Tom Tilley (television presenter)

Interested in journalism from a young age, Tilley undertook work experience at a radio station and for a newspaper during high school, but was initially discouraged by relatives from pursuing it as a career due to the difficulties in finding work within the industry.[2] He worked as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank for two years after graduating from Macquarie University before choosing to change career paths.[1] After travelling overseas and teaching himself video editing skills, Tilley decided that journalism was what he ultimately wanted to break into.[1]

Tilley began working at the ABC in late 2005, undertaking secretarial work in its newsroom as a casual employee.[1] He later moved into radio presenting, first during the late-night 'graveyard shift', and later as a talk-back presenter.[2] In 2007, Tilley succeeded in landing a role as a reporter for daily Triple J news and current affairs radio program Hack, initially answering phone calls from listeners and working as an off location reporter from the Northern Territory.[1][2] In 2011, he became host of the program, a role which he held until 2019.[1][3] In 2014, Tilley hosted the first of a number of live studio-based debate and discussion forums broadcast on TV station ABC2.[4] As of July 2017, Tilley has hosted nine of these specials, including five under the Hack Live brand.[5]

Tilley announced in November 2019 that would be stepping down from hosting Hack at the end of the year. He would begin a new role as a contributor and part time host for Network 10's The Project, a program he had previously appeared on as a guest presenter throughout 2019. Prior to leaving the ABC, Tilley also filled-in as host of ABC radio program PM and was the reporter in an episode of current affairs program Foreign Correspondent.[3][6]

Tilley has also been a fill in presenter on the Nine Network's Today Extra.

Tilley grew up in Mudgee, NSW with his parents and three brothers.[1] He attended Mudgee High School where he became school captain.[7]

Tilley’s father was the Pastor of the Mudgee congregation of Revival Centres International, a fundamentalist Pentecostal church established in Melbourne in the 1950s. Tilley effectively left the church when he moved to Sydney to study, formally doing so at age 21.[8]

Following high school, he moved to Newport, Sydney to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University.[1][9] He now resides in Tamarama.[1]

Tilley is a bassist for Client Liaison during their live performances,[1] and also has experience as a DJ.[10] In 2016, he was a finalist in the Cleo Bachelor of the Year award.[11]

• Tom Tilley's profile on Triple J