Gerry Kelly (broadcaster)
| Gerry Kelly | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 20 September 1948 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Residence | Ardglass, Northern Ireland |
| Occupation | Broadcaster and journalist |
| Known for | Kelly |
| Spouse(s) | Helena |
| Children | 2 daughters |
Gerry Kelly (born 20 September 1948) is a Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist, best known for his presenting career at UTV and currently at BBC Radio Ulster.
Early life
Kelly was born in Belfast on the 20 September 1948. He is the brother of former Down GAA goalkeeper Danny Kelly.[1] He went on to work as a teacher and a lecturer at St. Mary's College in Belfast.[2] He also worked as a leisure development officer for Belfast City Council, before going into broadcasting and journalism.
Broadcasting career
Kelly's broadcasting career began at Ulster Television as a part-time GAA reporter, but left the station quickly after being blacklisted by the National Union of Journalists.[1] Following a year's work experience at the Down Recorder, he returned to UTV in 1979 as a reporter, and later presenter, of its evening magazine programme, Good Evening Ulster,.[2] Kelly also presented the series Lifestyle, Kelly's People, Kelly on Tour, Kelly on the Road,[2] What Next?,[3] Get It Right Next Time[4] and Pick of the Six for Ulster Television.[5]
He later went on to host the popular talk and variey show, Kelly, which ran from 1989 until it ended in 2005.[6][7][8] After the cancellation of Kelly, a new series, Gerry Meets... was launched.[9] The series concentrated on one-to-one interviews with guests.[10]
In January 2008, it was reported that Kelly had left UTV. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Kelly said, "I'm leaving UTV on amicable terms and I have nothing but the highest regard for them. As far as I'm concerned, they gave me one of the best jobs in the world and I'm grateful to them for that."[11]
In March 2009, it was announced that Kelly would be joining BBC Radio Ulster to present a Saturday afternoon programme, commencing in April.[12] Kelly replaced the Alan Simpson show on BBC Radio Ulster he is on air from 15:00 - 17:00 on Friday Afternoons.
Personal life
He is married with two daughters and he lives in Ardglass.[13]
His youngest daughter Claire is a member of the Dublin Gospel Choir.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sunday Life: "Oh brother! Big TV break was a complete fluke...": dated 8 October 2008; accessed 18 January 2008
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Belfast Telegraph: "Kelly: The man who talked the talk with celebrities": dated 9 January 2008; accessed 18 January 2009
- ↑ BFI Film & TV Database: What Next?: accessed 19 January 2009
- ↑ BFI Film & TV Database: Get It Right Next Time: accessed 19 January 2009
- ↑ UK Game Shows: Pick of the Six: accessed 18 January 2009
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph: "Curtain falls on the Kelly Show"; dated 1 September 2005, retrieved 11 January 2008
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph: "Plea to save programmes from axe"; dated 22 October 2005, retrieved 11 January 2008
- ↑ Sunday Life: "Corr! What a line-up as Kelly bows out": dated 11 December 2005, accessed 18 January 2009
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph: "Friday night comeback for TV host Gerry": dated 1 March 2006; accessed 18 January 2009
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph: "Let's talk": dated 25 February 2006; accessed 18 January 2009
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph: "It's time to move on, says UTV's Kelly: dated 8 January 2008
- ↑ BBC Press Officer: "Radio Ulster welcomes Gerry Kelly to its Saturday schedule": dated 5 March 2009; accessed 6 March 2009
- ↑ u.tv: Gerry Kelly profile (archived version)
External links
- Gerry Kelly at BBC Radio Ulster
- Gerry Kelly at the Internet Movie Database
