Latest news with #HazelIrvine
Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
‘It's very difficult' – Hazel Irvine speaks out about interviewing Ronnie O'Sullivan on BBC
'It's very difficult' – Hazel Irvine speaks out about interviewing Ronnie O'Sullivan on BBC Hazel Irvine has been the face of snooker coverage for the BBC for over 20 years - and the Scot has had to navigate countless interviews with the enigmatic Ronnie O'Sullivan Hazel Irvine has been an ever-present figure on BBC for over three decades (Image: PA ) Hazel Irvine has acknowledged the challenge of interviewing snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan - due to his reputation for unfiltered candour. Irvine, a pioneering female sports broadcaster with the BBC for over three decades, has covered key snooker events, along with the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and major golf tournaments. During her conversation on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips' YouTube channel, the seven-time world champion enquired if any interviewee sets off alarms for her. Hendry himself suggested O'Sullivan, known for his forthright manner. Irvine shared her insights from years of conversation with the 49-year-old great and spoke about the complexities of engaging with him. "I really enjoy speaking to Ronnie [and] he's been brilliant with us actually," Irvine commented. "It's very difficult to be in tune with anybody who so readily expresses exactly what they feel and you can feel and see it in his body language. "I think you can read him to an extent, but I love hearing what he has to say. "I think we're privileged to actually be able to share what he wants to say. I think he's still brilliant for the game and it's still always a real privilege," reports the Mirror. Irvine and O'Sullivan, who often engage in forthright discussions, caught up once again after O'Sullivan's victory in the World Snooker Championship quarter-final triumph against Si Jiahui. Article continues below The snooker great has been known to speak his mind at all times (Image: Getty Images ) In spite of advancing to the semi-finals, where he faced defeat by Zhao Xintong, the Rocket candidly expressed doubts about his own form, humorously telling the BBC star that his team had essentially given up on him. While chuckling, he quipped: "Team? I'm unhelpable. I think they've all given up after they've gone through the motions," before acknowledging the instrumental support he's received from sports psychologist Steve Peters. "Steve has been amazing," O'Sullivan said. "I wouldn't have got round the first round without Steve. He's been incredible. I wouldn't have got through the first round without him I suppose. I've tried to give it my best, which I have, and I'm just hanging in there." Irvine probed into how vital Peters is to O'Sullivan's performance, asking whether his absence makes a difference and if his presence is something the snooker champion feels he needs. O'Sullivan replied: "If I could afford him then I'd have him every day. The Scot has worked for the BBC for over three decades (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below "I'd be like [F1 star] Lance Stroll's dad, just write the check out and he's here full-time. But obviously he's a busy man who I couldn't afford to have full-time. So any little bits I try and time when I can have him." In the aftermath of his 17-7 defeat to Zhao, O'Sullivan expressed uncertainty about his professional future. "I think I'm going to be moving out of the UK this year. A new life somewhere else. "I'll still try and play snooker, but I don't know what the future looks like for me really. I'm moving away soon so I'll just see how it goes. There's a lot of more important things in life to worry about than a game of snooker. For me, it's a big part of my life but I've got to try and figure out what my future looks like, whether it's playing or not."
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Hazel Irvine's shock secret wedding to mystery husband and baby at 43
Hazel Irvine's shock secret wedding to mystery husband and baby at 43 The presenter is fronting the BBC's coverage of the World Snooker Championship final between Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong Irvine is one of the most respected presenters in the business The 2025 World Snooker Championship is nearing its conclusion, with Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong battling it out in the final at the Crucible Theatre. Sunday's opening session saw Zhao race into a commanding lead, blowing three-time world champion Williams away and ending the session 7-1 up. The 28-year-old is playing as an amateur after being banned from snooker for 20 months following a match-fixing scandal, but could now become the first ever Chinese world champion if he can continue his fine form at the table. The final, which will conclude on Monday, is being shown live on the BBC - with presenter Hazel Irvine fronting the coverage as she has done right throughout the tournament. The 59-year-old is one of the most recognisable and respected sports presenters in the business, with her broadcasting career stretching back nearly 40 years. Having excelled at sport - namely golf, netball and athletics - at university, Irvine began her career on the radio, before moving to Scottish Television and later becoming a sports reporter for the network. She went on to co-host ITV's coverage of the 1988 Olympics and reported from the Scotland football team's training camp during the 1990 World Cup in Italy, before moving to the BBC in the same year and taking up the role of presenter for BBC Scotland's Sportscene programme. Article continues below Since the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, she has been a constant fixture for the broadcaster, covering nine Summer Games, five Winter Olympics, six Commonwealth Games and four FIFA World Cups. She has led the BBC's coverage of the Triple Crown snooker tournaments - the World Championship, the Masters and the UK Championship - since 2002 and also covered golf for the broadcaster for 25 years, as well as some non-sporting presenting roles. However, despite her remarkable and well-documented career, little is known about Irvine's personal life, with the St Andrews-born presenter managing to keep it out of the spotlight. In fact, when she got married in 2008, it came as a complete shock to fans - with the identity of her husband still unknown. It was first reported months after the event that Irvine had tied the knot with her mystery partner in a private ceremony in Scotland , with only close family and friends in attednance. The presenter had sparked marriage rumours when she presented coverage of The Open at Loch Lomond wearing a ring, with her agent later releasing a statement confirming the news. "I can confirm that she married her long-term partner a few months ago," the statement read. "It was a small and very private affair, and she and her husband are very happy. She wants to keep all the details private." The following year, the couple welcomed a daughter together but, again, her name has never been disclosed publicly. Irvine - who was 43 when she gave birth - had announced the news while at a charity sports quiz in London, telling the audience she had her "own credit crunch looming". Article continues below She added: "My clothes are already feeling the squeeze. My husband and I have a new arrival coming in the spring - which is going to be a drain on my own profits." In an interview with MailOnline five years later, she said the birth of her daughter was the thing that "altered the course of her life and character", as she explained: "I'm 48 now so having her quite late was truly fantastic. The greatest gift has been rediscovering the world through her eyes."
Edinburgh Live
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Scottish BBC star Hazel Irvine's life away from TV - secret wedding and baby at 43
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Hazel Irvine, a stalwart of the BBC for over 30 years and the face of snooker coverage since 2000, is recognised as a pioneering figure in sports broadcasting - being one of the first women to host such programmes on the BBC. Despite her preference for keeping her personal life private, there are some lesser-known details about the Scottish presenter. Born in St Andrews, Scotland, Hazel studied History of Art at university but her passion for sports was clear as she was an active member of her university's netball, golf and athletics teams. In a chat with the Mail in 2019, Hazel revealed: "As a child, I spent my pocket money on stickers for an Olympics sticker book. "I had a very happy childhood doing sport and outdoor stuff. My dad, Bill, made this half-size snooker table for my brother and me as kids, and Mum crocheted the pockets!". Her career in radio and television didn't kick off until 1988 when she was 59, guest hosting the 1988 Olympics and the 1990 World Cup, reports the Mirror. In what came as a surprise to many, Hazel tied the knot with her long-term partner in 2008. Despite their lengthy relationship, it seemed that they felt the time was right to marry when she was 43. Opting for a more intimate ceremony, the couple exchanged vows in a quaint Scottish setting, surrounded by loved ones. At her wedding, Hazel happily announced that she and her husband were "very happy". Her statement confirmed: "I can confirm that she married her long-term partner a few months ago. It was a small and very private affair, and she and her husband are very happy. She wants to keep all the details private." In the following year, Hazel shared some blissful news during a London charity sports quiz, hinting at their expanding family by joking about her "own credit crunch looming". Delving further, she quipped: "My clothes are already feeling the squeeze. My husband and I have a new arrival coming in the spring - which is going to be a drain on my own profits." Having relocated from Scotland to London, Hazel's family seems to be embracing the city life, enjoying a myriad of sports and activities in their new home.
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hazel Irvine's life away from snooker - husband, secret wedding and baby at 43
Hazel Irvine has been a familiar face to sports fans for decades, but she likes to keep her personal life out of the spotlight - as she commentates today's snooker World Championship, The Mirror takes a look at her life off screen Hazel Irvine has been one of the voices of the BBC for over three decades and has been the face of the snooker coverage since 2000. The Scottish presenter is considered a trailblazer as one of the first females to host sports broadcasts on the BBC. While fans of the presenter are aware that she tends to keep her private life under wraps, there are a few lesser-known facts about the TV host. Hazel was born in St Andrews, Scotland and pursued a degree in History of Art at university. However, her love for sports was evident as she actively participated in her university's netball, golf and athletics teams. In a 2019 interview with the Mail, Hazel shared: "As a child, I spent my pocket money on stickers for an Olympics sticker book. "I had a very happy childhood doing sport and outdoor stuff. My dad, Bill, made this half-size snooker table for my brother and me as kids, and Mum crocheted the pockets!". It wasn't until 1988, however, that the 59 year old embarked on her career in radio and television, guest hosting the 1988 Olympics and the 1990 World Cup. In a surprising move to many, Hazel married her long-term partner in 2008. Despite having been together for a significant period, it seemed the timing finally felt right for them at the age of 43. Preferring a more personal touch, the couple said their 'I dos' in a cosy Scottish setting, surrounded by friends and family. At her nuptials, Hazel joyfully confirmed that she and her beau were "very happy". Her statement noted: 'I can confirm that she married her long-term partner a few months ago. It was a small and very private affair, and she and her husband are very happy. She wants to keep all the details private." The next year brought more joy for Hazel as she revealed at a London charity sports quiz that they were expecting a baby. She playfully informed the crowd about her "own credit crunch looming". Elaborating on this, she shared: "My clothes are already feeling the squeeze. My husband and I have a new arrival coming in the spring - which is going to be a drain on my own profits." The family, formerly of Scotland, has made the move to London, where they're surely living life to the fullest with plenty of sports and activities!
