Hazel Irvine
Encyclopedia
Hazel Irvine is a television presenter from the United Kingdom
.
in Helensburgh
, she achieved an M.A. in History of Art
at the University of St. Andrews, and competed in golf, netball and athletics at university level. In her final year she was Senior Student of Hamilton Hall. She began her broadcasting career in radio, before moving to work for Scottish Television
as a continuity announcer and latterly, as a sports reporter/presenter. She later joined BBC Scotland
as a presenter, chiefly for its Sportscene
programme.
In 1997, Irvine became the youngest-ever presenter of the BBC's flagship sports programme Grandstand
, and has covered a variety of major sporting events. She has worked at the last five Summer Olympics, as well as the Winter Olympics and four Football World Cup tournaments, and has been the regular presenter of BBC's Ski Sunday
and coverage of the World Snooker Championship
s. She has also regularly presented the sports news on major BBC evening news bulletins, as well as reporting on events such as Wimbledon
and the London Marathon
.
In August 2008, Irvine presented Olympic Breakfast alongside Adrian Chiles
as well as being one of the commentators for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics.
Away from television, Irvine is the honorary president of the Dumbarton F.C.
Supporters' Association and also works as a media-trainer and after-dinner speaker.
show and had a baby girl in February 2009.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Life and career
Educated at Hermitage AcademyHermitage Academy
Hermitage Academy is a non-denominational secondary school located in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is one of two secondary schools within the Helensburgh area and is currently the largest secondary school in Argyll and Bute...
in Helensburgh
Helensburgh
Helensburgh is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde and the eastern shore of the entrance to the Gareloch....
, she achieved an M.A. in History of Art
History of art
The History of art refers to visual art which may be defined as any activity or product made by humans in a visual form for aesthetical or communicative purposes, expressing ideas, emotions or, in general, a worldview...
at the University of St. Andrews, and competed in golf, netball and athletics at university level. In her final year she was Senior Student of Hamilton Hall. She began her broadcasting career in radio, before moving to work for Scottish Television
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
as a continuity announcer and latterly, as a sports reporter/presenter. She later joined BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
as a presenter, chiefly for its Sportscene
Sportscene
Sportscene is the name of a range of Scottish sports television programmes produced by BBC Scotland. Its main anchors are Dougie Donnelly, David Currie, Rob MacLean and Dougie Vipond, with Alison Walker and Richard Gordon acting as relief presenters...
programme.
In 1997, Irvine became the youngest-ever presenter of the BBC's flagship sports programme Grandstand
Grandstand (BBC)
Grandstand was a British television sport programme. Broadcast between 1958 and 2007, it was one of the BBC's longest running sports shows, alongside BBC Sports Personality of the Year.Its first presenter was Peter Dimmock...
, and has covered a variety of major sporting events. She has worked at the last five Summer Olympics, as well as the Winter Olympics and four Football World Cup tournaments, and has been the regular presenter of BBC's Ski Sunday
Ski Sunday
Ski Sunday is the BBC Sports weekly magazine-style television show covering winter sports, broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sundays in a late afternoon or an early evening time-slot...
and coverage of the World Snooker Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
s. She has also regularly presented the sports news on major BBC evening news bulletins, as well as reporting on events such as Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
and the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
.
In August 2008, Irvine presented Olympic Breakfast alongside Adrian Chiles
Adrian Chiles
Adrian Chiles is a British television and radio presenter, currently working for ITV Sport presenting football coverage....
as well as being one of the commentators for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics.
Away from television, Irvine is the honorary president of the Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
Supporters' Association and also works as a media-trainer and after-dinner speaker.
Personal life
Irvine married her long term boyfriend at a secret ceremony in 2008, announced she was expecting a child in 2009 on the BBC Hogmanay LiveHogmanay Live
Hogmanay Live is BBC Scotland's annual live event programme broadcast from either Edinburgh Castle's Great Hall or BBC Pacific Quay on Hogmanay . Regardless of location, the programme rings in the New Year with the firing of Edinburgh Castle's One O'Clock Gun and the subsequent fireworks and...
show and had a baby girl in February 2009.