Tim Harding was a social work student who couldn't dance, but ended up as the central member of an all-singing, all-dancing Australian family show.

Steve Pratt talks to Tim about TV success which has now become a stage show.

TIM Harding knew he wanted to help people and make a difference. His way of doing it - as a presenter of hit Australian TV children's show Hi-5 - isn't the most likely one, but is a remarkably successful one.

Since 1999, the show has found worldwide success and picked up numerous awards, while turning Harding and the other presenters into celebrities. Over here, Hi-5 is the top-rated show on five's Milkshake strand, and is now taking to the stage after hit tours in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The UK tour includes dates in York and Newcastle.

"When you go into hospitals and places like that, you really get to see what a difference you're making in the lives of children," says Harding, who abandoned his university studies to become a social worker to join the Hi-5 team.

"There have been times we've turned up at a hospital and met a child, and had the mother come up and say, 'that's the first time she's smiled in six months'. To know that sort of thing is to know you're achieving something. Just to see their faces light up when you walk into the room."

Hi-5, for those who haven't come across it in its early breakfast-time slot on five, is aimed at two to eight-year-olds, although adults appear to be as keen on watching as their children.

Harding - plus fellow presenters Nathan Foley, Kellie Hoggart, Kathleen De Leon and Charli Robinson - sing, dance and tell stories aimed at encouraging youngsters to join in and learn at home. It's unrelentingly bright, colourful and cheery.

Harding, 25, went through a lengthy audition process before being picked as one of the original Hi-5 team. "I can't say it was anything like Pop Idol, but I guess it was a bit of fun," he says. "There were about 200 people auditioning. They were whittled down to about 20 and then they broke us down into groups of five - and we were the ones they chose."

He was already performing as a singer, musician and actor but never imagined he'd get the job, mainly because his dancing skills weren't too apparent. "I didn't think I was a particularly good dancer. I'd never really danced in my life until the audition," he admits.

"When I got asked back for the second audition, I was pretty amazed, considering everyone else there. They were all so good-looking and talented."

He'd been playing in a band for four years as well as small acting roles, in Home And Away and commercials, and studying at university. He gave up his studies to join the TV show, and wasn't that shocked at its success. "When I read the script, I thought, 'this could be huge'. It seemed a great concept. Before doing the show, the creators went overseas to see other programmes, and when they wrote it there was nothing like it in the world," he says. "When it really took off we were all just over the moon, although I wasn't that surprised."

The show hasn't changed much in five years on air - and that, he believes, is one of its strengths. "We knew we were on to something and were doing something right, and didn't want to stray from that," he adds. "Hi-5 has always had a strong core in education, to do a show that educates and is fun for two to eight-year-olds. We knew if we could do that successfully, it would bring other people in as well. Half the audience is over 18 because parents watch as well."

Harding worked in child care as a student, looking after youngsters in a council-run after-school programme.

Although he was studying social work, he could never really see himself as a social worker so combining entertainment and education proved the perfect solution.

And his dancing has improved thanks to his fiancee, whom he marries in April. "Over the last few years, she's helped me out no end with my dancing," he says.

The enormous success of Hi-5 means he's become a huge celebrity in Australia, sacrificing his anonymity. "When you first experience it, it's a bit of a novelty and lots of fun. After a while I began to resent it a little bit, but I'm fine with it now. I love the kids."

The show is a full-time occupation. Occasionally, he'll pull out his guitar and try to write a song, but most of the year is taken up with Hi-5 - filming 45 episodes for TV, touring in the concert version and personal appearances.

"As long as the fans still love us and the kids are still into it, I think we'll keep going. I've just signed up for another few years," he says.

* Hi-5 Alive! plays at Newcastle City Hall on March 2, 0191-261 2606, and York Grand Opera House on March 8 and 9, 0870 606 3595.

Published: 15/01/2004