Ian Stirling (broadcaster)
Encyclopedia
Ian Andrew Stirling was a British
actor and television presenter, best known for his work with Westward Television
and Television South West
.
Stirling, a stage actor originally from Scotland, joined the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
in 1974 and freelanced at Westward
before becoming a full-time staff announcer in 1975. Alongside announcing duties, he read regional news bulletins and presented the hugely popular children's birthdays spot alongside station mascot Gus Honeybun
.
Stirling continued as an announcer and presenter with Westward's successors, TSW
, when the station began its sole franchise period on 11 August 1981 (branded on-air as Westward until 1 January 1982). He later took over from colleague Roger Shaw as the station's chief announcer, handling most of the weekday primetime continuity shifts, and remained with the company until the end of its final day of transmission on 31 December 1992. On that same evening, Stirling closed the station for the last time alongside announcing colleague Ruth Langsford
.
When Westcountry Television
took over from TSW on 1 January 1993, Stirling went freelance but did present a thrice-weekly Soap Review for the station's evening news magazine, Westcountry Live
and was involved in a number of regional programmes for the station. He also presented a four-part series entitled 40 Years of ITV in 2001, celebrating 40 years of ITV regional broadcasting in the South West of England. Whilst freelance, he also worked for Gemini Radio in Exeter
during the mid 1990s. He retired in 2003 and moved to northern France.
Ian Stirling died on 30 June 2005 in a hospice in Brittany
after a short illness. He was 64 years old. Shortly after his death, ITV Westcountry paid tribute to Stirling with a special half-hour programme entitled Stirling Salute.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
actor and television presenter, best known for his work with Westward Television
Westward Television
Westward Television was the first ITV franchise holder for the South West of England from 29 April 1961 until 31 December 1981. After a difficult start, Westward provided a popular, distinctive and highly regarded service to its region, until public boardroom squabbles led to its franchise not...
and Television South West
Television South West
Television South West was the ITV franchise holder for the South West England region from 1 January 1982 until 31 December 1992, broadcasting from the former Westward Television studios in Plymouth, Devon.-Origins and Launch:...
.
Stirling, a stage actor originally from Scotland, joined the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
in 1974 and freelanced at Westward
Westward Television
Westward Television was the first ITV franchise holder for the South West of England from 29 April 1961 until 31 December 1981. After a difficult start, Westward provided a popular, distinctive and highly regarded service to its region, until public boardroom squabbles led to its franchise not...
before becoming a full-time staff announcer in 1975. Alongside announcing duties, he read regional news bulletins and presented the hugely popular children's birthdays spot alongside station mascot Gus Honeybun
Gus Honeybun
Gus Honeybun was the station mascot for Westward Television, and later Television South West, from 1961 to 1992. A puppet rabbit, and star of Gus Honeybun's Magic Birthdays, he achieved a longevity for a TV puppet second only to Sooty....
.
Stirling continued as an announcer and presenter with Westward's successors, TSW
Television South West
Television South West was the ITV franchise holder for the South West England region from 1 January 1982 until 31 December 1992, broadcasting from the former Westward Television studios in Plymouth, Devon.-Origins and Launch:...
, when the station began its sole franchise period on 11 August 1981 (branded on-air as Westward until 1 January 1982). He later took over from colleague Roger Shaw as the station's chief announcer, handling most of the weekday primetime continuity shifts, and remained with the company until the end of its final day of transmission on 31 December 1992. On that same evening, Stirling closed the station for the last time alongside announcing colleague Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford is an English television presenter.Langsford began her career as a continuity announcer and newscaster with ITV regional station TSW in the South West of England...
.
When Westcountry Television
Westcountry Television
Westcountry Television, is the ITV franchise holder in the South West of England, replacing its predecessor, TSW , from the 1 January 1993...
took over from TSW on 1 January 1993, Stirling went freelance but did present a thrice-weekly Soap Review for the station's evening news magazine, Westcountry Live
Westcountry Live
Westcountry Live was the flagship regional news programme of ITV Westcountry, serving the South West of England.-History:The programme was first broadcast on Monday 4 January 1993 - four days after Westcountry Television took over the ITV regional franchise from Television South West...
and was involved in a number of regional programmes for the station. He also presented a four-part series entitled 40 Years of ITV in 2001, celebrating 40 years of ITV regional broadcasting in the South West of England. Whilst freelance, he also worked for Gemini Radio in Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
during the mid 1990s. He retired in 2003 and moved to northern France.
Ian Stirling died on 30 June 2005 in a hospice in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
after a short illness. He was 64 years old. Shortly after his death, ITV Westcountry paid tribute to Stirling with a special half-hour programme entitled Stirling Salute.