Richard Wilkins' big night out with Russell Crowe after his Oscars win
While Richard Wilkins has been hosting Nine's coverage of the Oscars red carpet for two decades, one year sticks in his memory as being particularly unforgettable.
In 2001, Wilkins' second year hosting, he rubbed shoulders with the Hollywood elite on the red carpet before they went inside for the all important ceremony.
He spoke with actor Russell Crowe, who later won the Best Actor award for his performance in Gladiator.
Following the win, Wilkins and Crowe joined forces for the celebrations.
"I was fortunate enough to be hanging out with him and his posse that night, roaring around town," the journalist remembers with a cheeky grin on his face.
"When you win an Oscar, on Oscar night, the city is yours," says Dickie, before revealing they were driven around Los Angeles in two huge black SUVs to endless parties.
"Popping into Elton John's party and going here and there and everywhere."
Despite the fun and chaos of the afterparty, Wilkins explained that a lot of work goes into the coveted hosting gig.
"I would spend weeks beforehand ringing all the publicists and telling them where we were gonna be," he said.
Wilkins also shared that there a lot of people working behind the scenes on the big night, with producers feeding him information in an ear-piece before he conducts his interviews.
"Having producers in my ear and saying Nicole's just arrived, she's wearing a blue dress. She's coming down there and then doing radio interviews and things," he says.
"For me and my producer... you know you've earned your pay at the end of Oscars Day that's for sure."
Image credits: Nine