LaoisToday columnist John Whelan continues to broaden his media credentials and is due to turn radio broadcaster this week.
The journalist, editor, author and former Senator, who pens the popular weekly Wired with Whelan column on LaoisToday, takes to the airwaves on Midlands 103 radio this Tuesday and Wednesday.
He will be subbing in as guest presenter for Will Faulkner on the station’s flagship award winning current affairs programme, Midlands Today, from 9am to 12 noon each day. Whelan will be rotating with Midland’s 103 sports editor Will O’Callaghan as stand-in presenter over the next fortnight while Will Faulkner is on holidays.
John Whelan explains how it all came about.
“I was delighted to get a call from Midlands to ask if I would fill in when Will Faulkner is on holidays. I jumped at the opportunity. I love radio and this is a great programme on one of the country’s best stations with a big listenership across the region.
“To be honest I’m quite nervous about it as this is an award winning programme and Will Faulkner makes it sound a lot easier than it is.
“I am more used to being on the other side of the microphone answering questions either as a current affairs commentator or when I was a Senator.
“I have had a good few ding-dongs with Will himself on air over the years and have been grilled by all the country’s top broadcasters going right back to the doyen Brian Farrell, John Bowman, Myles Dungan, David Davin-Power, Miriam O Callaghan, Claire Byrne, Marian Finnucane, Matt Cooper, Pat Kenny, Sean O’Rourke and of course Vincent Browne himself, but the thoughts of being in the hot seat presenting a show on Midlands radio for three hours each morning is even more daunting.
“Will Faulkner was very good about it and has been hugely encouraging. He said, ‘Look, you are out of electoral politics now for over a year, we think you are ready. It will work for you and for us, a bit like Ivan Yates, you have the insights and experience and who knows where it could lead.’
“Yes, I am a bit nervous but I’m also excited and really looking forward to the opportunity. Midlands 103 have a great team and the producer Sinead Hubble could not be any more helpful or supportive. It should be fun and interesting and sure what could possibly go wrong…?
So do tune in to Midlands 103 to hear for yourself. One thing it won’t be with John Whelan is boring!
