By Elliott West
Introduction
Snooker coverage was left with a void when David Vine retired as the presenter of the sport’s BBC coverage in 2000. Left with big shoes to fill, the channel searched high and low for someone to replace this legend. In the end, it fell to the meticulous and delectable Hazel Irvine to take up the helm, presenting the LG Cup in 2001 and she has been a leading light in the Triple Crown coverage for the BBC ever since.
Career
Born in St Andrew’s, Scotland, 1965, Hazel Irvine was educated at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh and went on to gain an Master of Arts at the University of St. Andrews. A keen sportsperson, she competed in golf, netball and athletics at university level and was Senior Student of Hamilton Hall in her final year.
After leaving university, Irvine began a career in broadcasting, working firstly in radio, firstly as a continuity announcer and then moved to be becoming a sports reporter and presenter. She then transferred to television and one of her first television projects, was working alongside Dickie Davis for the 1988 Olympics. Hazel was also a roving reporter at the Scotland training camp for the 1990 World Cup.
Irvine joined the BBC in 1990 and worked as a presenter on BBC Scotland’s Sportscene programme and went on to become the youngest-ever presenter of Grandstand in 1990. She was also the face of BBC Scotland’s coverage of Children in Need for ten years and co-hosted Hogmanay Live I 1994.
In 1995, Hazel introduced the FIFA Women’s Cup, started reporting on Football Focus, going on to be involved in four FIFA World Cup tournaments and started a long stint on the Summer and Winter Olympics. Irvine also began work as the lead on Ski Sunday and was given a key role as a presenter on the BBC’s coverage of the London Marathon and Wimbledon.
The Scot has also had a long and illustrious career at the helm of golf coverage for the BBC. Presenting events like the Ryder Cup, the European Masters and the Open, Irvin is able to captivate the audience with her knowledge of the game and sheer love for being at the helm of live events.
Summary
Widely respected throughout the snooker family, Hazel was deeply missed when she took a brief break from the BBC’s coverage but thankfully returned in time for this year’s World Championship. Irvine is a perfectionist, rehearsing thoroughly before her pieces to camera and helps bring the atmosphere of the tournament into our front rooms. Her warmth and smile, are always clear winners and she is able to bond with whoever she works with, helping bring a well-oiled production to our television screens. Hazel Irvine is a national treasure and is highly successful in any sports coverage she turns her hand to.
