John Alexander Fullerton,"The Gail Walker interview – Jackie Fullerton" Belfast Telegraph: 15 May 2003; accessed 19 January 2009 MBEQueen honours Longley and McCoy in Birthday Awards list (born 22 May 1943) is a Northern Irish television presenter and journalist, who was a reporter and football commentator for BBC Northern Ireland until he retired in 2016. However, he made a return in 2020 to commentate on Ballymena United matches for their live streaming services while no fans were in attendance due to COVID-19.
Sporting career Fullerton was born in Ballymena and was a footballer with Irish league clubs Ballymena United, Cliftonville, Derry City and Crusaders; winning the Irish League title with Crusaders in the 1972/1973 season.
On 6 August 1966, Ballymena United were the visitors when Fullerton became Cliftonville's first ever used substitute at Solitude.
In addition to his football career, Fullerton also played cricket for Ballymena."Secrets and Lies: Jack the Lad" Belfast Telegraph: 24 February 2007; accessed 19 January 2009
Broadcasting career
UTV Fullerton's presenting career began in 1973 as a reporter and presenter for Ulster Television. He was invited to work for the station by station controller Sidney Perry after participating in a penalty competition for the Sportscast programme and became the main sports anchor on UTV's evening magazine programme, Good Evening Ulster."Gloria, me and those rumours about our affair" Belfast Telegraph: 4 September 2006: accessed 19 January 2009
In his autobiography, Fullerton revealed he almost accepted a sports reporter position at Granada Television in 1978, but decided to remain in Northern Ireland for the sake of his family."The day I was dropped" Belfast Telegraph: 5 September 2006; accessed 19 January 2009 He also disclosed the controversy caused by rumours of an affair with Good Evening Ulster presenting colleague Gloria Hunniford, which were untrue. It was during his time on Good Evening Ulster when, in 1980, Fullerton interviewed wrestler Giant Haystacks in the studio, who proceeded to slam him on the studio floor – a clip which has been repeated on various blooper TV shows since.
BBC Fullerton moved from Ulster Television to BBC Northern Ireland in 1992.
In 2004, the BBC announced that Fullerton would no longer introduce the sport during BBC Newsline, but his reporting and commentating duties would still continue."Veteran sports presenter out in the cold" Belfast Telegraph: 26 March 2004; accessed 19 January 2009 The same year saw Fullerton undergo triple heart by-pass surgery following a period of ill health."Jackie Fullerton: The terrible day I thought I might die" Belfast Telegraph: 30 November 2004; accessed 19 January 2009 He returned to commentary duties in January 2005."Good to be Jack" Belfast Telegraph: 23 January 2005; accessed 19 January 2009
In 2007, Sky Sports obtained live broadcast rights to Northern Ireland's international matches for £10million."Sky jacked" Belfast Telegraph: 5 August 2007; accessed 19 January 2009 Rumours circulated at the time that Fullerton had been approached by the network to commentate on their coverage of Northern Ireland games. These rumours were unfounded when Fullerton disclosed while he had talks with Sky,Belfast Telegraph: "Sky jacked" Belfast Telegraph: 5 August 2007; accessed 19 January 2009 he had signed a 'rolling contract' to remain with BBC Northern Ireland."Jackie decides to stay with Beeb" Belfast Telegraph: 27 August 2007; accessed 19 January 2009
DVDs In 2008, Fullerton interviewed Northern Ireland international David Healy on the footballer's DVD, David Healy, The Talisman."Healy, the Northern Ireland manager" Belfast Telegraph: 17 November 2008; accessed 19 January 2009
Writing Fullerton published his autobiography, Jackie: "I Did It My Way", in 2006."She wasn't my Hunni...": Belfast Telegraph: 29 January 2006; accessed 19 January 2009 He is married with three sons: Darren, Nicky and Gareth, who are all sports journalists themselves.
Honours Fullerton was appointed MBE in 2010 for his services to sports journalism and his wide-ranging service to the community.Tony McCoy and Kyle McCallan head NI sporting honours BBC Sport, 11 June 2010
Personal life Before becoming a footballer, Fullerton trained to be an accountant. As a sideline to his broadcasting career, Fullerton has also sung on television and on stage."BBC Jackie knows the score for concert Belfast Telegraph: 19 November 2003; accessed 19 January 2009 His uncle Alex Russell was a footballer who played for Linfield and earned one cap for the Northern Ireland national team.
Sporting honours Irish League: Crusaders 1972/73
References