The RTÉ stalwart doesn’t know if hair loss would have had an impact on his television career but is ‘so glad’ he got it done years ago as it gave him a lot of confidence
Marty Whelan celebrates the start of the new era of grand hospitality with FBD Hotels & Resorts at The Grand Hotel Malahide,Dublin.
Picture Brian McEvoy
Marty Whelan says he is “so glad” he had a hair transplant and that it gave him a big confidence boost in his career.
The RTÉ legend previously told how he underwent the procedure years back to prevent his TV career coming to an end, “in a business where appearance matters”.
Now, he says he has no regrets but also ruled out any other cosmetic procedures.
Marty said: “Oh no, I’m not a good man for the needles.
“Getting the hair done was a big thing but I’m glad I did it.
“My dad lost his hair in his 20s and there was feeling it might come to me too. I’m now so glad I did it.”
Marty isn’t sure if his broadcasting career would’ve been affected if he didn’t reverse his hair loss.
He continued to the RTÉ Guide: “It’s very hard to know if it would have impacted on my television career but what I can say is that I felt better for doing it.
“It gave me a big confidence boost. And of course, [his wife] Maria was very happy to run her hands through my new hair!
“But am I going to do anything else cosmetically speaking? No, I won’t.”
Marty celebrates his milestone 70th birthday next month but, for the Lyric FM presenter, it doesn’t feel any different.
He said: “Turning 70 is not a big deal because I feel great and my mum lived to the grand old age of 95.
“You see, I’m as happy as the day is long. And that’s due in no small part to loving what I do.”
Speaking of how he’ll mark the occasion, Marty added: “I just want to celebrate with family – the seven of us,” referring to wife Maria, daughter Jessica and her husband, son Thomas and his partner and granddaughter Lily.”
Marty was missing from our TV screens last week as RTÉ decided to boycott this year’s Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s participation.
The legendary commentator said of the national broadcaster’s stance: “The decision was not anti-Semitic but if the Israeli government are doing those things to the people of Palestine, you can’t just stand there and say that’s all fine.”
The RTÉ star also shared the piece of advice that has stood with him during his career.
“My dad’s advice was always that if you can’t get through a challenge or obstacle, then figure a way around it,” he said.
“The most important thing was that you can’t be standing still; you need to keep going forward.”
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