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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
F1 host Bernie Collins' life off-screen from real name to love life and feeling 'like a fraud'
Bernie Collins is a familiar face to Formula 1 fans as she comments on all the action from the motorsport as part of the Sky Sports presenting team She's the former head of strategy for the Formula 1 Aston Martin team but now Bernie Collins is a familiar face with fans as she provides expert analysis for Sky Sports. Most weekends, Bernie can be seen alongside other members of the broadcaster's Formula 1 presenting team as they bring all the news, highlights and live race commentary from the Grands Prix action across the world. Bernie, who is from Northern Ireland, is renowned for her experience as a strategist and fans rely on her guidance throughout the season. But how did Bernie land such a coveted role and what does she get up to off-screen? We take a look at her early career and life away from the race track. Real name and early career Born in the mid '80s in a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, Bernie's real name is Bernadette Collins. She began her career as a trainee with McLaren after graduating from Queen's University Belfast in 2009. Three years later, she became a performance engineer, working with 2009 World Champion Jenson Button. She joined Force India in 2015 and helped the team finish 4th in the following year's Constructors' Championship. In 2022, she joined F1 TV as an analyst before joinging Sky Sports the following year. Love life Bernie is engaged to the former F1 mechanic Ryan McGarva and often shares photos of them on their travels on her Instagram account. They got engaged last December during a ski holiday in France. In an interview with Irish News she said: 'Ryan and I met a long time ago through motorsport, but the proposal came as a total surprise. 'Ryan actually got down on one ski and proposed during a ski trip to Tignes in the French Alps. We haven't set a date yet, but it is all very exciting.' Bernie shared the exciting update with fans by posting a selection of photos on Instagram from the year, with the final snap taken during their break capturing Bernie on the piste and showing off a sparking ring. She captioned the post: "2024 with a single picture for each month. Bit early but I'm pretty sure December can't be topped! (ring emoji)." Her colleagues rushed to congratulate the couple with Karun Chandhok saying: "Ahhh congratulations!" Natalie Pinkham said: "Oh Bernie!! This is the BEST news! Huge congratulations my darling." And Rachel Brooks commented: "Yey!!!! Amazing news! Congratulations!" The pair live in Warwickshire, reports the Irish News, and foster guide dogs. During the interview as she fostered her latest dog she said: "We look after the dogs until they find a forever home. This dog failed its training because he wouldn't put on a harness, unfortunately, but he will make a great pet for some family. "I got involved probably for a few selfish reasons, but it helps the centre out and is also a really nice way that we can have dog on a sort of part-time basis – while travelling around the world. And he is definitely helping my new year health kick by getting me out walking - at a nice normal pace." Feeling 'like a fraud' Bernie has admitted that moving from the pit wall to in front of the camera was an uneasy transition. "For a long time, I felt like I was a bit of a fraud, not doing enough work on the pit wall. I felt a bit like I wasn't contributing as much to the sport. Before, the decisions I made directly affected the outcome of the race," she said in an interview with The Telegraph. "When you're on the pit wall you're very confident in your ability, you are very 'in your moment'. You've done a lot of work on the data and you've got the support network around you. To step away from that and then be on screen, much more public facing was a bit more daunting. "When I did my first race [for Sky Sports ] in Jeddah in 2023, I probably didn't really think about the number of people that were watching at home. I felt a bit initially like I wasn't contributing as much to the sport," she says. But she says she's learned a lot from colleagues like renowned commentators Martin Brundle and David Croft and now accepts the importance of her broadcasting role. She added: "When you get out and speak to people in the real world, that is when it really brings it home to me the difference I make to whoever the viewer is at home. The more people I interacted with from the audience, the more I realised that actually my influence on the viewer is much bigger than it's ever been before."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Wonderful victory for Dublin heritage' as new solution to prevent people groping Molly Malone statue to be implemented
A PROPOSED solution to prevent people groping the Molly Malone statue is set to be implemented in the coming weeks. For years, the statue has been the focus of a tradition in which visitors would rub the famous fishmonger's breasts for good luck. The practice, which started around 2012 and was likely created by tour guides, has left the statue discoloured and led to calls to stop the practice. Earlier this year, The council found that when approached, most people were cooperative and refrained from touching the statue. However, when stewards would leave, they found that the practice would quickly return. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS After a week-long trial, the council concluded that the stewards were unsustainable in the long term. Now, instead, they have decided to install flower beds around the base of the statue in an attempt to create a distance between the landmark and visitors. It follows similar methods by the council to limit antisocial behaviour around the Dublin portal last year, which included the use of proximity sensors which would blur the screen when people stepped too close. The flowerbeds are expected to be installed alongside restoration work, which will see the damage done to the statue repaired over the summer. Most read in Irish News Speaking with Regarding the issue, he said: "I don't want people to touch the statue at all. Where people are touching it, it is disturbing for some people, for others it's not, but the damage to the statue is the main reason we don't want this to go on." These steps by the council represent years of work and campaigns calling for a stop to the practice. LEAVE MOLLY ALONE One such campaign is Leave Molly Alone. Created by singer-songwriter Tilly Cripwell, it sought greater respect and care for the statue. Discussing the move, Cripwell said: "This is a wonderful victory for Dublin's heritage." She added: "Molly Malone deserves to be admired and respected. I'm thrilled that Dublin City Council has taken action." 1 The Molly Malone statue has been the focus of a tradition in which visitors would rub the famous fishmonger's breasts for good luck Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Watch horror moment Irish village submerged underwater as cars struggle to drive after heavy rain batters Ireland
THIS is the shocking moment a busy Irish village was submerged under water after heavy rain battered the country. Devastating footage shows the swamped streets of Dromcollogher on the Cork-Limerick border after the flash floods from thunderstorms on Sunday. Advertisement 5 A village suffered a flash flood from thunderstorms yesterday Credit: Carlow Weather/x 5 The access to the village was cut off on its three main arteries Credit: Carlow Weather/x 5 Many roads were left impassable Credit: Carlow Weather/x This weekend, The videos shared by Alan O'Reilly of The intense rain left the area under at least two feet of water. And many Advertisement READ MORE ON NEWS It can pose Many turbulent swirls and small debris, such as leaves, twigs and slit, were seen being swept along the water down the streets. Concerned residents of The flood also left roads impassable for hours, many Advertisement Most read in Irish News Sandbags were also distributed to protect local properties at risk. Floodwater gushes into New York city subway station amid heavy rainfall "Fire crews and roads staff are onsite. I had driven through Dromcollogher earlier and all was quiet and peaceful. Advertisement "Hope everyone is safe at this point." He stated that the council housing directorate is arranging accommodation for the families that were affected by the flood. Michael confirmed that all roads in the area are open after emergency crews' efforts to pump out the water and a clean-up operation is currently underway. 'SCARY TIMES' In the wake of the flash floods, people on Advertisement One person wrote: "Scary times, I hope everyone is okay." Another person added: "Pray for the poor people and their flooded homes, hope the council will rehome affected people..." The third person said: "Such scary sights, hope everyone is staying safe." The fourth person added: "So much water... I hope people stay home and stay safe." Advertisement 5 Emergency services were deployed to help the stranded villagers Credit: Carlow Weather/x 5 Further heavy rain is expected to fall today Credit: Meteologix
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 60s, killed in overnight Cork house fire as woman, 60s hospitalised as scene sealed off ahead of technical exam
A MAN, 60s, has died after a blaze broke out at a home in a busy village in Co Cork late last night. The tragic incident occurred at a property in the Ardcullen residential development in Gardai and A man in his 60s was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another occupant, a woman in her 60s, had been able to escape the house fire with neighbours' help and was rushed to The spokesperson for the READ MORE ON GARDA The fire was extinguished by the Cork City Fire Brigade. Talking to the "When crews entered the house, a second male was found. Resuscitation efforts were made, but unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased." The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination, which will be conducted in due course. Most read in Irish News A post-mortem examination will also be conducted, with the local coroner notified. Investigations into the incident are ongoing and the cause of the house fire is unknown at this time. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Separately, pensioner Cork, early on Saturday morning. At around 6.30am, a member of the public spotted a bicycle in the middle of the road with Dempsey's body lying nearby. Dempsey's sad passing comes just months after his It's reported that the retired farmer returned home on May 5 to find emergency services attending to the blaze. He had been living alone in Horsehill, Ballinadee, near Bandon when the fire broke out. Following the incident, the bachelor stayed with a neighbour and was approved for emergency accommodation by Cork County WITNESS APPEAL have made an urgent appeal for witnesses following the discovery of Dempsey's body. They said: "Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. "In particular, they are seeking information regarding a male observed cycling on roads in the vicinity of Kildarra in the early hours of Saturday 19 July 2025. "Additionally, any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardaí. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bandon Garda Station on 023 885 2200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station." 1 Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene Credit: Cork Council
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Major CAO alert for Leaving Cert students as Irish universities to modify points calculation for key courses
CHANGES to the entry requirements for studying medicine at Irish universities will see Leaving Cert results carry more weight. The Irish Universities Association (IUA) announced that Irish universities with medical schools are modifying the calculations of points for Applicants to study medicine are currently required to sit the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT) in addition to the And the points achieved in the exams are combined with the HPAT score to give an overall total, which is used to determine if they have reached enough points for certain medicine programs in Under the current system, the HPAT is marked out of 300, and Leaving Cert points of 550 and above are moderated, meaning they are adjusted up to a maximum of 565 points, and the maximum possible score is 865. However, when the new system with the changes comes into effect, Leaving Cert points will no longer be moderated and the HPAT will be marked out of 150 instead of 300. READ MORE ON LEAVING CERT Therefore, the new maximum score will be 775, with 150 points from the HPAT and 625 points from the Leaving Cert. The changes are being introduced as a result of the significant ongoing increase in the number of By next year, over 200 extra places will have become available across all undergraduate medicine programmes, including through a new programme at the They said: "In addition, following the revised Leaving Certificate grading scale and points scale in 2017, significant changes have taken place in overall points profiles across the Leaving Certificate cohort. Most read in Irish News "In addition, the Leaving Certificate has proven to be a stronger predictor of performance in Medicine degree programmes. "The universities now have well established supplementary admissions pathways such as DARE, HEAR and mature entry routes to support access to medical education by more diverse student profiles, as well as through the Graduate Entry to Medicine routes." Ireland's oldest Leaving Cert student awaits results as grandson to sit exams next year The new changes will not be applied until 2027 to facilitate secondary school The IUA said: " The existing scheme for calculating points (Leaving Cert plus HPAT) will not change until 2027. " Applicants are reminded to make sure they are aware of any school-specific eligibility requirements for medicine programmes. " CHANGES APPLY TO SIX UNIVERSITIES This means that students applying to study medicine through the portal from 2027 onwards will still be required to present Leaving Cert and HPAT results. The minimum requirement of 480 points achieved in the same sitting of the Leaving Cert will also remain. It will apply to all Irish, Irish Universities Association confirmed that the changes will apply to the University of Galway, the University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, the University College Cork, the Further HPAT and CAO application details will be available in the normal timeline. 1 The changes for the entry to the medicine programmes are coming into effect in 2027 Credit: Getty Images - Getty
