Gerry Kelly (broadcaster)

Gerry Kelly
Born 20 September 1948
Northern Ireland
Occupation Television presenter
Children 2 daughters

Gerry Kelly (born 20 September 1948) is a broadcaster from Northern Ireland. He is best known for his presenting career at UTV.

Contents

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]

The first edition of the broadcaster's weekly talk/variety show series, Kelly, was broadcast in September 1989.[2] In 1999, he memorably inteviewed a 9 year old Rory McIlroy after he had won the world under 10s championship. The series reached its 500th episode in 2003,[3] and the highest-rated edition of Kelly was broadcast on Friday 10 November 2000, when a special edition dedicated to George Best was watched by 367,000 viewers.[4] The end of the Kelly series was announced by UTV in 2005.[5] Despite calls to save the series from ending,[6] the final episode of Kelly was transmitted on 16 December 2005.[7]

However, three months after the cancellation of Kelly, a new series, Gerry Meets... was launched.[8] The series concentrated on one-to-one interviews with guests.[9]

Kelly also presented the series Lifestyle, Kelly's People, Kelly on Tour, Kelly on the Road,[2] What Next?,[10] Get It Right Next Time[11] and Pick of the Six for Ulster Television.[12]

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."[13]

In March 2009, it was announced that Kelly would be joining BBC Radio Ulster to present a Saturday afternoon programme, commencing in April.[14]

Personal life

Before his career in broadcasting, Kelly worked 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.[1]

Kelly is the brother of former Down GAA goalkeeper Danny Kelly.[1] He is married with two daughters and he lives in Ardglass.[15]

External links

References

  1. ^ a b c Sunday Life: "Oh brother! Big TV break was a complete fluke...": dated 8 October 2008; accessed 18 January 2008
  2. ^ a b c d Belfast Telegraph: "Kelly: The man who talked the talk with celebrities": dated 9 January 2008; accessed 18 January 2009
  3. ^ BFI Database: "Kelly" 24/1/2003 500th Show: accessed 19 January 2009
  4. ^ Belfast Telegraph: "By George, Gerry's show scores as the Best attraction"; dated 15 November 2000, retrieved 11 January 2008
  5. ^ Belfast Telegraph: "Curtain falls on the Kelly Show"; dated 1 September 2005, retrieved 11 January 2008
  6. ^ Belfast Telegraph: "Plea to save programmes from axe"; dated 22 October 2005, retrieved 11 January 2008
  7. ^ Sunday Life: "Corr! What a line-up as Kelly bows out": dated 11 December 2005, accessed 18 January 2009
  8. ^ Belfast Telegraph: "Friday night comeback for TV host Gerry": dated 1 March 2006; accessed 18 January 2009
  9. ^ Belfast Telegraph: "Let's talk": dated 25 February 2006; accessed 18 January 2009
  10. ^ BFI Film & TV Database: What Next?: accessed 19 January 2009
  11. ^ BFI Film & TV Database: Get It Right Next Time: accessed 19 January 2009
  12. ^ UK Game Shows: Pick of the Six: accessed 18 January 2009
  13. ^ Belfast Telegraph: "It's time to move on, says UTV's Kelly: dated 8 January 2008
  14. ^ BBC Press Officer: "Radio Ulster welcomes Gerry Kelly to its Saturday schedule": dated 5 March 2009; accessed 6 March 2009
  15. ^ [1] u.tv: Gerry Kelly profile