Lynda BryansWebArchive.org: Lynda Bryans' profile on u.tv WebArchive, 11 July 2002; accessed 5 April 2009 (born May 1962) is a Belfast-born television presenter and journalist from Northern Ireland.
Broadcasting career Television Bryans began her career in the media industry in 1981."Memories of a life in broadcasting" News Letter, 2 March 2009, accessed 6 January 2010 Her first job was working as a temporary copy typist for UTV that summer which was immediately followed by a job working as a secretary in the Religious Affairs department at BBC Northern Ireland."Mandi Millar's Q & A with UTV producer Sara Bell" Belfast Telegraph, 26 January 2004, retrieved 10 January 2008 She went on to become a newsreader and reporter on the BBC's Inside Ulster, as well as reading daytime news bulletins and briefly covering continuity shifts for BBC NI. Bryans' career as a broadcaster began when she applied, as a staff member, for a screen test at the BBC, and she became a continuity announcer and newsreader for the Corporation in Belfast. In an interview with The News Letter, she stated, "I thought I'd apply for a laugh, and ended up being one of six picked out of 100."BBC Northern Ireland announcers TV Room Plus, accessed 15 June 2008
Bryans also presented on network BBC programmes. She was a presenter and reporter for the BBC News and Current Affairs series Here and Now,Lynda Bryans filmography BFI Film and TV Database; accessed 15 June 2008 and also co-presented with Rolf Harris on Animal Hospital in 1994 and reported for the Holiday programme until its axe in 2007.
Bryans' other television credits include Portrush Sea Rescue,UTV Press Office: "Portrush Sea Rescue launches on UTV" UTV Press Office, 17 June 2008; accessed 6 February 2009 News 40, ITV's recreation of news events from World War II in a contemporary style, and Bethlehem Year Zero and Dateline Jerusalem, recreating the news events at the time of the birth and death of Jesus Christ."News 40 may be Lynda's finest hour on TV to date" Belfast Telegraph, 16 August 2000; accessed 6 February 2009 From 2001 to 2005, she appeared as an occasional newscaster on the ITV News Channel at weekends.
As well as presenting UTV Live, Bryans and Nesbitt also presented Anglia Television's networked Sunday Morning series from 1999 to 2001 and UTV's home and garden series Home Sweet Home in 2004 and 2006.
She was suspended from duty by UTV for a period from February 2010 due to Nesbitt's decision to stand as a candidate in the 2010 general election.UTV drops presenter Lynda Bryans over election period BBC News, 24 February 2010 In June 2010, it was announced Bryans was leaving UTV after her contract with the station was not renewed.Presenter Lynda Bryans set to leave UTV BBC News, 23 June 2010"Lynda Bryans axed by UTV" Belfast Telegraph, 23 June 2010 She hosted her final edition of UTV Live on 30 June 2010.
Radio November 2005 saw Bryans become part of the daytime line-up on UTV-owned radio station, U105, hosting the 12.00–15.00 slot, U105 Lunch.Presenters: Lynda Bryans U105, accessed 15 June 2008 She left the station in October 2008."Lynda Bryans parts company with U105" Belfast Telegraph, 9 October 2008; accessed 6 February 2009
Personal life Bryans attended Carryduff Primary School and Ballynahinch Tech.
She is married to former broadcaster and now politician Mike Nesbitt."'I could see myself getting old with Mike'" Belfast Telegraph, 29 February 2004; accessed 6 February 2009.
Bryans is a director of the Northern Irish mental health charity Aware Defeat Depression."Lisburn mums urged to think about post-natal depression victims" News Letter, 10 March 2008, accessed 16 June 2008 She is also a patron of the charity Action Cancer,"Get glow-ing!" News Letter, 25 January 2008, accessed 17 June 2008 a patron of the Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland,Structure and Staff Girls Brigade Northern Ireland, accessed 16 June 2008"Girls' Brigade's new purpose-built home" News Letter, 28 December 2007, accessed 16 June 2008 and, along with her husband, is a board member of Youth Lyric.
Bryans co-runs a media production and facilitation company with her husband.
In 2006, Bryans received an award from Belfast Metropolitan College for her contribution to the life of Belfast."UTV presenter honoured at ceremony", Belfast Telegraph, 6 December 2006; accessed 6 February 2009 She has two children.
She is a practising Christian.
References
External links Lynda Bryans and Mike Nesbitt's media services website