Pamela Ballantine

Pamela Ballantine
Born Pamela Rolston
(1958-10-20) 20 October 1958
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Education Richmond Lodge
Years active 19??-present
Home town Belfast
Spouse(s) John Paul Ballantine (19??-1994)

Pamela Ballantine (née Rolston, born 20 October 1958, Belfast)[1][2] is a freelance Northern Irish television presenter, best known for her 27-year career at UTV.

Broadcasting career

Ballantine began her broadcasting career at Downtown Radio as a secretary, and gradually moved on to reading and reporting for the Downtown newsroom, as well as presenting her own programme and covering for other programmes on the station. She later worked for BBC Radio Ulster as a morning presenter before moving to Ulster Television as a continuity announcer and news presenter in 1983.[2]

Ballantine moved from the continuity department to become a regular newsreader on UTV Live at its launch in 1993.[3] She went on to present and report for the nightly magazine show, UTV Life, from March 1999 to February 2009.[4]

She was also a regular presenter and reporter for RPM.[5] and presented UTV game shows Ulster Schools Quiz[6] and Hot Pursuits in 1994.[7]

In 2009, Ballantine returned to the UTV continuity department and became a relief weather presenter at the station. This followed press reports claiming UTV management offered Ballantine the option of accepting a different role at the station or taking a redundancy severance package from the company.[8]

A year later, her staff contract with the station was not renewed. Press reports claimed UTV told Ballantine that her role was no longer available and had offered her freelance work,[9] which she later accepted.[10]

Ballantine continues to freelance for the station as a continuity announcer and ambassador, occasionally presenting the weather or newsreading. In 2016, Ballantine returned to presenting UTV Life which airs every Friday evening.

Writing

Ballantine also works as a weekly columnist for the Belfast Telegraph.[11]

Personal life

Pamela was formerly married to Downtown Radio presenter John Paul Ballantine until 1994. He is the current husband of presenter Tina Campbell.[2] She has been in a relationship with Alan Graham, a local businessman, for eight years.

Pamela is also a fan of motorsport and has been a part of the Lurgan Park Rally in previous years, co-driving Kenny McKinstry to his 1996 win.

References

  1. ↑ Pamela Ballantine's profile on u.tv WebArchive.org; captured 11 July 2002, accessed 5 April 2009
  2. 1 2 3 "Interview: The Pamela Pattern" Belfast Telegraph, 30 January 2003, retrieved 10 January 2008
  3. ↑ The TV Room: UTV Announcers
  4. ↑ UTV Life - Presenters UTV Today
  5. ↑ Programmes - RPM UTV Today
  6. ↑ Pamela Ballantine profile UKGameShows.com
  7. ↑ Pamela Ballantine filmography BFI Film and TV Database; accessed 15 June 2008
  8. ↑ "A 'slap in the face' as UTV jobs cull affects presenters" Belfast Telegraph, 10 April 2009, accessed 6 May 2009
  9. ↑ "Pamela Ballantine axed by UTV" Belfast Telegraph, 2 February 2010, accessed 2 February 2010
  10. ↑ "I cried after UTV showed me the door: Pamela Ballantine" Belfast Telegraph, 14 February 2010, accessed 15 February 2010
  11. ↑ "Pamela, the Ultimate party girl" Belfast Telegraph, 31 March 2010, accessed 31 March 2010
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