Mark Pilgrim (presenter)

Mark Pilgrim as the host of South Africa's Power of 10 TV game show

Mark Pilgrim (born September 20, 1969) is one of the most recognisable personalities in South Africa^{[citation needed]}. He has hosted numerous radio and television shows over the years, most notably as a DJ on 5FM, 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 Kfm as well as the host of Big Brother (South Africa) and the Power of 10.

Radio career

Mark Pilgrim joined 5FM in 1995.^{[citation needed]}

After 9 years they parted ways and he joined 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg.^{[citation needed]} In October 2007 Mark hosted the first chart show to be broadcast on 2 radio stations simultaneously . Take40sa (Saturdays 10-2 pm) can now be heard on 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 Kfm in the Cape. He also currently hosts the Afternoon Drive Show on 94.7 Highveld Stereo.^{[citation needed]}

Television career

New Moves (e-TV: 1999-2000)
Big Brother South Africa 1 (MNET: 2001)
Big Brother South Africa 2 (MNET: 2002)
Big Brother Africa 1 (DStv: 2003)
Retail Therapy (MNET: 2002 - 2005)
Face 2 Face (SABC2: 2004)
Sex Etc. (MNET: 2005)
Blue Wave (CORPORATE: 2004-current)
What's Brewing (CORPORATE: 2007-2008)
Power of 10 (MNET: 2008)

Other work

In addition, he is a regular DJ at nightclubs around the country. He is also an experienced corporate deejay, entertaining delegates at numerous functions over the years.

As a voice artist, Mark also spends a lot of his working day in post production studios, narrating radio and TV commercials. Mark is a well-polished MC, having hosted numerous corporate gala evenings.

He is also a motivational speaker, sharing his story on testicular cancer, how he overcame it and how it pushed him to follow his dreams.

Consumer Researcher

Before getting involved in the entertainment industry, Mark completed a B.Com in Industrial Psychology and Business Economics, and was a quantitative consumer researcher for 9 years. He started at Market Research Africa, and then moved onto Research International and finally Kauffman Levine. Mark was also the Johannesburg Chairman of the South African Market Research Association (SAMRA).

Cancer

Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 testicular cancer in 1988. It was an aggressive form of cancer and spread to his lungs and kidneys. After 9 months of chemotherapy he was declared to be in remission. Mark is now an ambassador for CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) and a friend of the Reach for a Dream Foundation.

Heart attack

On 14 July 2008, one episode into the recording of South Africa's biggest ever game show, the Power of 10, Mark suffered a sudden and severe heart attack. The condition was precipitated by extremely high cholesterol brought on by a genetic condition. Two weeks after the heart attack, Mark was able to resume filming of the Power of 10. With the help of medication, he now continues to lead a normal life.

Family

Mark married Nicole Torres in Mauritius on 7 July 2007. Their daughter Tayla-Jean was born in April 2010.

External links

• 94.7 Highveld Stereo's website
• 94.5 Kfm's website
• Mark Pilgrim's website

Persondata
Name	Pilgrim, Mark
Alternative names	Baldy
Short description	South African Radio & Television Presenter
Date of birth	September 20, 1969
Place of birth	Thurrock, England
Date of death
Place of death