Hugo Duncan
Encyclopedia
Hugo Duncan is a singer and BBC broadcaster born in Strabane
, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland
on 26 March 1950. His nickname is "The wee man from Strabane
".
He loved performing from a very young age and as a wee child was involved in set dancing, recitations, the church choir and the local pantomime. When he left school, he went to work in the local factory.
In the early 70s he was spotted on a TV talent show on RTÉ
and snapped up by the then fledgling Release Records, which later spawned such stars as Philomena Begley
, Ray Lynam, Eurovision star Johnny Logan
and many, many, many more.
By the time he was twenty-one he had formed his own band, Hugo Duncan and the Tall Men, and had a number one hit in the Irish charts with “Dear God”
Hugo joined Radio Foyle during the 1980s doing holiday relief, after which he was offered a job presenting his own show on a weekly basis. He also presents a show on Radio Foyle
, every Sunday from 14:00 to 16:00.
In October 1998 he was given the opportunity to present Hugo Duncan's Country Afternoon on Radio Ulster
each weekday from 13:30 to 15:00, and The theme tune used on his BBC Radio Ulster
show is Rocky Top
, while he closes each programme with Yakety Sax
, also known as the theme to The Benny Hill Show
Hugo's BBC Radio Ulster Country Show is now one of the most listened to programmes locally and its success has cemented Hugo's status as a top-rank entertainer.
In 2001 along with Eamonn Holmes
, Hugo appeared in Episode Two of Season One of popular BBC NI comedy Give My Head Peace
and both were kidnapped by Ma.
Hugo is also a member of BBC Northern Ireland’s team during their annual Children In Need
appeal. In 2006 Hugo dressed up as Britney Spears
and performed a version of her song “…Baby One More Time”.
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
on 26 March 1950. His nickname is "The wee man from Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
".
He loved performing from a very young age and as a wee child was involved in set dancing, recitations, the church choir and the local pantomime. When he left school, he went to work in the local factory.
In the early 70s he was spotted on a TV talent show on RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
and snapped up by the then fledgling Release Records, which later spawned such stars as Philomena Begley
Philomena Begley
Philomena Begley is an Irish country music singer.-Background:Philomena Begley was born and grew up in Pomeroy Co. Tyrone and worked in a shirt factory in Cookstown before her break into music.-Career:...
, Ray Lynam, Eurovision star Johnny Logan
Johnny Logan (singer)
Johnny Logan , is an Australian-born Irish singer and composer. He is regarded as "Mister Eurovision", having participated in the Eurovision Song Contest many times since the 1970s, and, since 1992, has been the most successful artist in Eurovision history.Logan has won the international contest on...
and many, many, many more.
By the time he was twenty-one he had formed his own band, Hugo Duncan and the Tall Men, and had a number one hit in the Irish charts with “Dear God”
Hugo joined Radio Foyle during the 1980s doing holiday relief, after which he was offered a job presenting his own show on a weekly basis. He also presents a show on Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle is a BBC Northern Ireland local radio station, serving County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. It is named after the River Foyle which flows through the city where the station is based. The station broadcasts from BBC's Northland Road studios on 93.1 FM and 792 MW in Derry, County...
, every Sunday from 14:00 to 16:00.
In October 1998 he was given the opportunity to present Hugo Duncan's Country Afternoon on Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster is one of two Northern Irish BBC radio stations, the other being BBC Radio Foyle located in the city of Derry. BBC Radio Ulster is located at Broadcasting House in the Ormeau Avenue area of Belfast city centre...
each weekday from 13:30 to 15:00, and The theme tune used on his BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster is one of two Northern Irish BBC radio stations, the other being BBC Radio Foyle located in the city of Derry. BBC Radio Ulster is located at Broadcasting House in the Ormeau Avenue area of Belfast city centre...
show is Rocky Top
Rocky Top
"Rocky Top" is an American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year...
, while he closes each programme with Yakety Sax
Yakety Sax
"Yakety Sax" is a piece of music written by James Q. "Spider" Rich and popularized by saxophonist Boots Randolph.The composition includes pieces of assorted fiddle tunes such as "Chicken Reel", and was written for a performance at a venue called The Armory in Hopkinsville, Kentucky...
, also known as the theme to The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill.There were various incarnations of the show between 1951 and 1991, and it aired in over 140 countries. The show is generally sketch-based with heavy use of slapstick, mime, parody and double-entendre...
Hugo's BBC Radio Ulster Country Show is now one of the most listened to programmes locally and its success has cemented Hugo's status as a top-rank entertainer.
In 2001 along with Eamonn Holmes
Eamonn Holmes
Eamonn Holmes is an Northern Irish journalist and broadcaster. He is known for his work on UK and Irish television, notably presenting GMTV and This Morning. He is married to TV presenter Ruth Langsford.-Education:...
, Hugo appeared in Episode Two of Season One of popular BBC NI comedy Give My Head Peace
Give My Head Peace
Give My Head Peace was a satirical television comedy series on BBC Northern Ireland that pokes fun at political parties, paramilitary groups and the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland...
and both were kidnapped by Ma.
Hugo is also a member of BBC Northern Ireland’s team during their annual Children In Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
appeal. In 2006 Hugo dressed up as Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
and performed a version of her song “…Baby One More Time”.
External links
- Country Afternoon with Hugo Duncan - BBC Radio Ulster - Listen Again to latest programme feature available
- Hugo on a Sunday - BBC Radio Foyle - Listen Again to latest programme feature available
- Hugo Duncan – BBC Northern Ireland – Radio Foyle
- Discography
- Photos Of Hugo Duncan Outside Broadcast in Portadown Co. Armagh
- ISBN 9780856408205