Jeremy Mansfield
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Jeremy Mansfield is a South African radio host, television presenter and comedian. He is currently (2006) the morning show host of The Rude Awakening, on a Johannesburg-based radio station 94.7 Highveld Stereo.
Grahamstown-born Mansfield's broadcasting career started at Rhodes University in the same city, where he studied speech, journalism and drama. In 1985, while still a student, he started working for the Durban-based radio station Capital Radio 604. During the same year, he was awarded the AA Vita Award for the most promising young South African actor. In 1990, Mansfield left Capital Radio (then broadcasting from Johannesburg)when it closed and joined Primedia's 702 Talk Radio.
His popularity continued to grow and in 1993 he was appointed as the regular presenter of 702's Saturday afternoon magazine programme. Mansfield's then took over the 702 afternoon show in 1995.
His big breakthrough came in 1996 when he moved to Highveld Stereo where he started their top-rated weekday breakfast show, The Rude Awakening. He was also a features contributor and guest presenter on the M-Net television channel's Front Row and Supersport programmes. He is a part-time member of a boy-band Eastlife which he formed to raise funds for The Hear For Life Trust, a charity begun by 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Jeremy presented the popular television quiz show, A Word or 2, which ran for 9 seasons on SA television (2005). He currently presents Laugh Out Loud, a comedy show on M-Net. Each December he presents the Christmas Wish on television in conjunction with the Christmas Wish on his radio show.
Never afraid to poke sticks at political cows, Jeremy is being sued by disgraced deputy president Jacob Zuma and a government minister. His fearless attitude to many political hot potatoes and charity work has endeared him to millions of Joburgers. He has won Joburg’s Best Radio Personality every year since his show’s inception. Other awards include Best Radio Show and Most Popular Personality. He is the most acclaimed and award-winning radio personality in the country and a popular and familiar face in print and on television.
Jeremy ended up in court in 2003 when it was alleged that he assaulted a fast food franchise owner after he asked his wife to move her car which was parked in a space reserved for his customers. Mansfield claimed Jovaras said: "Look who I have just thrown out of my shop — the fat fuck Jeremy Mansfield." He said this loudly to people seated at the restaurant tables. This resulted in Mansfield filing a counter claim.
Meanwhile Jovaras claims he ended up with a swollen jaw, headache, dizziness and other aches and pains. He said he had to close down his business because he could not face customers' comments after the incident.
Mansfield was the only radio personality to make the controversial list of Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004. He was listed at 53rd.
Mansfield has released four CDs - "Raw", "Beer-ya-ti-ful"; "Even More Raw" and "Eastlife". He also has written three joke books one of which is a best seller.
He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease but a healthier lifestyle has it under control. He made many lifestyle changes in 2003 when he married Jacqui Thompson, a vegetarian, former game ranger and author.
