Hendi

Among the best known voices in Northern Ireland, Michael “Hendi” Henderson is one of the greatest broadcasters from Belfast. He is up and about early every morning to present Slice Audio’s weekday morning show. He is also known for his voiceover work on UTV (Ulster Television) and shows on Belfast-based radio station U105.

Henderson began his broadcasting career in the mid-1960s, working for the BBC Northern Ireland Home Service mainly as a presenter on a programme called Soundings. He became a well-known figure on the local club and disco scene, as well as a guest presenter for many BBC Radio 1 roadshows in Northern Ireland. In 1968, he made his television debut, starring in an Ulster Television music series called Zoom In, produced by Gordon Burns (who later became famous as presenter of The Krypton Factor) and Tony Eames.

In 1976, Hendi became one of the main personalities at the launch of Downtown Radio where he initially presented the mid-morning show and a weekly rock show. He stayed with Downtown until 1985 when he went on to join BBC Radio Ulster as producer and presenter.

In 1985 he returned to Ulster Television as a member of the team producing an ITV network game show Password. Two years later he joined the team making on the long-running chat show Kelly where he booked stars both local and international to appear on the show.

By 1992, he began providing voiceovers for UTV, as the station began to re-voice programme trailers produced by ITV network companies, and later, the Network Promotions Unit, to remove references to ITV and replace them with mentions of UTV. Henderson still regularly provides voiceovers for UTV programme trailers, along with the team of continuity announcers based at UTV’s studios at Havelock House.

In addition to providing trailer voiceovers, his voice was heard in the introduction of UTV-produced series Kelly and All Mixed Up. He has also voiced many television and radio adverts, television programmes and corporate videos.

A five-year spell in BBC Northern Ireland television between 2000 and 2005 involved Hendi working as a celebrity booker for programmes such as the annual Children in Need show for Northern Ireland, Making a Difference, The Hot Press Rock Awards and many other light entertainment programmes. He was also the in-vision announcer and straight man on the networked comedy chat show Patrick Kielty… Almost Live, and appeared in another networked BBC Northern Ireland co-production, Just For Laughs.

In November 2005, Hendi returned to a regular weekly radio slot as he formed part of the original U105 presenter line-up. He presents Hendi’s Happy Weekend between 10 am and 2 pm on Saturdays. Hendi parted company with U 105 a few years ago.