Former Downtown Radio presenter Cathy Devine dies aged 85

One of Downtown Radio’s first presenters, Cathy Devine has passed away at the age of 85.

Candy was a well-known voice in Northern Ireland having worked at the station for nearly 40 years after joining for its launch.

Originally from North Queensland, Candy worked for Australian TV before moving to Europe in the 1960s. She was also a singer, which is why she first moved to Northern Ireland.

Joining Downtown Radio as part of the original line-up in 1976, she remained at the station until her retirement in 2013. Following the death of her husband Donald, she returned to Australia to be with her children who lived there.

In 2014 Candy received an MBE for Services to Broadcasting and to the Community in Northern Ireland.

Former colleague John Rosborough posted on X: “So very sorry to hear that Candy Devine has passed away.  A wonderful colleague and outstanding broadcaster, she was loved by the local audience and much missed after she returned to Australia to be with her family.  To them I send my deep condolences at this saddest of times.”

Content Director at Downtown Radio Stuart Robinson said: “Candy was a household name on radio in Northern Ireland having been with Downtown from launch in 1976 right through until her retirement in 2013.

“Candy was a great broadcaster and communicator and was an inspiration to many aspiring broadcasters coming up through the radio industry.

“Having grown up listening to Candy, it was a great honour to work with her at Downtown.”

So very sorry to hear that Candy Devine has passed away. A wonderful colleague and outstanding broadcaster, she was loved by the local audience and much missed after she returned to Australia to be with her family. To them I send my deep condolences at this saddest of times. pic.twitter.com/z7d9fD05Cr

— John Rosborough (@JRRadioNI) October 31, 2024