Richard “Dickie” Wilkins tells Woman’s Day it makes him “a bit cranky” when people assume that his 28-year-old son Christian has “had an easy ride” into the cut-throat entertainment biz.
“He’s following his dream,” the star says proudly of the model and aspiring actor, who is currently carving out a career for himself in the US.
“He worked really hard. To see him over there, settling in, making it his home, it’s what every parent wants.”
Despite being on opposite sides of the world, the pair still talk daily. “Just to say hi and love you,” says Christian – and to brainstorm for their popular podcast, The Apple & The Tree, on which they chat to famous Aussie families.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
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Christian says one of the biggest keys to the project’s success is the friendship he and his dad have developed over the years.
“That’s what makes working together so fun, we love each other as family but also as friends. The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree, we’re very similar and share a lot of interests, but ultimately, I think it comes down to the respect we have for each other,” he tells Woman’s Day.
Christian says he loves “seeing how much [other] people respect” his famous father too – especially their podcast guests, which have included Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell, the Veronicas and Blue Wiggles Anthony and Lucia Field.
“I launched their first album back in the day,” 70-year-old Dickie laughs. “We’ve got a photo somewhere of the original Wiggles with me holding Christian.”
FAMOUS FRIENDS
After the podcast’s success, it’s no surprise Dickie and Christian have a string of big stars lining up to appear on season two. But Aussie pop royalty Kylie Minogue is top of both their lists!
“I do believe it’s on her radar,” says Christian, who hung out with the singer and Richard at her show in Vegas in May.
“We caught up with her backstage,” Dickie shares. “She and [sister] Dannii have got lots of things on the go, but hopefully the stars will align there sometime.”
But, Dickie says, “We’ve got some really nice people on the list who’ve already agreed.”
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Christian is keen to embark on a TV project with Dickie some time too. “And then we’d have a styling budget and I could get him out of those skinny jeans,” jokes the star, who has co-presented the ARIAs red carpet with his dad in the past.
Father-of-five Dickie says it’s “a bit of a blurred line between work and pleasure” with Christian, who he shares with former wife Michelle Burke.
“We’ve done lots of things together, but this is something new and it’s brought us closer together.”
TV legend Dickie admits his true passion lies away from the cameras though. “My favourite thing in the world is when everybody’s together at the family house, and I can just lock the front door, and we’re all in here, that just makes my heart sing.”
Watch The Apple & The Tree on 9Now or listen to the podcast on all services now.
