Chris was an Anglia Television continuity announcer (1963) and programme presenter who went on to front popular children’s shows such as Clapperboard (ITV), holiday must-see show Wish You Were Here? (ITV, 1976 – 1987) and gastronaut’s bible, Food and Drink (BBC).
…Morgan, Lyn
Lyn’s broadcasting career began in radio, with a presenting job at Swansea Sound (May 1978 – July 1982). He then moved to BBC Wales TV, to a continuity director/announcer position (1982 – mid-1990s). He then switched from an on-air role to management. In July 2000, he set up Lyn Morgan Media Consulting and went freelance as a crisis communications and media specialist.
He then spent a number of years at Aberystwyth University (September 2009 – December 2013), initially as head of communications and public affairs and then director of communications. He returned to BBC Wales in February 2014, as an interim senior communications manager, and then communications and engagement manager.
In August 2016, Lyn returned to an on-air role at BBC Wales.
Radley, Gordon
Gordon was a continuity announcer for both TVS and Anglia Television. He later read the overnight news bulletins on Sky News. His career in broadcasting spans 30 years and has seen him present for ITN, Meridian, Grampian, HTV, LBC, BBC West and BBC South.
He also now adds investment banker to his repertoire.
Paton, Isla
Isla was a BBC TV network announcer (mid-1990s). She then moved to Channel 4 (January 1999 – present) where she’s been an announcer on Channel 4, E4 (she was also the launch voice for the channel), 4Music and More4.
Reed, David
David was a BBC TV (voice-only) network announcer (1968 – 1969). He later voiced BBC TV programme trails (1972). He is the brother of actor Oliver and sports broadcaster Simon.
Watkins, Kathleen
Kathleen was the first continuity announcer to appear on Teilifís Éireann on 31st December 1961. She joined the station at the same time as fellow announcers Marie O’Sullivan and Nuala Donnelly. Kathleen also presented programmes for Radio Éireann in the early 1960s. She is married to Gay Byrne.
Pamplin, Kevin
Kevin was a Channel TV announcer and presenter who is best known for his partnership with the station’s birthday greetings mascot, Oscar Puffin.
Kennedy, Mary
Mary was born in 1956 in Clondalkin, Dublin. She was an announcer on RTÉ TV from 1978 until 1992, covering both channels. She moved to the news division, fronting news bulletins on TV and radio from 1992. In 1995 Mary presented the Eurovision Song Contest from Dublin. She went on to become involved in a number of TV productions, including her own Saturday night chat show, Kennedy in 1997. From the late-1990s until 2004, Mary co-hosted the daytime TV programme, Open House. She is now a presenter on the regional magazine programme, Nationwide.
Easton, Peter
Peter currently works as a continuity announcer/director on BBC One Scotland. The role previously also covered BBC Two Scotland but that channel was replaced by the network version of BBC Two, just prior to the launch of the BBC Scotland channel. Although the dedicated Scottish content channel has its own team of announcers, some BBC One Scotland voices can also be heard on the BBC Scotland channel.
Cartner, Allan
Allan was one of the Border TV veteran announcers, working at the station from 1961 to 1988. He is well-remembered for his authority and clarity when reading the news on Border; he was also the voice of the station’s start-up sequence. As well as being a main announcer on Border, Allan also did some work for Tyne Tees TV during the 1970s.
…Balshaw, Samantha
(Formerly Samantha Howkins). Samantha was a TSW in-vision continuity announcer and assistant transmission controller. She moved to London to work for Carlton in 1993 and then for Meridian in Southampton. In 2003, eight years after joining Meridian, Samantha took some time off to look after her children. In 2006, she joined Sky as a transmission controller, working on the movie channels.
Tracy, Sheila
Born as Sheila Lugg in Mullion, Cornwall. Sheila studied piano, violin and trombone at the Royal Academy of Music.
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