Smooth FM’s Simon Diaz: “This has truly been the best job I’ve ever had”

Simon Diaz. Image supplied by NOVA Entertainment

Smooth FM Afternoons host Simon Diaz is an easygoing guy. So I’m sure he won’t mind me cutting straight to the chase and starting this profile piece with one of my all-time favourite radio tales – the sad demise of his cardboard ‘twin.’ A True Crime story for the ages.

For years, a life-sized replica of Simon used to occupy the corridors of Melbourne’s Smooth 91.5 (a bit disconcerting if you happened to be the breakfast newsreader arriving in the wee small hours!)

One day, the cardboard cutout came home with Simon, taking pride of place on his family’s deck.

That was until his son had one hundred people over to celebrate his 18^th birthday.

“I was abducted and went missing,” Simon says drily.

“Apparently it was a laugh on social media. Simon the cardboard cutout was appearing all over the place and in some compromising situations.”

“My body was returned but my head is still missing.”

Rest assured, the real Simon not only has his head intact, his feet are firmly planted on the ground.

GfK Survey 4 saw Simon continue his reign as Sydney’s #1 FM host in Afternoons, with a healthy 14.0 share. He was also one of the driving forces in Smooth snatching the crown from 2GB as the city’s #1 station overall.

Ask Simon what it all means to him, and he’s quick to deflect attention away from himself.

“Obviously high ratings make me happy but I’m totally aware that it’s not entirely me,” Simon tells Radio Today.

“I’m the friendly guy who strings it all together, but the real star of Smooth is our content.”

And by content, Simon means the music – and the meticulous way it’s put together and presented.

Going into work every day is a genuine pleasure.

“I love Smooth because of the people,” says Simon. “Everyone knows their role so well and the best bit is that we all try and execute it to the highest of standards.”

“Another bonus is that the team is made up with some radio legends, so we totally trust each other.”

Simon believes Smooth’s success is, in part, thanks to a lot of brilliant content-driven FM counterparts.

“There is a lot of noise and talk out there so Smooth stands out as a good alternative to get away from all the hype.”

“We also have an outstanding leader who’s a real fan of what we do and the whole station. Peter Clay is a big part of the success.”

The son of Spanish immigrants, Simon’s parents arrived in Australia in the late 1950s and settled in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine.

“At that time, it was very working class with many factories, which my parents worked in,” says Simon.

“After a few moves, they bought some land in Glen Waverley and built our family home.”

Far from even thinking about a future in radio, the priority for young Simon back then was mastering English.

“I was still talking a mix of Catalan and Spanish in Prep and Grade 1,” he says.

Inspired by his dad – a passionate wine collector – Simon hoped to one day open his own wine shop.

In 1985, when Simon was fourteen, a family friend got him involved with an aspiring community radio station in Dandenong.

The radio bug bit him hard.

“In between my start in commercial radio, I did a little nightclub DJing and mobile disco, hence my nickname ‘Disco.’”

Simon also worked on-air across community radio stations 3SER, 3RPP and the iconic youth station HitzFM.

“My first big break in radio was thanks to Ty Frost (thanks Ty!) who was leaving 3SH in Swan Hill.”

“I got a call from Bob at the Bob Taylor Announcers Academy that they needed a newbie. I got in the car that day, drove up there and got the job.”

“It was the best job, as you had to do everything from writing the copy, voicing and producing the copy to presenting various sports shows I had no idea about.”

When it comes to mentors, Simon says “I’ve had many radio people influence and guide me, from Barry Bissell to Bert Newton.”

“I grew up listening to greats like John Peters, Richard and Peter Stubbs, Tim Smith – who is one of the most brilliant radio minds – and Peter Harrison, and got to work with them.”

Tim Smith is equally glowing in his assessment of Simon.

The comedian and former Melbourne Breakfast host tells Radio Today “Simon is by far the best anchor I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He is funny, generous, coolheaded, intelligent and always professional.”

“He is one of those rare folk who make a good show great.”

Outside radio, there’ll likely be travel in Simon’s future.

“With two sons who are now in their early twenties and no grandchildren on the horizon yet, my wife and I are planning on towing the caravan a lot more around our awesome country.”

“I hope to be with Smooth a little longer. It truly has been the best job I’ve ever had and I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”

*Images: Facebook and NOVA Entertainment