‘I’ve succeeded in my career – but at a price’
The couple, who are known for being guarded about their relationship and protective of their teenage son and stepson Conall, were both keeping very low profiles after the news was made public.
In the corridors of RTÉ’s Montrose studios, Gráinne’s colleagues were no doubt shocked to learn about the end of the TV star’s eight-year marriage but no one was willing to say a word.
It’s hardly surprising seeing that since the death of Gerry Ryan, RTÉ has clamped down on staff’s use of social media following the leaking of the news of the broadcaster’s untimely death on Twitter.
The only word on the split came from Gráinne’s management agency, which confirmed in a brief statement that the couple was to separate. No reason was cited for the split, but it is possible that Gráinne’s demanding career had a substantial impact on the breakdown of her marriage.
Mr Cullinane is a former sports editor at TV3 News and is the founder of production company Touchline Media Ireland.
The couple tied the knot in Gráinne’s hometown of Spidall, Co Galway, back in 2002. Her bridesmaids were her sister Sile Seoige, colleague Maura Derrane and her best friend, Lisa Considine.
Three years later it was Gráinne’s turn to act as bridesmaid when her younger sister Sile married Glen Mulcahy, an RTÉ news production manager in November 2005.
However, in January 2009 Sile and Glen announced they were to split after just four years together. Gráinne has since spoken about Sile’s marriage, praising her sibling for the way she handled the break up and the media attention that came with it, saying, “I’m very proud of her as a person and it’s been a privilege to be there for her.”
The two sisters, who co-presented the RTÉ daytime talk show Seoige, have been through tough times together before.
Sile, 31, has struggled to step out of 36-year-old Gráinne’s shadow while Gráinne has been plagued by rumours of diva like behaviour on set and has been accused of having an icy personality.
Together the attractive sisters were thought to be a TV dream duo, but Seoige was axed in April 2009 after just one year.
In an interview last year, Gráinne described the period after the show was dropped as “intense”. Yet, Gráinne’s marriage to Stephen seemed solid, with the star revealing last year her husband found her sexier than ever. “When I was 24, I thought 35 was old. My husband tells me I look better now than I did then,” she said.
Since the Seoige show ended, Gráinne’s career has been on the rise, and she has enjoyed success as the presenter of the All-Ireland Talent Show and Up For the Match on RTÉ. Earlier this year, Gráinne’s career received a further boost when she covered the Cheltenham racing festival for ITV’s GMTV breakfast show, fuelling rumours that a deal with the British station may be on the cards.
Yet, she also admitted to feeling the burden of her success. In a telling comment she said: “I believe in hard work for achieving what you want. I’ve succeeded at almost everything I’ve put my mind to, but it comes at a price.
“That’s something I’ve learnt about doing too much and the inability to give to the most important people around you because of it.”
While Gráinne has been coy about any deal with GMTV bosses, the end of her marriage will certainly fuel speculation.
