Marty Whelan

Marty Whelan

Martin 'Marty' Whelan (born 7 June 1956) is a Jacob's Award-winning Irish radio and television personality currently working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). Frequently seen and heard on RTÉ radio and television, he has presented a variety of shows. Whelan's early television credits included his own gameshows, Millionaire and Fame and Fortune, as well as the weekday afternoon show, Open House.

Whelan was master of ceremonies at The Rose of Tralee contest until Ryan Tubridy replaced him in 2003, a role which Whelan had held since 1997. His RTÉ 2fm radio show, Marty in the Morning was axed in 2007 and replaced with The Colm & Jim-Jim Breakfast Show. Whelan has since made a return to television, winning the reality series Celebrity Bainisteoir in 2008. Since winning the series, he has made another return to television to guest-host the RTÉ One topical comedy show The Panel. He also acted as guest judge in RTÉ's Charity You're a Star, standing in for Louis Walsh in one programme.

Marty at Midday saw Whelan receive his own weekday lunchtime show on RTÉ lyric fm, commencing September 2009. He then returned to television again in September 2009 to co-present Winning Streak with Kathryn Thomas. He has been doing this ever since.

Since 2000, Whelan has provided the television commentary for RTÉ's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest, although Whelan provided the Irish commentary for the Eurovision Song Contest 1987.