From  the air-waves of 96FM, to lights, camera, action it’s been an exciting time for journalist and broadcaster Audrey McGrath since replacing Karen Koster on TV3’s Ireland AM.

Within the space of nine months, she has already interviewed stars from the stage to the big screen, including Bonnie Tyler, Helen Mirren and Richard Dean Anderson, known to us all as ‘MacGyver’!. (And apparently the superhero is still as handsome as ever!).

It’s a far cry from delivering the news but something tells me this Leesider has found her niche in TV presenting.  What about those early starts then? “Put it this way, ‘catching the worm’ was never to the forefront of my daily routine before now. But, the job has won me over!

The early mornings have proved to be too gruelling for some. For Audrey though, the early mornings are a challenge, one she is determined to enjoy, and right now, she’s taking it all in her stride. “The early mornings were never a deterrent for me - television presenting is what I’ve always wanted to do and being part of a live fast-paced show like Ireland AM is just so exciting! There‘s always a great atmosphere amongst the crew and there is certainly no question of tiredness once the cameras roll at 7am. . live television in that respect is a sure-fire wake-up call. It has the power to put a spring in your step, whatever the hour! The only down side really is that I‘m tucked up in my bed by 8pm every night while everyone else‘s evening is only beginning! All the more reason why I make the most of my weekends, every second one of which is a salsa fest.”

 That’s when life takes on a whole different ‘spin’ for this bubbly Corkonian, who hails from Waterfall. So, don‘t be surprised if you‘re in Dublin‘s Floradita or Samsara some weekend only to have a spirited salsera (salsa dancer) whirlwind past you. And as TV veteran Uncle Gaybo would say, “it all started…, not on the Late Late  Show” (though Audrey has performed on it), but in Cork.

“I remember my first ever dance class in the Lee Maltings. It was one of the many after-college activities on the UCC calendar. For some reason, I thought to myself; this is really easy. And it always stayed with me as one of my passions.”

During her time in university, there was no disputing Audrey’s drive to hone her skills, not alone on the dance floor, but also on the airwaves. “My very first day at UCC I found Cork Campus Radio.

“I knew I had to cut my teeth in broadcasting so believe it or not, I filled out a volunteer form and coloured the entire sheet with a luminous yellow highlighter in order to make it stand out. I don’t think they could have missed it.  It was like something you’d wear on a dark lonely road at night-time.  It worked though. And there is where ‘it all started’.”

Over the course of studying a BA degree in English and Sociology, Audrey invested countless hours in the place which quickly came to be her “home”; Radio-land.

“It was a hands-on operation at Cork Campus Radio and the most invaluable training ground one could have ever asked for.  At the time, I was presenting and producing a current affairs programme which was modelled on Radio One’s Morning Ireland.

“So I couldn’t have been given a more well structured gateway into broadcasting. I did however keep my hand in a few pies, to broaden my future horizons. So I pretty much did everything from presenting current affairs to eventually presenting my own music show, and yes, even the breakfast show. ”

But like Pat Kenny, Ryan Tubridy, Chris Tarrant and many others who have carved a career for themselves as a TV personality, Audrey’s first paid on-air job was as a news journalist. “ I’ll never forget the call from 96FM news. I handed in a demo and I had literally walked 500 metres down the road when my phone rang. It was just the best feeling! And I have to say, I truly loved my time there for the following 2 years!