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Sean Rafferty

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For the poet, see Seán Rafferty.

André Previn and Sean Rafferty (standing) (2012)

Sean Rafferty MBE (born 1947,[1][2][3] Belfast) is a Northern Irish broadcaster, known for his work on BBC Radio 3.

Early life

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Rafferty was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and spent his childhood in Newcastle, County Down, as an adopted child.[2] He went on to study law at Queen's University, Belfast.[4]

Career

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Rafferty's original career was as an accountant.[4] In 1969, he met the head of BBC Northern Ireland at a conference. This meeting led to Rafferty joining the BBC as a researcher.[5]

Rafferty became a regular presenter on the BBC Northern Ireland news television programmes, Scene Around Six and Inside Ulster. In 1990, he fronted the first chat show on BBC Radio Ulster, entitled Rafferty. From 1994, he joined the morning radio news programme, Good Morning Ulster, and the arts programme 29 Bedford Street, and the following year, he launched the drivetime news and current affairs programme on Radio Ulster, Evening Extra.[1] Rafferty also fronted a makeover show, Room for Improvement.[5]

After years working mainly in news and current affairs, Rafferty decided to cross over into arts broadcasting. In 1997, he moved to London to present the drivetime music magazine programme on BBC Radio 3, In Tune,[1] featuring a mix of live and recorded classical and jazz music, interviews with musicians, and arts news.[6] In June 2024, at the behest of the recently appointed Controller of Radio 3, Sam Jackson,[3] BBC announced a series of planned presenter changes at Radio 3, including the scheduled retirement of Rafferty from In Tune in April 2025.[7] Rafferty continued to serve as principal presenter of In Tune until his final show on 6 December 2024,[8] after a decision to depart earlier than the previously announced time of April 2025.

Honours and awards

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In 2004, Rafferty was named Radio Broadcaster of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.[9]

Rafferty was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Gail Walker (21 May 1997). "Sean Rafferty quits for new job". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b Gail Walker (13 March 2021). "'I hope you listen to Radio Three, Ma'am, it can be very good for your soul': Sean Rafferty". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b Anita Singh (27 June 2024). "BBC Radio 3's Sean Rafferty 'shell-shocked' at being replaced after 27 years". Telegraph. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b Mark Savage (26 June 2024). "Sean Rafferty to leave Radio 3 after three decades". BBC News. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b Morris, Sophie (19 February 2011). "Sean Rafferty: My Life In Media - Media, News - The Independent". The Independent. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. ^ Kate Chisholm "Stalwarts of the airwaves" Archived 2012-04-30 at the Wayback Machine, The Spectator, 29 May 2010
  7. ^ "BBC Radio 3 announces presenter changes from April 2025: The changes include Petroc Trelawny becoming the new host of In Tune alongside Katie Derham" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Sean Rafferty and In Tune". BBC Radio 3. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  9. ^ "BPG TV & Radio Awards 2004". Broadcasting Press Guild. 31 December 2007. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  10. ^ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B21.
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