Hugo Duncan (Hugh Anthony Duncan) (born 26 March 1950, in
Strabane) is a singer and BBC broadcaster born in
Strabane, County Tyrone,
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
on 26 March 1950. His nickname is "The wee man from
Strabane" or "Uncle Hugo".
In the early 70s, he was spotted on a TV talent show on
RTÉ and signed by the then fledgling Release Records, which later spawned such stars as
Philomena Begley, Ray Lynam, and
Eurovision star
Johnny Logan.
By the time he was twenty-one he had formed his own band, Hugo Duncan and the Tall Men, and had a number one hit in the Irish charts with "Dear God”
Hugo joined Radio Foyle during the 1980s doing holiday relief, after which he was offered a job presenting his own show on a weekly basis. He also presents a show on
Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle ( ga, BBC Raidió Feabhail) is a BBC Northern Ireland local radio station, serving County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. It is named after the River Foyle which flows through Derry, the city where the station is based. The s ...
, every Sunday from 14:00 to 16:00.
In October 1998, he was given the opportunity to present ''Hugo Duncan's Country Afternoon'' on
Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster ( ga, BBC Raidió Uladh) is a Northern Irish radio station owned and operated by BBC Northern Ireland, a division of the BBC. It was established on New Year's Day 1975, replacing what had been an opt-out of BBC Radio 4. It i ...
each weekday from 13:30 to 15:00. The theme tune used on his
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster ( ga, BBC Raidió Uladh) is a Northern Irish radio station owned and operated by BBC Northern Ireland, a division of the BBC. It was established on New Year's Day 1975, replacing what had been an opt-out of BBC Radio 4. It is ...
show is "
Rocky Top
"Rocky Top" is an American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year. The song, which is a city dweller's lamentation over the loss of a simpler a ...
", while he closes each programme with "
Yakety Sax
"Yakety Sax" is a pop novelty instrumental jointly composed by James Q. "Spider" Rich and Boots Randolph. Saxophonist Randolph popularized the selection in his 1963 recording, which reached number 35 on the pop charts. Comedian Benny Hill later ...
" (also known as the theme to ''
The Benny Hill Show
''The Benny Hill Show'' is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill that aired on the BBC and ITV (from 1969) between 15 January 1955 and 1 May 1989. The show consisted mainly of sketches that were full of slapstick, mime, parody ...
'').
In 2001, along with
, Hugo appeared in episode two of series one of popular BBC NI comedy ''
Give My Head Peace
''Give My Head Peace'' is a satirical television comedy series on BBC Northern Ireland that pokes fun at political parties, paramilitary groups and the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland. The programme is written by Tim McGarry, Damon Quinn ...
''.
Hugo is also a member of BBC Northern Ireland's team during their annual ''
Children in Need'' appeal. In 2006, Hugo dressed up as
Britney Spears and performed a version of her song "
...Baby One More Time".
In addition to his radio work, Duncan plays regularly on the live circuit with shows throughout Ireland on a nightly basis, and regular tours to England and Scotland.
External links
''Hugo Duncan''(BBC Radio Ulster)
DiscographyPhotos Of Hugo Duncan Outside Broadcast in Portadown Co. Armagh*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Duncan, Hugo
1950 births
Living people
Male singers from Northern Ireland
People from Strabane
Musicians from County Tyrone
Irish country singers