MTV loses NZ host after less than a week on air

Phil Bostwick

Music television channel MTV has lost one of its New Zealand hosts less than a week after its launch.

Phil Bostwick, co-host of the music, culture and travel show Full Tank, told the Weekend Herald yesterday that he had left for personal reasons, but would not go into detail.

"I am sorry, but I am just keeping my mouth shut at this stage."

His departure leaves co-host Amber Peebles flying solo until a new face is chosen to help front the show.

MTV launched on Sky Digital channel 35 on Friday last week and Bostwick was at the time enthusiastic about his new job. "I would never have imagined I would get an opportunity like this in my lifetime," he told website Xtra MSN.

"I love music and to be working for the ultimate music channel is more than a dream come true for me, it will actually go down in history ... Amber and I will be forever known as the first ever MTV VJs in New Zealand."

Bostwick, 27, has fronted several shows since beginning his television career co-hosting music show Space with Jacqui Brown in 2002.

MTV publicist Michelle Camilleri yesterday said Bostwick had left the station on good terms.

Bostwick said he would continue his show on George FM and was "doing some writing".