Shape I’m In: Eoghan McDermott, Presenter

PRESENTER Eoghan McDermott knows how to make a big entrance.

To launch his new 2fm weekend breakfast show next month, he is running an interview with his old pal Ed Sheeran, one of the hottest names in the music business.

“I know him quite well. Before he was getting mainstream radio play, London Xfm [where I present Drivetime] supported him a lot. And we’ve got some mutual friends in London. It’s to his credit that he has always been extremely generous with his time in the aftermath of his success. He’s incredible. So very humble and low key — a gorgeous man.”

It was only a matter of time before McDermott got his own gig with RTÉ. He has an impressive CV covering radio and TV work — recently he finished his third year as co-presenter with Kathryn Thomas of the Voice of Ireland and is currently working on a new series, Drunk, for RTÉ2, exploring the effects of alcohol on the body and mind.

Aged 31, he has been quoted in the past as saying he’s “outrageously single”.

This is still the case.

“I’m in the market and waiting for the lightning strike, though not proactively looking — I’m really happy actually,” he says.

“But who doesn’t like a good old Chinese, a couch, and a little cuddle?”

From Dublin, he is flanked at home by two sisters, both feminists. It’s a term he also uses to describe his mother, referring to her as “very staunch”.

“They have hugely shaped my attitude towards women... for the better, ” he says.

What shape are you in?

In pretty good shape — I used to be a professional dancer and choreographer. I stopped about six years ago. I mostly swim now — about three or four times a week. It’s amazing, there is no stress on any of the joints. Everyone should swim — I think it should be mandatory on schools’ PE courses. I also do a little bit of weights. It’s more for toning as I’m naturally skinny.

Do you have any health concerns?

No, I don’t thankfully. No serious illness history at all.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I love raw vegetables. I used to juice — fruit and veggies — but I’ve started to doubt the wisdom of that. It can get very sweet and sugary.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

I’m addicted to chocolate — milk chocolate, Snickers, caramel, whatever. I get moody if I don’t have three or four bars of chocolate a day.

What would keep you awake at night?

I do those very pointless silly state-of-the world ponderings in my head occasionally at night. I have found myself doing a lot of that over the last couple of years.

How do you relax?

I do Bikram yoga at least once a week. It’s like yoga in a sauna. Between going there and getting home it’s almost three hours. I always stretch in the morning to wake me up — I don’t do caffeine. I only drink alcohol on occasions. I would never crack open a drink at home.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Russell Brand, Hillary Clinton, Louis C.K., Noam Chomsky, my younger sister Roe, she’s a raging feminist and writes for Hotpress — she’s just been given a Fulbright scholarship. She genuinely is one of the smartest people I know.

What’s your favourite smell?

Dark chocolate. Paco Rabanne’s Black XS LeExces.

What would you change about your appearance?

Nothing to the point of actually doing anything about it. I’ve got big ears — I’d probably shrink them by about 25% if you could click your fingers.

When did you last cry?

When my cousin had an accident recently — he is only five. He lost his leg. It was kind of a farm accident. That was very upsetting.

What trait do you least like in others?

Snobbery — I think it’s horrific. And I hate greedy people. In my circle of friends everyone is very generous with their selves — what goes around comes around.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

Plenty of things. I can be a bit impulsive and not always in a good way. I am also horribly disorganised.

Do you pray?

No — I don’t really believe in God.

What would cheer up your day?

A Terry’s Chocolate Orange.