Wanted: new onscreen presenting talent

Sideline Productions, the company founded by former RTÉ commissioning editor for entertainment Billy McGrath, is seeking "the next wave of Irish television talent" to front new formats and shows for the Irish and international market.

The company says “the serious presenter”, who stamps their personality on shows and engages with the audience, has been central to the success of its recent productions.

These include three TV3 shows: history series Tales of Irish Castles presented by actor Simon Delaney, The Great Irish Bake Off fronted by Anna Nolan, and factual series Print and Be Damned presented by journalist Donal MacIntyre.

Sideline is also in “active development” on shows for the British market, where broadcasters “are not concerned where the host comes from”, says McGrath.

He cites everyone from screen fixtures like Graham Norton, Liz Bonnin and Colin Murray to relatively recent breakthroughs such as Pixie McKenna, Daráine Mulvihill and Darren Kennedy.

Sideline says it is looking for “intelligent and mature” onscreen talent with experience and expertise in their field.

Interested parties should send a full CV, a one-page introduction to themselves, a recent photograph and a 60-second video clip where they talk about their passion or expertise to talent@sideline.ie by August 25th.

“We are not seeking wannabe TV stars,” says McGrath.

“We want talented, even quirky, experts and passionate communicators across all genres that feel comfortable in the medium, can thrive with career direction and allow their natural personality to shine through.”