Northern Ireland

Holly Hamilton only found out minutes before radio show that she was replacing Stephen Nolan

The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole was cut off by presenter Stephen Nolan during his radio show. Picture by Hugh Russell
Stephen Nolan is yet to return to the airwaves after the Christmas holidays. Picture by Hugh Russell

Holy Hamilton is taking over the Stephen Nolan show for the next few weeks - but only found out a few minutes before the radio programme started on Wednesday.

The high profile presenter told listeners to the BBC Radio Ulster show that it’s a weird part of the year.

Mr Nolan is on holiday and Ms Hamilton has been a regular back up presenter on his radio show.

Stepping in at short notice, she told listeners: “We’re at that weird part where we don’t really know what day of the week it is….it is Wednesday isn’t it?

BBC Breakfast sports presenter Holly Hamilton is from Greyabbey in Co Down
BBC Breakfast sports presenter Holly Hamilton is from Greyabbey in Co Down

“Some of us are back to work, some of us aren’t yet and I’ll be perfectly honest with you until literally a few minutes ago I didn’t know I was back to work so that was fun this morning.

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“You can ask me about that if you want later in the programme.”

Asked what had happened, a BBC spokesperson said: “Stephen Nolan is on scheduled annual leave and will be back on-air later in the month.”

Still in the festive mood, the presenter posted a on Tuesday: “This is the nicest desert I’ve ever had. Hot caramelised banana crepe with cream. The fact I was eating it at 10am is NOT the way forward in 2024!”

Sports presenter Ms Hamilton is well known for her work with BBC Breakfast, covering major events like Wimbledon and previously provided holiday cover for the Nolan programme last summer.