Michael Henderson (broadcaster)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael "Hendi" Henderson is a Northern Irish broadcaster.
He is possibly best known for his voiceover work on UTV and his weekly radio programme on Belfast-based radio station U105.
Michael began his broadcasting days in the mid 1960s, working for the BBC Northern Ireland Home Service on various programmes,mainly as a link voice on a programme called Soundings. He became a well known figure on the Local Club (Marqee Club) and Disco scene, was guest presenter on many BBC Radio 1 road shows that came to Northern Ireland. Milano's in Belfast and The Arcadia in Portrush were the main venues. In 1968 Michael starred in an Ulster Television series called "Zoom In". The series was produced by Gordon Burns (Crypton Factor) & Tony Eames and featured short quirky film sketches.
In 1976 Michael was hired as a presenter on the fledgling Downtown Radio under the nickname "Hendi".He was there until 1985 and in subsequent years,he has also worked as a radio producer and stand-in presenter on BBC Radio Ulster.
In 1985 Michael worked on "Password" presented by Gordon Burns, as one of the production team and then two years later became a booker on "Kelly" By 1992, he began providing regular voicework for Ulster Television, as the station began more and more to re-voice programme trailers produced by ITV network companies, and later, the Network Promotions Unit, to remove references to ITV and replace them with mentions of "UTV".
Michael still regularly provides voiceovers for UTV programme trailers, along with the other members of the continuity announcer team based at UTV's studios at Havelock House.
In addition to providing trailer voiceovers, Michael Henderson's voice was heard in the introduction of UTV-produced series Kelly and All Mixed Up. He has also pre-recorded "start-up" announcements over a station ident, transmitted each morning at 09.25.
He has voiced many T.V and radio adverts, television programmes and corporate videos.
A five year spell in BBC N.I. television from 2000 - 2005 involved Hendi working as a celebrity booker for programmes such as Children in Need, Making a Difference,The Hot Press Rock Awards and many other light entertainment programmes.
2001 and 2002 saw a brief period of national exposure, as Michael Henderson was chosen as the voiceover artist and straight man on Patrick Kielty... Almost Live, a networked comedy chat show produced by BBC Northern Ireland. Hendi's links to introduce the guests on the programme were conducted in-vision, and Hendi would often have banter with Patrick at the start and end of each programme. Michael Henderson has also appeared in another networked BBC Northern Ireland co-production, "Just For Laughs".
In November 2005, Hendi returned to a regular weekly radio slot, as he formed part of the original U105 presenter line-up. His show, Hendi's Happy Weekend is broadcast on Saturday mornings between 10.00 and 14.00.
