{{short description |Irish television presenter}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2023}} '''Alan Hughes''' (born 19 October 1963{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}) is an Irish television personality, pantomime actor and producer. He works for Virgin Media and appears on ''Ireland AM''. He also hosted ''Family Fortunes'' from 2012 to 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Family Fortunes |work=TV3 |url=http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=familyfortunes&tv3_preview=6umM5XcMzS6u |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123190148/http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=familyfortunes&tv3_preview=6umM5XcMzS6u |archive-date=2011-11-23}}</ref>
In the 1990s, he hosted the RTÉ game show ''Talk About'' for three years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 February 2012 |title=Alan Hughes talks Family Fortunes |work=RTÉ TEN |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0221/alanhughesfamilyfortunes.html |url-status=dead |access-date=21 February 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908113725/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0221/alanhughesfamilyfortunes.html |archive-date=8 September 2012 |quote=Looking at Alan's slick new image for the show, is it likely that his signature deckchair jackets from his RTÉ Talkabout days will resurface? "I'd nearly go to someone in publicity in RTÉ and bribe them to burn every picture!}}</ref>
Since the 1990s, Hughes has co-produced and starred in pantomimes, usually set around Christmas, and usually playing the camp character Sammy Sausages with his "tanx a thousand!" catchphrase.<ref name="Tivoli2011">{{Cite news |date=October 1, 2011 |title=Special Christmas Panto Offer for Members |page=23 |work=World of Irish Nursing & Midwifery |issn=2009-4264 <!-- |id={{EBSCOhost|whatever the number is from this url https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=472451ce-e99b-408a-9190-c0a06e39d482%40redis}}-->}}</ref>
In 2009, Hughes faced a health scare when there were fears he had stomach cancer.<ref name="alan_reveals_health_scare2">{{Cite news |last=Horan |first=Niamh |date=12 April 2009 |title=TV3's Alan reveals cancer scare |work=Sunday Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/tv3s-alan-reveals-cancer-scare-1706540.html |access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref>
In September 2011, Hughes engaged in a civil partnership with his partner of 18 years, Karl Broderick, a songwriter, at the Unitarian Church in St Stephen's Green, Dublin.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2011 |title=TV3 presenter Alan Hughes gets married |work=RTÉ TEN |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1001/hughesa.html |url-status=dead |access-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002060119/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1001/hughesa.html |archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Claire |date=1 October 2011 |title=TV3 star Alan in tears as he ties knot with Karl |work=Evening Herald |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/tv3-star-alan-in-tears-as-he-ties-knot-with-karl/27990549.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802225538/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/tv3-star-alan-in-tears-as-he-ties-knot-with-karl-2893435.html |archive-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> The wedding, on the 18th anniversary of their meeting, was described by ''The Irish Times'' as the highest profile wedding since legislation permitting it to take place was brought in.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGreevy |first=Ronan |date=1 October 2011 |title=TV presenter weds partner of 18 years |work=The Irish Times |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305085321.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=1 October 2011}}</ref> Close friend Derek Mooney was his best man.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Alexandra |date=15 October 2011 |title=From best pals to rivals -- Derek and Alan face TV ratings war |work=Evening Herald |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/from-best-pals-to-rivals-derek-and-alan-face-tv-ratings-war/27991600.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802120544/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/from-best-pals-to-rivals-derek-and-alan-face-tv-ratings-war-2907230.html |archive-date=2 August 2012 |quote=Despite denying similarities between the two shows, insiders revealed that Derek, who was best man at Alan's partnership with Karl Broderick, has been feeling the heat and knows his show will be pitted against Alan's.}}</ref> The couple appeared on ''The Saturday Night Show'' soon afterwards in their first public interview together.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2011 |title=Hughes and Broderick among Saturday Night Show guests |work=RTÉ TEN |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1104/saturdaynightshow.html |url-status=dead |access-date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106201122/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1104/saturdaynightshow.html |archive-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>
Hughes was nominated in the Favourite Male TV Presenter category at the 2009 TV Now Awards.<ref name="alan_reveals_health_scare2" />
==Panto.ie== Hughes and husband Broderick,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finn |first=Melanie |date=15 December 2022 |title=RTÉ's Toy Show The Musical has unfair advantage over others, says panto producer Alan Hughes |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/rtes-toy-show-the-musical-has-unfair-advantage-over-others-says-panto-producer-alan-hughes-42220607.html |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Independent.ie}}</ref> as Panto.ie/Anthem productions,<ref name="Taxes">{{Cite news |last=Coyle |first=Colin |date=10 March 2019 |title=Did presenter Alan Hughes pay full panto tax? Oh no he didn't |work=Sunday Times (Ireland edition) |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/did-presenter-alan-hughes-pay-full-panto-tax-oh-no-he-didn-t-gg658gww5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2007 |title=About Karl Broderick |url=http://www.panto.ie/about_us/about.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129134308/http://www.panto.ie/about_us/about.html |archive-date=2007-11-29 |website=Panto.ie}}</ref> have produced pantomimes since the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keating |first=Sara |date=28 November 2021 |title=Interview: Karl Broderick, pantomime writer and producer |url=https://www.businesspost.ie/life-arts/interview-karl-broderick-pantomime-writer-and-producer/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Business Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Nicola |date=December 17, 2021 |title=You think lockdown is all behind you – but oh no, it's not. And that's what's killing panto |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/you-think-lockdown-is-all-behind-you-but-oh-no-its-not-and-thats-whats-killing-panto-41158341.html |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Independent.ie}}</ref><ref name="Review2002" /> It was known for sponsorship reasons as the Ambrosia Splat Panto,<ref name="Review2002">{{Cite news |last=Colgan |first=Gerry |date=December 30, 2002 |title=Review |work=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/review-1.1110462 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref> and the Cheerios Panto.<ref name="MartyPhotos">{{Cite web |last=Flannery |first=Amanda |date=September 23, 2022 |title=First photos released of Marty Morrissey in this year's National Stadium panto |url=https://www.q102.ie/news/buzz/first-photos-released-of-marty-morrissey-in-this-years-national-stadium-panto/ |website=Dublin's Q102}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake Knox |first=Kirsty |date=December 4, 2014 |title=Series 4 of Mrs Brown on the way? Oh yes it is! |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/series-4-of-mrs-brown-on-the-way-oh-yes-it-is-30797614.html |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Independent.ie}}</ref> Hughes usually plays the camp character Sammy Sausages with his "tanx a thousand!" catchphrase, with Rob Murphy playing Buffy.<ref name="Tivoli2011"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Pantos 2018: All the big shows in Dublin, Cork and beyond reviewed and rated |work=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/theatre/pantos-2018-all-the-big-shows-in-dublin-cork-and-beyond-reviewed-and-rated-1.3736575 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref>
Venues have included the Tivoli,<ref name="Tivoli2011"/> Saint Anthony's Theatre,<ref name="Review2002" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 1, 2000 |title=Pantos |work=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/pantos-1.1118813 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref> Liberty Hall Theatre,<ref name="Review2002" /> and the National Stadium.<ref name="MartyPhotos" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2022 |title=PICS: Alan Hughes and his cast of well-known faces take to the stage for Snow White panto |url=https://goss.ie/gallery/pics-alan-hughes-and-his-cast-of-well-known-faces-take-to-the-stage-for-snow-white-panto-321289 |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Goss.ie}}</ref> Productions in 2020 and 2021 were affected by the impact of COVID-19. For 2020, a drive-in show, Peter Pan, was staged at Malahide Castle.<ref name="Carter">{{Cite web |title=Jake Carter gears up for Peter Pan role in Ireland's first drive-in panto |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/irish-showbiz/jake-carter-gears-up-for-peter-pan-role-in-irelands-first-drive-in-panto/39830769.html |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=SundayWorld.com}}</ref> In 2020, Hughes, Broderick, and Cheerios announced that their partnership was coming to an end. According to Aisling Curran, marketing manager for Nestle Cereals, the original three-year partnership turned into fourteen years.<ref name="partnership">{{cite web |url=https://www.shelflife.ie/cheerios-pantomime-sponsorship-comes-to-an-end/ |title=Cheerios pantomime sponsorship comes to an end |date=November 20, 2020 |website=Shelf Life |access-date=June 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123095004/https://www.shelflife.ie/cheerios-pantomime-sponsorship-comes-to-an-end/ |archive-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref> The 2021/22 production Aladdin, was curtailed due to a spike in infections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGreevy |first=Ronan |date=December 23, 2021 |title=Cancelled pantomime: 'We gave it our best shot and it just wasn't to be' |work=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cancelled-pantomime-we-gave-it-our-best-shot-and-it-just-wasn-t-to-be-1.4762929 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref>
Funding was almost lost in 2020 when a "technical error" meant Hughes and Broderick hat to halt their 2020 production process.<ref name="back">{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/look-who-s-behind-us-say-panto-couple-backed-by-regina-doherty-2c9bhqf3f |title=Look who's behind us, say panto couple backed by Regina Doherty |last=Shortall |first=Eithne |date=February 7, 2021 |website=The Times |access-date=June 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250604193012/https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/look-who-s-behind-us-say-panto-couple-backed-by-regina-doherty-2c9bhqf3f |archive-date=June 4, 2025}}</ref><ref name="dramatic">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/dramatic-u-turn-minister-martin-green-lights-panto-after-error/39741389.html |title=Dramatic U-turn: Minister Martin green-lights panto after error |website=Irish Independent |access-date=June 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250604193625/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/dramatic-u-turn-minister-martin-green-lights-panto-after-error/39741389.html |archive-date=June 4, 2025}}</ref> The company had applied for the Live Performance Scheme, which aimed to help entertainment up and running again after COVID-19.<ref name="dramatic" /> The Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts stated the original application was initially missing attachments. When that hurtle was cleared, Anthem productions was told that they were denied funds "because these accounts were not submitted."<ref name="back" /> Broderick wrote Regina Doherty, a Fine Gael senator, to get clarification.<ref name="back" /> After looking into the issue, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts awarded the money, much to the delight of Hughes and the cast and crew of that years' production.<ref name="dramatic" />
Productions have included performances by Brian Dowling,<ref name="Taxes" /> Nadia Forde,<ref name="Nadia">{{Cite web |last=MF |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Panto star Nadia wants to follow Jedward with a shot at Eurovision |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/panto-star-nadia-wants-to-follow-jedward-with-a-shot-at-eurovision-28964080.html |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Independent.ie}}</ref> Jake Carter,<ref name="Carter" /> Niamh Kavanagh and pre-recorded pieces by broadcasters Joe Duffy and Marty Morrissey.<ref name="Nadia" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Sam |date=15 October 2018 |title=Joe Duffy is 'hilarious' in new role in Christmas panto Snow White |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/arts-culture-news/rte-radio-joe-duffy-liveline-13419296 |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Irish Mirror}}</ref><ref name="MartyPhotos" />
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.panto.ie Panto.ie]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hughes, Alan}} Category:Living people Category:Irish game show hosts Category:Irish LGBTQ broadcasters Category:Irish gay actors Category:Pantomime Category:RTÉ television presenters Category:1963 births Category:21st-century Irish LGBTQ people Category:Place of birth missing (living people)