The new year will see popular Irish broadcaster Derek Mooney taking on a new role. RTÉ Radio 1 have today announced that the 47-year-old will become Executive Producer across their nature and wildlife programming, confirming September speculation that he was interested in a return to the wildlife broadcasting for which he made his name with the likes of Mooney Goes Wild On 1 back in the '90s.
It means that, from January 9, he will no longer present his successful daily afternoon show, Mooney, on RTÉ Radio 1. Mooney Goes Wild will now air on the station at the weekends, while the Dubliner will be producing a new nature strand for the station which will air in Autumn 2015, as well as providing nature features for television. He takes up the new position in February
Celebrating his 30th anniversary with the national broadcaster next year, he first appeared on TV debate show Anything Goes. Mooney came to prominence with his wildlife broadcasting, but he has also had more general TV work, including Winning Streak, The Big Money Game Show, Echo Island and No Frontiers.
“There’s a wonderful world of nature out there," Mooney said today. "It’s time to explore it and no better place to do it than on radio but we won’t stop there. We will use every bit of technology and social media available to bring the natural world to our audience, wherever and however they choose to listen or watch. I’m also thrilled to be working with our partners in the EBU, particularly on projects like Nest Watch and the Dawn Chorus. Birds don’t recognise boarders, nor should we, I can’t wait to get started.”