Biography of Giuliana DePandi

Unable to afford a tutor, the young Giuliana learned English by watching television. Not surprisingly she thinks this is indicative of the power of TV. "I always wanted a job in TV," says DePandi. "The women on TV were different from models or actresses."

DePandi went on to gain a masters degree in journalism and is now one of the most recognisable entertainment news anchors. Before moving to entertainment, however, DePandi did a stint in "serious" news reporting from Capitol Hill. "That was until I asked a senator what he did for fun", she recalls. "I asked him what movies he'd seen lately. After that my boss suggested I should work for MTV or E!"

Growing up in Italy DePandi thought highly of America's rich and famous. "As a European I always thought movie stars and Hollywood were amazing," she says happily demonstrating her obsession. "I know every celebrity, who they date, what they wear, what diet they're on... If I read something about George Clooney I will remember it in five years."

Being one herself, does DePandi feel celebrities are unfairly treated? "No. They have to take the good with the bad," she says. "Brad's put a tent up in his backyard so Angelina's kids can play without being photographed... I can't imagine being Angelina, I think it's sad but celebrities can't complain too much."

And DePandi has had her own run in with the tabloids. "A reporter once called my Dad and pretended to be a friend of mine," she says. "When the story came out he got the quotes wrong and my Dad was really upset. He thought he had let me down."

It sounds like a segment from Giuliana's own E! True Hollywood Story so we get talking about the flagship show. There's been too many for DePandi to recall her favourite although she did like the one about the Simpsons, the singing sisters that is, not the cartoon.

"The best part about E! True Hollywood Story," says Depandi, "is you might rate them (a celebrity) as a '5' or '6' before you watch, but after it's a '10'." And after our pleasant time together I now consider Giuliana DePandi a '9'.

Coming to an E! Channel near you: Wild On Tara starts September 3 at 10.30pm, the hideously privileged sons and daughters of famous folk take on farm life in Rich Kids: Cattle Drive September 9 at 9.30pm, reality TV stars feature in horror film in Kill Reality October 3 at 9.30pm, and Girls of the layboy Mansion is slated to kick off in February next year.