Marty Whelan

Martin "Marty" Whelan (born 7 June 1956) is an Irish radio and television personality currently working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ).

In 1997, Whelan became the host of the annual The Rose of Tralee contest, a role he held until 2003 when Ryan Tubridy replaced him.

Since winning the series, he has made another return to television to guest-host the RTÉ One topical comedy show The Panel.

Marty at Midday saw Whelan receive his own weekday lunchtime show on RTÉ lyric fm, commencing September 2009.

In 1987 and since 2000, Whelan has provided the television commentary for RTÉ's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest (joined by Phil Coulter in 2003).

In the mid-1980s Whelan began developing his television career, becoming the first male presenter of the hit fashion programme Head 2 Toe.

In 1997, Whelan became Master of Ceremonies at the annual Rose of Tralee contest but, in the first of a series of losses, he was replaced by Ryan Tubridy in 2003.

[7] In 2004, RTÉ's flagship afternoon magazine programme Open House was axed, leaving Whelan jobless once again.

[10] A substitute slot for Gerry Ryan on his morning radio show on RTÉ 2fm in the summer of 2005 led to a more permanent return to the station for Whelan.

[13] Since then Whelan has appeared as himself in feature films, at the co-opening of a Dunnes outlet in Galway with retired broadcaster Gay Byrne[14] and filling a cameo role (again as himself) on the soap opera, Fair City.

RTÉ gave the commentator's job to different presenters between 1988 and 1999 including Mike Murphy, Ronan Collins, Jimmy Greeley and Pat Kenny.

[2] Whelan returned to commentate for Ireland at the 2000 Contest, which was held in Sweden and continues to provide commentary for RTÉ since 2000.