Alan Cantwell

Alan Cantwell
Born
Alan Cantwell

1968 (age 55–56)
Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
Occupation(s)Journalist, presenter, newsreader
Years active1985-present
Notable creditTV3 News
SpouseDenise Cantwell
ChildrenTwo
Websitewww.alancantwell.ie

Alan Cantwell (born 1968) is an Irish journalist, presenter and newsreader, best known as the former anchor of TV3 News at 5.30 and later the 5.30.[1]

Career

Cantwell began his broadcasting career at the age of seventeen working in pirate radio in Dublin. He spent a number of years working with Capitol Radio under the pseudonym of Dave Carney.[2] He later joined legitimate radio when he moved to Clare FM in the early 1990s. He spent five years here as head of news and current affairs. He subsequently became editor-in-chief of Independent Network News (INN) in Dublin. He later joined 98FM as host of a popular late-night chat show.[3]

In 1998 Cantwell joined TV3 when the new station launched in September that year. Since then he has been the station's lead male newsreader. When TV3 launched Midday in 2008, Cantwell was included as one of the presenters along with Colette Fitzpatrick and Martin King. His stint in this role proved controversial and earned him the nickname "Alan Rantwell"; he was dropped from the programme after just a year as presenter. His removal was part of a wider shake-up of the programme.[4]

In May 2011, Cantwell fronted TV3's television coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Republic of Ireland.[5]

On 22 November 2012, Cantwell announced that he is to leave TV3 and he subsequently resigned from his position as TV3 news anchor on 4 January 2013.[6][7][8]

On 28 November 2012, he was startled live on air by a loud noise which visibly shook him.[9]

In October 2015 it was announced that Cantwell would be returning to the station after a two-year absence.[10]

In May 2016 Cantwell resigned from TV3 again, to take up the post of press advisor to Mary Mitchell O'Connor after the Dún Laoghaire TD was appointed to Cabinet as jobs minister.[11] In November 2016 it was announced he was resigning, citing “personal reasons”.[12]

Personal life

Cantwell is married and has two children.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Alan Cantwell". The TV Room +. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  2. ^ "Friends for life: Alan Cantwell and John Keogh". The Sunday Tribune. 15 January 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "In tune with the banner". The Clare Champion. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Cantwell axed from Midday as all-woman line-up steals show". Evening Herald. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  5. ^ Keane, Kevin (14 May 2011). "Broadcasters roll out big guns for visit". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  6. ^ Barry, Aoife (22 November 2012). "Alan Cantwell to leave TV3 after 14 years". TheJournal.ie.
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ Kirsty Blake Knox (5 January 2013). "Anchorman Alan leaves TV3 after 14 years". Herald.ie.
  9. ^ "Video: Alan Cantwell startled live on Vinny B last night". 28 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ Kelly, Aoife (22 October 2015). "Alan Cantwell returns to TV3 after 3 years to replace Ruairi Carroll as anchor on main evening news". Independent.ie. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. ^ "TV3's Alan Cantwell quits to become Government adviser". Independent.ie. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. ^ Bardon, Sarah (2 November 2016). "Alan Cantwell resigns as special adviser to Mitchell O'Connor". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  13. ^ "Alan Cantwell Story" (PDF). Aspect Photography. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2011.