Darren "Whackhead" Simpson

Darren "Whackhead" Simpson (born 19 April 1977) is a radio presenter (as of 2015) working for Primedia,[2] a broadcasting company that owns the radio stations 947 and 94.5 Kfm in South Africa (among others).

Darren "Whackhead" Simpson
Born
Darren Simpson

(1977-04-19) 19 April 1977[1]
Durban, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Other namesWhackhead
Occupation
  • Radio presenter
  • Comedian
  • Phone prankster
EmployerPrimedia Broadcasting
(94.7 Highveld Stereo & K-FM)
Known for
  • Radio show presenting
  • Radio phone pranking
  • Stand-up comedy
Spouse(s)Samantha Teixeira (m. 2010)

Radio career

Since Monday 2 August 2010, Simpson hosted 94.7's morning show Breakfast Xpress.[3] The show was previously hosted by Jeremy Mansfield under the name The Rude Awakening. The Breakfast Xpress Team changed time slots with Anele Mdoda and the 947 Drive Team on 3 April 2017 and now runs under the name 947 Xpress Drive.[4] In January 2018, Simpson left the 94.7 Drive Team to host the 94.5 KFM Breakfast Show. He was to hand over the reins to Greg and Lucky.

Simpson's prank call slot titled Whackhead's Window on the World continues on both 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg, and Kfm Breakfast (hosted by Ryan O'Connor) in Cape Town. [5] His pranks are available for podcast on a daily basis by the radio stations.[6][7]

Simpson has also co-starred with Mansfield on the M-Net hidden camera show, Laugh Out Loud.[8]

Tom Cruise scam

On 27 January 2009, Simpson scammed Australia's radio breakfast duo, Kyle and Jackie O, making them believe that they were interviewing Tom Cruise about the film Valkyrie.[9] The Australian show had ridiculed some of Simpson's pranks in the past, and he had been planning the prank for about two months. Once on air, Simpson announced that they had been scammed and congratulated the Proteas cricket team on their victory over the Australian side on the day before. The Australian station, 2Day FM, had spent approximately AUD$150 000 on advertising the interview in the preceding weeks. Simpson commented that the entire prank cost him about R 60 for the phone call.

Discography

Since 2004, Simpson has put together a yearly CD compilation of his pranks, as heard on 94.7. Following is a list of all his releases, as of 2011:

  • The Best of Whack Head's Prank Calls
Released: 2004[10]
Number of discs: 1
  • Oh My Greatness Hits!
Released: 2005[11]
Number of discs: 2
  • Serial Prankster
Released: 2007-11-05[12]
Number of discs: 2
This is the first album to offer bonus tracks from its official website.[13]
  • Off the Hook
Released: 2008
Number of discs: 2
  • Thrown in the Deep End
Released: 2009
Number of discs: 2
  • Phowned
Released: 2010
Number of discs: 2
  • Epic Fail
Released: 2011
Number of discs: 2

Biography

Simpson was born on 19 April 1977,[1] in Durban, South Africa.

On 2 February 2010, he announced his engagement to Samantha Teixeira. The wedding took place on 25 September 2010.[14]

References
  1. Presenters: Jeremy Mansfield et al. (18 April 2008). The Rude Awakening. Johannesburg, South Africa. 70 minutes in. 947.
  2. "Primedia Website". Primedia. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  3. "Whackhead has own breakfast menu". Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  4. "Darren "Whackhead" Simpson shifts to the afternoon drive". Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  5. "Darren Whackhead Simpson". Jam Ally Entertainment. Archived from the original on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  6. "94.7 Highveld Stereo – Podcast page". 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  7. "94.5 KFM – Podcast page". 94.5 KFM. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  8. "Darren Simpson". TVSA. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  9. "MSN news article". MSN. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  10. Best of WHACK HEAD's Prank Calls, The (Compact Disc). Simpson, Darren "Whackhead". All Tracks C Control. 2004.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. Oh My Greatness Hits! (Compact Disc). Simpson, Darren "Whackhead". 2005.CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. Serial Prankster (Compact Disc). Simpson, Darren "Whackhead". 2007.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. "94.7 Highveld Stereo – Serial Prankster (Official Site)". 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Archived from the original on 14 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  14. Presenters: Jeremy Mansfield et al. (8 February 2010). The Rude Awakening. Johannesburg, South Africa. 75 minutes in. 94.7 Highveld Stereo.
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