Tara and Declan new Evening Extra hosts

Tara has been a familiar face on BBC Northern Ireland for many years as a BBC Newsline presenter and reporter. Declan joined BBC Northern Ireland three years ago after working as a news journalist for BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat.

The pair take over from veteran BBC presenter Seamus McKee, who retired at the end of January after over a decade at the helm of the show. The new presenters are expected to begin their new roles in the drive time show in April.

Tara said: “This is an incredible opportunity to mix my BBC Newsline role with BBC Radio Ulster. There are very big shoes to fill and I’ve been an Evening Extra listener for as long as I can remember. I’m particularly looking forward to working with Declan and keeping people company on their way home from work or while they’re getting dinner ready at home. I’ve been working at the BBC for 20 years and feel really passionately about how we deliver our news.

‘‘Technology has changed so much in that time but what hasn’t changed is the importance of bringing the story and its consequences to our listeners.”

Declan added: “Following in the footsteps of broadcasters, like Seamus McKee, is an amazing opportunity and doing it with Tara is an added bonus; she’s a formidable journalist, and also great fun to be around.

“I hope the new programme will be able to make the audience think, or think differently. It’s a huge platform and I can’t wait to get started.”

Adam Smyth, head of BBC News NI, said Tara and Declan are ‘‘great broadcasters and seasoned journalists’’, who will ‘‘breathe new life’’ into the drive time news programme on BBC Radio Ulster.

‘‘They’ll make a great presenting partnership and we’re excited to see what they bring to the programme.”

Evening Extra is on BBC Radio Ulster Mondays-Fridays from 4pm-6pm.