This much I know: Marty Whelan

I ALWAYS thought I’d like to be a pilot — the uniform, the glamour, the air hostesses.

Got one in the end, my very own air hostess!

I had no intention of becoming a broadcaster when I was a kid, nor any particular draw to it, but I always loved the radio and was strangely drawn to broadcasters — following Gay Byrne and Terry Wogan around at the Horse Show. I’m still following Larry Gogan around!

My first paid job was a summer stint in Clerys Department Store in the heart of Dublin city. My best sale was navy gaberdine coats to French students — why do I remember that?

My favourite personalities remain Terry and Gay, plus Michael Parkinson — they all embody the best traits for wonderful TV and radio, plus an ease with the medium that can only come with experience.

You can never compare working in TV and radio because they’re so different. Radio is so one-to-one, while TV is lights, cameras, action. I love both because I get so many different things out of each of them.

God is a comfort and joy but sometimes I wonder where He is.

The violence inherent in much of our everyday speech is appalling. Have a good listen and you’ll notice.

One of the highlights of my career so far was being the compere for The Rose of Tralee because so few of us have had the chance to do it. I loved my six years and the figures were marvellous, so that was very gratifying. The latest high point has been minding Jedward in Germany. Taking the twins away proved to be great Eurovision and I’m mad about them.

In times of stress my motto is ‘Keep her going Patsy’ or ‘Keep the Faith’. The important thing always is to keep on going, that’s the trick. All of that and singing the lyrics to Sinatra’s That’s Life.

My earliest memory is of playing the role of a bus conductor in my back garden in my hat and outfit — always the uniform!

If you want to be a presenter, I believe an ability to listen to what others are saying, be they colleagues, the listener, guests, whoever, is crucial. Then decide what your own course should be. As an interviewer you need the ability to listen and respond in a conversational way.

My trickiest on air moment was in daytime television when an electrician came into my live studio to change a bulb live on air. Couldn’t hide it so we laughed — my friend and boss Noel Smyth couldn’t believe it.

I try to find a work/life balance by always having a plan to spend time with my family and making sure to be a part of all our decisions, no matter how busy or tired. They are my life and my loves — along with Buddy Collie our dog.

Any free time I get is spent with my family and with friends when I can. A lunch or dinner is the perfect location. The gym and tennis when I can.

Some of the best advice I ever got was from my Dad — ‘The glass is half full’ and ‘Believe in yourself and know that we, your parents do, and never doubt it’.

I’m pretty health conscious, but that doesn’t mean I always employ best practice — such as mind what you do and do it in moderation. But I gave up smoking 12 years ago so I do try.

If I won the Lotto. I’d make life better for those around me and soften the blows that life can send, plus I’d buy a huge Mercedes.

Being a public figure is just a consequence of what being on TV and radio is about. I don’t tend to put any store by it except with the odd free CD of course — so easy aren’t I? My routine is my work and my joy at turning the key in my front door at the end of the day and being home.

Marty Whelan presents Marty in the Morning on RTÉ lyric fm (96-99fm) (Mon-Fri, 7am-10am). Highlights include a new weekly cookery feature with Neven Maguire every Friday.