RTÉ Radio
VAL JOYCE SIGNS OFF ON RTÉ RADIO 1’S LATE DATE
Tonight (Friday, 1 September) one of Ireland’s most well known broadcasters, Val Joyce, will present his last Late Date radio programme on RTÉ Radio 1 from 11.25pm.
Ana Leddy, Head of RTÉ Radio 1, complimented Val today saying;
“Val has made an enormous contribution to Irish broadcasting over the past few decades, with groundbreaking music programmes and a unique approach. Val will continue to contribute to RTÉ Radio 1 and his loyal listeners can look forward to hearing his familiar voice on the airwaves again soon.”
Val has been presenting Late Date for over fifteen years. He began his broadcasting career presenting sponsored programmes including the Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes programme.
He presented Sound of the Light, the broadcasts of the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra, now known as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and in the 1960s Val started the programme, Pop Call on Radio 1, the first ever phone-in pop request programme. On Saturday afternoons Val presented Airs and Races, a horse-racing and music programme that brought Val’s two great interests together.
Val presented Ireland’s Choice with Val Joyce on Radio 2 from its launch in 1979. At the time it was the only programme to come from the four corners of Ireland. In recent years, Val has presented Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1.
Val is married to Vera Morgan and has five children and eight grandchildren.
Val Joyce signs off on Late Date tonight, Friday, 1 September at 11.25pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
Issued by RTÉ Radio
Date: 1 September 2006
For further information please contact: Sarah Hegarty, RTÉ Radio Press Office, Tel: 01 208 2312 / 087 750 1850, Email: sarah.hegarty@rte.ie