Hugo Duncan

{{Short description|Northern Irish singer and presenter}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

{{pp-pc1}}

{{no footnotes|date=March 2018}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Hugo Duncan
MBE

| caption =

| image = hugoduncan.jpg

| imagesize =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1950|03|26}}

| birth_place = Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland

| occupation = Radio presenter singer

}}

Hugo Duncan (Hugh Anthony Duncan) MBE (born 26 March 1950, in Strabane) is a singer and BBC broadcaster born in Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in 1950.{{Cite web |date=16 June 2018 |title=Hugo Duncan: 'Bankruptcy was tough, but watching my daughter Suzanne deal with cancer puts it all into perspective' |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/hugo-duncan-bankruptcy-was-tough-but-watching-my-daughter-suzanne-deal-with-cancer-puts-it-all-into-perspective/37006980.html |website=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk}} His nickname is "The wee man from Strabane" or "Uncle Hugo".{{Cite web |date=27 September 2019 |title=Hugo Duncan: It was Danish delight as couple make the trip to Spain to see the wee man from Strabane |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/hugo-duncan-it-was-danish-delight-as-couple-make-the-trip-to-spain-to-see-the-wee-man-from-strabane/38537260.html |website=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Radio Ulster's Hugo Duncan inducted into the prestigious IMRO Radio Hall of Fame |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/radio-ulsters-hugo-duncan-inducted-into-the-prestigious-imro-radio-hall-of-fame-4796895}}

In the early 70s, he was spotted on a TV talent show on RTÉ and signed by the then fledgling Release Records,{{Cite web |title=Hugo Duncan - The Hits Of Hugo Duncan |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/3458753-Hugo-Duncan-The-Hits-Of-Hugo-Duncan- |website=Discogs}} which later spawned such stars as Philomena Begley, Ray Lynam, and Eurovision star Johnny Logan.{{Cite web |title=Release Records (2) |url=https://www.discogs.com/label/88934-Release-Records-2?page=1 |website=Discogs}}

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".{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Joanne |date=22 January 2022 |title='Everyone loves the best of country music across Ulster - it unites us' |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/catching-up-with-the-wee-man-from-strabane-3535976 |work=Newsletter.co.uk}}

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, every Sunday from 14:00 to 16:00.

From 1997 to 2002, Duncan co-hosted "Town Challenge" with George Jones, Christine Lampard and Tom McDermott.{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=James Martin |date=14 May 2023 |title=Ten locally produced TV programmes we miss |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/history/ten-ni-tv-programmes-yesteryear-26870622 |website=Belfast Live}}

In October 1998, he was given the opportunity to present Hugo Duncan's Country Afternoon on Radio Ulster each weekday from 13:30 to 15:00.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2023 |title=Hugo Duncan shares life experiences as he speaks out about social media attacks |url=https://www.strabaneweekly.co.uk/news/2023/04/30/gallery/hugo-duncan-shares-life-experiences-as-he-speaks-out-about-social-media-attacks-43130/ |website=StrabaneWeekly.co.uk}} The theme tune used on his BBC Radio Ulster show is "Rocky Top", while he closes each programme with "Yakety Sax" (also known as the theme to The Benny Hill Show). In 2023, Duncan celebrated 25 years with Radio Ulster.{{Cite web |date=5 October 2023 |title=23K views · 506 reactions | Hugo Duncan's 25th anniversary | 🎉 It's Hugo's 25th {{sic|anniversay|nolink=y}} in broadcasting ... |url=https://www.facebook.com/BBCRadioUlster/videos/238295215539358/ |publisher=BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Radio Foyle |via=Facebook.com}}{{Cite news |last=Mullan |first=Kevin |date=9 March 2023 |title=BBC rows back on Radio Foyle cut proposals with promise of half-hour breakfast show and hourly news bulletins |url=https://www.derryjournal.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/bbc-rows-back-on-radio-foyle-cut-proposals-with-promise-of-half-hour-breakfast-show-and-hourly-news-bulletins-4057732 |url-access=subscription}}

In 2001, along with Eamonn Holmes, Hugo appeared in episode two of series one of popular BBC NI comedy Give My Head Peace.

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".{{Cite web |last=McGlumphie |first=Shengas |date=18 March 2014 |title=Colin Farrell Set To Play Hugo Duncan In Movie, 'A Good Day To Die Diddly' |url=https://tyronetribulations.com/2014/03/18/colin-farrell-set-to-play-hugo-duncan-in-movie-a-good-day-to-die-diddly/ |website=TyroneTribulations.com}}

In 2017 Duncan was declared bankrupt.{{Cite web |date=23 December 2017 |title=Hugo Duncan declared bankrupt |url=https://www.derryjournal.com/news/hugo-duncan-declared-bankrupt-718256 |url-access=subscription |website=DerryJournal.com}}

In addition to his radio work, and Belfast Telegraph column,{{Cite web |date=27 September 2019 |title=Hugo Duncan: It was Danish delight as couple make the trip to Spain to see the wee man from Strabane |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/hugo-duncan-it-was-danish-delight-as-couple-make-the-trip-to-spain-to-see-the-wee-man-from-strabane/38537260.html |website=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk}} Duncan plays regularly on the live circuit with shows throughout Ireland on a nightly basis, and regular tours to England and Scotland.{{Cite web |title=Glór Tíre - Rogha & Togha |url=https://tvprofil.com/ie/show/6353881/glor-tire-rogha-togha |website=TVProfil.com}}