RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is delighted to announce that popular radio and TV presenter, Paddy O’Connell – especially well-known to the millions who listen to him on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday flagship programme, ‘Broadcasting House’ – has agreed to become one of its Charity Ambassadors.
He also commentated from the funeral of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Coronation of the King and Queen; hosts on BBC Radio 2 and came to fame as the BBC’s Wall Street Anchor during the attacks of 9/11.
Mr O’Connell’s first ‘official’ role will be to compere the Charity’s prestigious Guildhall Dinner in London in November.
Commenting on his new role, he said:
“As the son of a D-Day Royal Marine Commando, I was overwhelmed to be asked to become an Ambassador for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. It was a no-brainer for me to say ‘yes’ and I am thrilled to accept. I am really very excited to take up such an interesting role and can’t wait to get going.”
Paddy has strong, long-standing personal links with the Royal Marines family. He has generously given of his time in supporting the Charity over many years, working alongside friends, family and the Serving Corps attending and taking part in events such as battlefield tours, walks and numerous social fundraising activities.
A decade ago, surviving Royal Marine D-Day veterans voted him Chairman of the 47 Royal Marine Commando Association. His late father, Guy, was Captain, Heavy Weapons Troop of this wartime-only unit that landed both in Normandy and on the Dutch Island of Walcheren in 1944: 47 has since been revived as 47 RM Commando Raiding Group.
He started his broadcasting career in 1989 on the BBC’s local trainee scheme, then spent five years as a BBC local radio reporter in Devon, Essex and Cleveland. From there, he went on to join Radio 5 Live at its launch before moving to the USA for WGBH programme ‘The World’.
In 1997, he became BBC News North America Business Correspondent and Wall Street anchor, based in New York City, and he later anchored BBC reporting from Manhattan during the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks. Back home, he’s worked on LBC and Channel Four, and hosts a new podcast.
Paddy was a volunteer vaccinator and driver during the COVID pandemic, runs a pub, lives in London and, says he ‘is owned by Bob – a Border Terrier’!
