Bill Smyth, Television and Radio Broadcaster
Encyclopedia
William Johnston "Bill" Smyth (2 November 1936 - 26 January 2011) was an eminent Broadcaster and Sports Journalist in Northern Ireland.
Born on 2 November 1936, he originated from the Antrim Road district of north Belfast
. He was educated at Methodist College
and The Queen's University, Belfast, graduating with a degree in psychology.
He was a school teacher and was an educational psychologist, before embarking as a broadcaster in the 1960s at the BBC Northern Ireland Home Service, which later became known as BBC Radio Ulster
. In the early 1970s Bill was employed with BBC Radio Bristol, in the west of England.
When Northern Ireland's first commercial radio station, Downtown Radio, went on air in March 1976, Bill was one of its original presenters, working on the shows Downtown Downbeat and The Sunday Request Show.
1978 saw his move into television broadcasting when he joined the popular Northern Ireland ITV license holder Ulster Television as a Newscaster and Continuity Announcer, a move that made him one of Havelock House's famous celebrities and household names. He remained with the station until 1987.
Thereafter, the father of three daughters worked as a journalist with the Antrim Guardian. He also spent some time at Townland Radio in Cookstown
, Co. Tyrone, and in 1997 moved to Belfast Community Radio/Citybeat.
In addition to his sports reporting for the Irish News, the Ulster edition of The Mirror and other publications, he was a travel news announcer with emerging Belfast radio station U105
(2005–2010) launched by UTV Media plc, one of the largest media organisations in the UK and Ireland, which grew out of Bill's former employer, Ulster Television.
In 2009, however, he narrated ‘The Old Road to Dublin’ by Belfast-based indie Notassuch Films, a documentary film and online comedy about ‘social attitudes, improved infrastructure, the new Ireland, cultural heritage and drink!’ that featured BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster Joe Lindsay. Bill’s hilarious; close-to-the-knuckle commentary sees him in another light, as his polished intonation and wisecracks make it entertaining.
Formerly a resident of Rostulla Avenue in Newtownabbey's Jordanstown area, Bill died of cancer
on 26 January 2011 in Belfast City Hospital. He was buried alongside his late parents at Movilla Cemetery in Newtownards, Co. Down.
Bill Smyth will forever be remembered for his tone of voice and his brilliant ability to employ it in whatever was required for that moment. It was indeed unique – instantly recognisable, no-nonsense and authoritive. To his contemporaries and younger generations who knew him, he will be regarded as having been quintessentially a class act and legend within the sphere of Northern Irish broadcasting.
Born on 2 November 1936, he originated from the Antrim Road district of north Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. He was educated at Methodist College
Methodist College
Methodist College may refer to:*Methodist University in North Carolina *Methodist College in Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong*Sha Tin Methodist College in Sha Tin, Hong Kong*Methodist College Belfast*Southern Methodist University...
and The Queen's University, Belfast, graduating with a degree in psychology.
He was a school teacher and was an educational psychologist, before embarking as a broadcaster in the 1960s at the BBC Northern Ireland Home Service, which later became known as BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster is one of two Northern Irish BBC radio stations, the other being BBC Radio Foyle located in the city of Derry. BBC Radio Ulster is located at Broadcasting House in the Ormeau Avenue area of Belfast city centre...
. In the early 1970s Bill was employed with BBC Radio Bristol, in the west of England.
When Northern Ireland's first commercial radio station, Downtown Radio, went on air in March 1976, Bill was one of its original presenters, working on the shows Downtown Downbeat and The Sunday Request Show.
1978 saw his move into television broadcasting when he joined the popular Northern Ireland ITV license holder Ulster Television as a Newscaster and Continuity Announcer, a move that made him one of Havelock House's famous celebrities and household names. He remained with the station until 1987.
Thereafter, the father of three daughters worked as a journalist with the Antrim Guardian. He also spent some time at Townland Radio in Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
, Co. Tyrone, and in 1997 moved to Belfast Community Radio/Citybeat.
In addition to his sports reporting for the Irish News, the Ulster edition of The Mirror and other publications, he was a travel news announcer with emerging Belfast radio station U105
U105
U105 is a Belfast based radio station, providing a mix of music and speech as well as hourly news bulletins. It is owned by UTV Radio and was launched at 6am on Monday 14 November 2005....
(2005–2010) launched by UTV Media plc, one of the largest media organisations in the UK and Ireland, which grew out of Bill's former employer, Ulster Television.
In 2009, however, he narrated ‘The Old Road to Dublin’ by Belfast-based indie Notassuch Films, a documentary film and online comedy about ‘social attitudes, improved infrastructure, the new Ireland, cultural heritage and drink!’ that featured BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster Joe Lindsay. Bill’s hilarious; close-to-the-knuckle commentary sees him in another light, as his polished intonation and wisecracks make it entertaining.
Formerly a resident of Rostulla Avenue in Newtownabbey's Jordanstown area, Bill died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on 26 January 2011 in Belfast City Hospital. He was buried alongside his late parents at Movilla Cemetery in Newtownards, Co. Down.
Bill Smyth will forever be remembered for his tone of voice and his brilliant ability to employ it in whatever was required for that moment. It was indeed unique – instantly recognisable, no-nonsense and authoritive. To his contemporaries and younger generations who knew him, he will be regarded as having been quintessentially a class act and legend within the sphere of Northern Irish broadcasting.