We hear Neil Prendeville's voice daily on the airwaves, he's caused controversy and generates both good and bad press. His morning talk show on 96FM is a platform for many important Cork issues. We all know his radio persona but what about the man behind the mic.

Behind the scenes Neil Prendeville is a man who in his own words "enjoys the simple things in life" He loves to spend time in his holiday house in Kerry and is passionate about cooking "I would love to open a restaurant in the future" he tells me.

Because of his flexible work time he enjoys a good family life and his time revolves around his children. He also put his acting skills to the test in his recent cameo role in Irish movie Strength and Honour. Of his small role Neil said "I was asked by the film makers to appear, they wanted as many Cork faces as possible, it was a huge production and its great for Cork".

Neil began his career in radio in the 1970s, driven by his passion for music he started working in Pirate radio. Back then the only legalised radio stations were RTE1 and RTE2 but the demand for alternative radio produced an upsurge of pirate stations.

He decided to spread his wings and moved to Canada where he worked in local radio as a news anchor. It was during this time that he found his niche in news and talk radio. At this time radio in Ireland was changing and more radio stations were forming, one of which was 96FM.

When Neil returned to Ireland in the early 90s he joined 96FM on their drive time show and regularly did their breakfast slot. It was here that his morning talk show took off and has gone from strength to strength. Even after all these years presenting his morning show, Neil enjoys it and has no plans to stop.

"Talk radio has longevity, I may finish after this contract is finished, but I am not making any plans, plans are made to be broken".

This sentiment is echoed in all aspects of his life today. Since the recent death of his mother, Neil is looking at life differently "Family life has always been very important to me and my mother was a huge part of that, it's been a strange year". With Christmas just around the corner Neil says that his mother's death will be sorely felt.

"My mother was an integral part of our Christmas celebrations so Christmas will be a lot different this year".

Despite his recent sadness Neil insists that Christmas as always will be a happy time for him "For the first time in a long time I have a full ten days off over Christmas and altough it will be a sad Christmas without my mother its going to be a real family time as it always has been".

Neil tells me he will spend part of his Christmas in Kerry and just have a lot of relaxation time, "Just a real normal Christmas, watching movies and spending time with family".

Christmas has certainly changed in Cork since Neil's childhood and maybe not for the better he says, " the magic of Christmas is gone when you leave childhood, fortunately we can relive this magic through our children".

Neil tries to replicate his own Christmas traditions with his own children.

"My kids are still very magical at Christmas, even though they are getting older they still enjoy the simple things". Although Christmas is definitely a hugely expensive time for parents.