# Dominic Bowden > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dominic_Bowden > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dominic_Bowden.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Bowden > Source revision: 1354610618 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) New Zealand television presenter (born 1977) Dominic Bowden Born Dominic Joseph Bowden (1977-12-15) 15 December 1977 (age 48) Auckland, New Zealand Occupation Host Years active 1999–present Spouse Claire Robbie ​ ​ (m. 2008; div. 2012)​ **Dominic Joseph Bowden** (born 15 December 1977) is a New Zealand television personality, host and voice actor. He is best known as the host of New Zealand reality series including *[New Zealand Idol](/source/New_Zealand_Idol), [Dancing with the Stars New Zealand](/source/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(New_Zealand_TV_series)) and [The X Factor New Zealand](/source/The_X_Factor_(New_Zealand))*. When based in Los Angeles, he hosted the American reality music competition show, *[The Next Great American Band](/source/The_Next_Great_American_Band)* and as a Hollywood reporter for the [Erin Simpson show](/source/WhitebaitMedia).[1][2] Bowden has been called "New Zealand's [Ryan Seacrest](/source/Ryan_Seacrest)."[3] ## Early life Bowden was born in [Auckland](/source/Auckland), New Zealand, where he attended [Sacred Heart College](/source/Sacred_Heart_College%2C_Auckland). His parents are a surveyor and a business manager.[3] Bowden is a graduate of the [Auckland University of Technology](/source/Auckland_University_of_Technology), with a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in Television which he achieved in 2000.[4][5] ## Career After graduating from [AUT](/source/Auckland_University_of_Technology), Bowden began hosting the popular Saturday morning Children's television programme, *[Squirt](/source/Squirt_(New_Zealand_show))* for [TVNZ](/source/TVNZ).[3] Bowden then moved into live television on the weekly late-night music show Space.[6] He also traveled the country with British popstar, [Robbie Williams](/source/Robbie_Williams) for a television special, *Robbie Williams: Be Here Now*.[7] Bowden, then moved to [Australia](/source/Australia) and into radio, working as a roving nightly reporter for [Austereo](/source/Austereo), on [2Day FM](/source/2Day_FM).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Then in 2004, it was announced Bowden would return to New Zealand as the sole host of *[New Zealand Idol](/source/New_Zealand_Idol)* for [TVNZ](/source/TVNZ). The *Idol* series one grand final was watched by a quarter of the country's population.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] During this time, for six months Bowden hosted his own nightly radio show for [MediaWorks Radio](/source/MediaWorks_Radio) on [More FM](/source/More_FM), called Most Wanted.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He also appeared as a contestant on [Celebrity Treasure Island: Series 1](/source/Treasure_Island_(show)) and Shock Treatment.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] As well as hosting the successful game-shows, *[Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader](/source/Are_You_Smarter_than_a_Fifth_Grader)* and *Dare to Win*, which had a similar format to *[Minute to Win It](/source/Minute_to_Win_It)*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Bowden has worked as a reporter for the magazine news show *[20/20 (US television series)](/source/20%2F20_(US_television_series))*, traveling to Los Angeles to interview [Ryan Seacrest](/source/Ryan_Seacrest) for a television special in New Zealand.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Shortly after, Bowden signed with Seacrest's then agent [William Morris Endeavor](/source/William_Morris_Endeavor) and moving to Los Angeles. He was selected by *[American Idol](/source/American_Idol)* executive producers [Nigel Lythgoe](/source/Nigel_Lythgoe) and [Ken Warwick](/source/Ken_Warwick) to host "[The Next Great American Band](/source/The_Next_Great_American_Band)", which was cancelled after one season.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2014, Bowden co-hosted the all access show with [Lacey Schwimmer](/source/Lacey_Schwimmer) for [Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 19)](/source/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._season_19)).[8] Bowden was the sole host of the [first](/source/The_X_Factor_(New_Zealand_series_1)) and [second](/source/The_X_Factor_(New_Zealand_series_2)) series of the New Zealand version of *[X Factor](/source/The_X_Factor_(New_Zealand_TV_series))*. He was also the host of the revived sixth season of *[Dancing with the Stars](/source/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(New_Zealand_TV_series))* in New Zealand, alongside [Sharyn Casey](/source/Sharyn_Casey).[9] Both of these shows aired on [TV3](/source/TV3_(New_Zealand)). Bowden was the host of [The Hype](/source/The_Hype_(2015_TV_series)) on the [E! Network](/source/E!) in Australia and New Zealand, alongside [Ksenija Lukich](/source/Ksenija_Lukich).[10] The show first aired October 2015, but is no longer screening on E!. ### Other work Bowden has co-hosted the televised [Qantas Television Awards](/source/Qantas_Television_Awards), [New Zealand Music Awards](/source/New_Zealand_Music_Awards), Girlfriend Model Search, NZ Color Trophy Awards and the Christmas at St Matthews Music Special. He has also been enlisted as a weekly columnist for the *[New Zealand Woman's Weekly](/source/New_Zealand_Woman's_Weekly)*, *New Idea* and *The TV Guide*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He appeared on *[Shortland Street](/source/Shortland_Street)*'s 15th anniversary show. He has done voice over work for Bond and Bond and [Burger King](/source/Burger_King), as well as appearing in numerous TV commercials, as well as narrator for season 2 of *[IRT World Deadliest Roads](/source/Ice_Road_Truckers)*[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]. As an actor, Bowden appeared in the independent feature *[The Devil Dared Me To](/source/The_Devil_Dared_Me_To)*. The film had its world premiere at Austin's *[South by Southwest Festival](/source/South_by_Southwest_Festival)* and received a standing ovation. In addition to his film role, he had small roles on the television series *[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys](/source/Hercules%3A_The_Legendary_Journeys)*, *[Xena: Warrior Princess](/source/Xena%3A_Warrior_Princess)* and *[Shortland Street](/source/Shortland_Street)*. He also played himself on *[Go Girls](/source/Go_Girls)*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He also interviewed stars for between-movie fillers on [Sky Television](/source/SKY_TV_(New_Zealand)).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Personal life Bowden married [TV3](/source/TV3_(New_Zealand)) reporter Claire Robbie in 2008. The couple separated and divorced in 2012.[11] During the filming of Bachelor New Zealand, it was revealed that Bowden had briefly dated one of the contestants.[12][13] Bowden's family are [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church), and he attends mass when he is in New Zealand.[3] ## Filmography Year Title Role Note 1996 Squirt Host [2] 2000 I Got 2 Babe Singer [2] 2000-2001 Space Host [2] 2001 Celebrity Treasure Island Contestant Was eliminated after first episode.[2] 2004-2012 Close Up Reporter [2] 2005-2006 New Zealand Idol Host [2] 2006 Shock Treatment Cast [2] 2007 Shortland Street - 15th Anniversary Special Presenter [2] 2007 Are You Smarter Than A Ten Year Old? Presenter [2] 2007 The Next Great American Band Host [2] 2008 Dare to Win Host [2] 2009-2013 The Erin Simpson Show Reporter [2] 2013-2015 The X Factor (NZ) Host [2] 2015 Dancing with the Stars Host [2] 2015-2016 The Hype Host [2] 2017 The Bachelor New Zealand Host [2] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Dominic Bowden steps up his hosting game with new job at E! in Sydney, Australia"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/94703092/dominic-bowden-steps-up-his-hosting-game-with-new-job-at-e-in-sydney-australia). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:0_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-:0_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-:0_2-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-:0_2-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-:0_2-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-:0_2-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-:0_2-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-:0_2-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-:0_2-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-:0_2-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-:0_2-16) ["Dominic Bowden"](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/dominic-bowden/screenography). *www.nzonscreen.com*. Retrieved 23 October 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_3-3) ["Dom Bowden is back: The reinvention of a reality TV king"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/300434309/dom-bowden-is-back-the-reinvention-of-a-reality-tv-king). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_4-0)** ["Dom Bowden is back: The reinvention of a reality TV king"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/300434309/dom-bowden-is-back-the-reinvention-of-a-reality-tv-king). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["TV3 Announces Dominic Bowden as Host of the X Factor NZ"](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1210/S00400/tv3-announces-dominic-bowden-as-host-of-the-x-factor-nz.htm). *www.scoop.co.nz*. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Space | Series | Television"](https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/space-2000/series). *www.nzonscreen.com*. Retrieved 24 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Dominic Bowden | National Anthem"](http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_minisite_story_skin/423235). *tvnz.co.nz*. Retrieved 24 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Dominic Bowden lands big break on US television"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/dominic-bowden-lands-big-break-on-us-television/ZZU5I3WSKDS33RG4IH234ZCFKY/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Retrieved 23 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Dancing with the Stars NZ | The Hosts"](http://www.tv3.co.nz/Shows/DancingWithTheStarsNZ/Cast/Hosts.aspx). *www.tv3.co.nz*. Retrieved 21 April 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Josie. ["'The Hype': Ksenija Lukich and Dominic Bowden - NEW E! Show"](http://www.josiesjuice.net/2015/10/the-hype-ksenija-lukich-and-dominic.html). Retrieved 24 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["The Diary: Dominic Bowden 'too busy to look for love'"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10876956). 12 April 2013 – via [The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Bachelorette admits she used to date host Dominic Bowden"](https://www.zmonline.com/spy/bachelorette-admits-she-used-to-date-host-dominic-bowden/). *ZM*. Retrieved 23 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The Bachelor Recap: Karina reveals she dated host Dominic Bowden, and chaos ensues"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/91638026/the-bachelor-recap-who-dated-dominic-bowden). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2021. ## External links - [Dominic Bowden](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1012950/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [Dominic Bowden profile at Karen Kay Management](https://web.archive.org/web/20070913003440/http://www.actors.co.nz/people/viewAnybody.aspx?anybodyId=46672) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dominic Bowden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Bowden) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Bowden?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.