Olver, David

David was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Belfast College of Business Studies. He joined the BBC Northern Ireland presentation team at the age of 18, in January 1978 and took up duties which included television and radio newsreading, as well as television and radio continuity. He was also the Northern Ireland presenter on BBC Radio 2’s Family Favourites, with Jean Challis and Pete Murray, for several years from April 1979.

David was the Belfast anchorman on Song for Europe with Terry Wogan on BBC One in 1982 and 1983. He served a four-month attachment to general programmes on BBC Radio Ulster (daytime strand) from March 1984, including cover for Paul Clark on the 3 – 5pm afternoon show for four weeks and nine weeks presenting Day by Day, replacing Walter Love during his illness. In 1985, he spent three weeks deputising for Gerry Anderson on BBC Radio Ulster.

Over the years, David has also presented a number of music-based radio programmes: With You until Midnight; David Olver Music Show; Variations; Summer Selection. His shows covered everything from pop to light classics and sacred works. He also presented a number of live concert relays from the Ulster Hall for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Ulster, as well as standing in when required for regular daytime presenters on BBC Radio Ulster.

In 1986, he served an attachment as television producer to presentation and promotions in London. David subsequently returned to Belfast, where he filled a new trails producer post. During several years in this job, he worked on a variety of television programmes and projects, including the first-ever television promotion for the launch of the BBC Shop in Belfast. In addition to producing regular trails promoting local TV and radio output, he was responsible for various Lifeline appeals and the See for Yourself programme with Gerry Anderson, on BBC One.

David was chosen by the highly-respected, senior BBC Northern Ireland light-entertainment producer/director Harry Adair as commentator for the local EMA (Entertainment, Media and Arts) Awards, which were televised live for a number of years during the early 1990s; this was followed by an equally successful run of the Belfast Telegraph Sport Awards, which were covered by the BBC until January 2001.

Speaking in September 2018, David says that he continues to enjoy his full-time role as a continuity director, working alongside a great team of people.  “A rewarding and challenging job which I wouldn’t swap for the world!”

Among his hobbies, David lists music, cooking, driving and walking.  He met his wife Christine when she joined the Belfast presentation department as a continuity assistant on an attachment from the BBC in London, back in May 1988. They married in October the following year.

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