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Irish Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘I loved every day I worked with Seán and will miss him': tributes paid to beloved RTÉ presenter Seán Rocks
President Michael D Higgins , friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Seán Rocks , the RTÉ broadcaster and actor, who died on Wednesday after a brief illness, aged 64. Rocks presented the nightly arts and culture show Arena on RTÉ Radio 1 since the show's inception in 2009. He was also an actor, appearing in plays at the Gate , Peacock and Abbey theatres, and he was recognised and admired for the knowledge and empathy he brought to his role interviewing some of the country's best known arts figures. In a statement, the President said Ireland had lost 'one of its finest broadcasters and advocates for the arts'. [ Seán Rocks: Ireland has lost one of its great cultural champions Opens in new window ] 'Seán's show Arena on Radio 1 was an example, for all generations of listeners, of the deep, wide and supportive curiosity that he delivered from a rich insight into all aspects of the arts and culture. Seán's interest in all forms of the arts shone through on every topic and he expanded so many people's appreciation of performance and culture of all kinds,' the President said. READ MORE Sinéad Egan, series producer of Arena, told The Irish Times that Rocks's time as an actor gave him a 'fascinating' perspective. 'It meant that he appreciated how important every single piece of art was to the people involved, no matter the scale,' she said. 'Seán was beloved in RTÉ radio and within the arts community. It is impossible to overstate Seán's warmth and empathy as a person and as a broadcaster. He knew that for guests on Arena, art is life. Making radio with Seán was a privilege and a joy. Time and again, the best writers, visual artists, musicians, actors and film-makers came to Arena to talk to Seán because they knew he would engage fully with their work and ideas. His loss is profound. I am devastated for Seán and for his beautiful family.' Donal Ryan, author Seán was a deeply warm, funny and kind man with an incredible intellect and vast empathy. He always made people around him feel special and appreciated. I remember meeting him years ago in the RTÉ canteen and he could tell that I was nervous. He put his arm around me and said, 'Ah Donal, you'll be grand,' and I was. There was nothing like turning on the radio on a long drive home and hearing that Arena was about to start. It was miraculous, to have such a rich, entertaining and expansive show every day, presented with such easy brilliance. Seán is a huge loss to all of us, but I can only imagine his family's devastation. My deepest sympathy to Catherine, Morgan, Christian and all of his loved ones. Kay Sheehy, former series producer of Arena If there is magic in radio it has to be on air, and Seán Rocks had plenty of magic moments. But for me, thinking back with sadness and love for my friend and colleague Seán, the magic I liked most was in our pre-show tussles. We just loved to have a good old barney about a play, book or performance we had seen. We'd bicker and bark with disbelief about what the other 'could possibly' have admired or hated. It may have got the critical juices flowing for the show ahead, but for me it was fun, because he was fun. A producer's worst fear is some hare-brained idea they have being dismissed by an all-knowing presenter. That was never the case with Seán. 'Let's go to the Abbey and do a deep dive show on Conor McPherson's The Weir with the writer, director Caitríona McLaughlin , actor Brendan Coyle and cast interpreting the play?' He would jump at the chance. 'Let's do a Trad Fest special with Janis Ian, with others singing her songs as her voice is no longer up to it'? Again it was a yes. I loved every day I worked with Seán and will miss him. Elaine Feeney, author Seán Rocks was so brilliant and smart, he was deeply supportive of the arts (of all persuasion of arts), and his knowledge and understanding of culture was unparalleled. He understood what creativity meant, and was a light on the many evenings I listened to him, even on dark days when the whole world seemed off kilter, he was reliable and reassuring. I am so very sad to hear of his untimely passing. (From Instagram) Olan McGowan, former producer of Arena Seán Rocks was the best, the most natural presenter I ever worked with. It was a pleasure producing Arena, going through material before the show and it was always a pleasure sitting in studio when he was in the chair. Nobody had a greater appreciation of the arts than Seán. His ability to go from the latest Netflix series to a highbrow author and then back to music of any genre, all in one show, was unparalleled. I always said Arena was a very good show with a very good team, but it was Seán that made it great. He is irreplaceable. (From Instagram) Edel Coffey, author and former RTÉ radio researcher I started working on Arena a long time ago, which is how I got to know and love Seán Rocks. He was always brilliant and interested and smart and informed, but also he was always kind and funny and great fun. I have lovely memories of chair-dancing in the studio with him as we reviewed albums. He was very special, a total gentleman. This is devastating news for him, his family, the arts community and radio broadcasting. Joseph Chester, singer-songwriter Going on to Arena to talk to Seán was always a bit more nerve-racking than any other interview simply because his knowledge of the arts was so deep and you knew he would never let you get away with blather and cliches. You had to be prepared for an interview with Seán. For that reason I think that his interviews had a depth and understanding that few others had. He was also so supportive to me, inviting me on the show whenever I had an album coming out. I was in with him just a few weeks ago, talking about Françoise Sagan, sadness and life and playing a few pieces for him. He was in great form, curious and warm and talking off air about his family. He will be so missed. (From Instagram) Roisín O'Donnell, author People talk about feeling seen, and I think that's what Seán did for everyone who walked into his studio. He had that rare gift for making people feel seen, heard and understood. Back in 2016, I was a very nervous young writer, just starting out, but Seán put me instantly at ease, and talked about my stories with such insight and empathy. I walked out of there feeling like a million dollars. His wit, intelligence and passion for the arts in all forms was truly remarkable. The Irish arts scene has lost a real legend. (From Instagram) Sinéad Gleeson, author and Arena contributor I am – along with so many in the Irish arts community – devastated to hear about the death of Seán Rocks, presenter of @rte_arena . An intelligent, curious, warm broadcaster who lifted us all up, but more importantly, was a wonderful person. A total gentleman, always smiling who put people at ease. I loved the studio chats before the mic was live, where we often talked about our kids. I was only on air with him nine days ago and I couldn't make it to studio, and now I wish I had. He was one of a kind and will be so missed. (From Instagram) Nadine O'Regan, Irish Times journalist and Arena contributor Seán Rocks was one of the most lovely people you could ever encounter. He was gas off air – with plenty of anecdotes and wisecracks – and professional, good-humoured, thoughtful and wise on air. There were so many lessons you could take from Seán as a presenter. He was a brilliant listener, with a finely tuned ear for a turn in a conversation, or a change in tone. He was extremely respectful to his guests – whether you were a huge star or a small contributor, he treated everyone the same. He was ego-free. And he was consistent – he always gave the show his all. Just the other week, I was saying to one of Arena's team how brilliant the show was, and how much I enjoyed contributing to it. 'Everything stems from the presenter,' she said. 'Seán is the same off-air as on – and he brings that atmosphere with him.' Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, poet and author Dinner with Seán Rocks A year ago I started having dinner with Seán Rocks. I light the candles, pour a glass of wine And set my plate upon the table. Then Arena starts. 'Imagine turning up For an interview with that!' he says. Novelists and singers. My favourites are the film critics: so frank and honest. It's March. I turn on the radio. The dark locked garden calls for candles. After the clock springs on In April they're not really needed. But still I persist. Dinner with Seán Rocks, at seven every evening. It's March again. A year has passed, The year of Covid. I light the candles, set My plate upon the table. Rice and chicken. 'I want to Finish with something I know you love!' You know what I like about Seán Rocks? He's nice. He has a melodious voice. He's not pompous, never perky. He speaks decent Irish. 'Anois an Nuacht ó Mháire de Bhailís' He says before his show begins. 'That is our lot for this evening.' Much has happened Since last March. Birth and death. And yet 'Tá sé díreach in am do John Creedon.' (from Facebook)
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Zoe Ball's departure triggers loss of half a million BBC Radio 2 listeners
BBC Radio 2 has lost nearly 500k listeners in recent months after Zoe Ball's exit from the breakfast show in December BBC Radio 2 has seen a significant drop in its audience, losing nearly half a million listeners since introducing its revamped weekday line-up earlier this year, according to recent figures. The BBC station had replaced its renowned breakfast host, Zoe Ball, with Scott Mills after she stepped down from the position due to family commitments. The station had an estimated weekly audience of 12.62 million across April to June of this year, down from 13.11 million in the previous three months. It is the lowest total for Radio 2 since the current method of measuring listeners was introduced by research body Rajar in autumn 2021, following a break during the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest statistics are the first complete set of quarterly data reflecting changes made to the station's weekday programming, which took effect at the end of January 2025. Among the changes was Mills stepping in as the new breakfast show host, replacing Zoe. Other alterations included Trevor Nelson taking over the afternoon slot and DJ Spoony launching a late-night show from Monday to Thursday. Zoe presented her final breakfast programme on December 20 last year, after nearly six years in the role. Gaby Roslin and Mark Goodier temporarily hosted the show throughout January until Mills officially took over. Zoe announced last November that she would be stepping down as host of the Radio 1 Breakfast show to "focus on family". The broadcaster shares two children, Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14 with her ex-husband, Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim. Announcing her decision live on air, Zoe said: "After six years of fun times alongside you all on the breakfast show, I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter." She also expressed her excitement about her replacement being Mills, telling listeners: "Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. He's been a close friend for years, and I'm beyond thrilled it's him taking over the Breakfast Show." She continued: "Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year he's had - from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam. He's not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I can't wait to tune in on the school run!" Radio 2's weekly audience has dropped by nearly two million over the past three years, falling from 14.53 million in April–June 2022. Despite the decline, it's still one of the most popular radio stations in the UK. The audience for the Today programme is down very slightly from 5.70 million in the previous three months, but up from 5.47 million in the equivalent period a year ago. This period has seen a number of veteran DJs disappear from the Radio 2 airwaves, such as Ken Bruce, who left to join Greatest Hits in March 2023; Steve Wright, who died in February 2024; and Johnnie Walker, who died in December 2024. Despite the loss of listeners, Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: "I'm hugely proud that in a quarter where Radio 2 shone a light on Eurovision, celebrated Elaine Paige's 60 years in showbusiness, launched the RHS Radio 2 Dog Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, and presented a VE Day 80 concert, Radio 2 firmly remains the UK's most listened to single radio station." "Congratulations to Scott Mills, whose Breakfast Show remains the number one breakfast show in the country, and Vernon Kay, whose weekday mid-morning show continues to be the most listened to programme on UK radio, with a weekly audience of 6.6 million," she continued.
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC disaster as Radio 2 loses half a million listeners after Zoe Ball quits and is replaced by Scott Mills
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BBC Radio 2's presenter switch-up has seen the channel lose half a million weekly listeners. Back in December, former Radio 1 broadcaster Scott Mills, 51, was revealed as Zoe Ball's replacement as she took a break from the plum presenting spot. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 BBC Radio 2's listening figures have plummeted since a presenter switch up Credit: PA 7 Scott Mills took over the Breakfast Show slot, yet listeners have dropped as the year goes on Credit: Supplied 7 Zoe Ball quit her Breakfast Show in December Credit: PA 7 Zoe has since returned to the BBC Radio 2 fold with The Zoe Ball Show, which airs every Saturday Credit: PA At the time Zoe, 54 - who had been absent from a handful of shows due to issues off air - told how December 20 would be her last early-morning programme after six years as she chose to "focus on family." Listeners were quick to spot three clues she was set to up sticks, including a family tragedy. She has since returned to the BBC Radio 2 fold with The Zoe Ball Show, which airs every Saturday. Yet between April and June 2025 the station has lost half a million listeners compared to figures from three months earlier. Scott took over in January 2025. Between January and March 2025, 13.11million listeners tuned into the station overall. Yet during the most recent time period reviewed, this dropped to 12.62million. Specifically for the Breakfast Show, figures marked 6.45million average weekly listeners from January to March. Yet between April and June, this has dropped to 6.22million. Zoe Ball says it's 'lovely to be back' as she returns to BBC Radio 2 after stepping down from breakfast show ALL CHANGE Zoe's last BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show was on Friday, December 20 - with "plenty of fun and shenanigans" ahead of Christmas. Yet at the time, Zoe said she would remain on BBC Radio 2. She said: 'After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it's time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family." Telling her listeners about her decision, she said: "I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. Zoe Ball's career so far Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia. She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children's show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest. The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays. After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley. In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One's saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997. Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post. The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox. As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007. In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office. In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place. In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two. She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries. After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021. Zoe's journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O'Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans. After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot's Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm. In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019. "We've shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats." She added she would also miss her colleagues, saying they were "like family to me". The early morning presenter added: "But I won't miss the 4am alarm call, if I'm completely honest. "You know I love you all to bits." 7 Zoe quit the early morning slot to 'focus on family' Credit: BBC 7 She is now back on the channel with a Saturday show Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
BBC disaster as Radio 2 loses half a million listeners after Zoe Ball quits and is replaced by Scott Mills
BBC Radio 2's presenter switch-up has seen the channel lose half a million weekly listeners. Back in December, former Radio 1 broadcaster 7 BBC Radio 2's listening figures have plummeted since a presenter switch up Credit: PA 7 Scott Mills took over the Breakfast Show slot, yet listeners have dropped as the year goes on Credit: Supplied 7 Zoe Ball quit her Breakfast Show in December Credit: PA 7 Zoe has since returned to the BBC Radio 2 fold with The Zoe Ball Show, which airs every Saturday Credit: PA At the time told how December 20 would be her as she chose to "focus on family." Listeners were quick to she was set to up sticks, including a family tragedy. She has since returned to the BBC Radio 2 fold with The Zoe Ball Show, which airs every Saturday. Yet between April and June 2025 the station has lost half a million listeners compared to figures from three months earlier. read more radio 2 Scott took over in January 2025. Between January and March 2025, 13.11million listeners tuned into the station overall. Yet during the most recent time period reviewed, this dropped to 12.62million. Specifically for the Breakfast Show, figures marked 6.45million average weekly listeners from January to March. Most read in Celebrity Yet between April and June, this has dropped to 6.22million. Zoe Ball says it's 'lovely to be back' as she returns to BBC Radio 2 after stepping down from breakfast show ALL CHANGE Zoe's Yet at the time, Zoe said she would remain on BBC Radio 2. She said: 'After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it's time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family." Telling her listeners about her decision, she said: "I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. Zoe Ball's career so far Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia. She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children's show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest. The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays. After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One's saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997. Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post. The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries. After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe Zoe's journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O'Leary, After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot's Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm. In October 2018, "We've shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats." She added she would also miss her colleagues, saying they were "like family to me". The early morning presenter added: "But I won't miss the 4am alarm call, if I'm completely honest. "You know I love you all to bits." 7 Zoe quit the early morning slot to 'focus on family' Credit: BBC 7 She is now back on the channel with a Saturday show Credit: PA 7 Between April and June, Scott's Breakfast Show listening figures have dropped to 6.22million. Credit: PA
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Pedro Pascal joins Marvel after lemonade stand ambush
The actor Pedro Pascal tells Radio 1's Ali Plumb how his Fantastic Four fate was sealed by a bold kid with citrus and connections.
