Inside BBC Presenter Hazel Irvine’s Private Life and Her Mystery Husband
Hazel Irvine, the beloved Scottish sports presenter known for her extensive coverage of events from snooker to the Olympics, has always been fiercely private about her personal life. At 59, Hazel remains more vocal about her passion for sports than her domestic affairs, successfully keeping her marriage and family life out of the public eye.
Hazel and her partner, whose identity has been carefully kept private, have been together since 2008. The couple chose to marry when Hazel was 43, believing it was “the right time.” Their wedding was a small, intimate ceremony in Scotland, attended by close family and friends. The couple welcomed a child together in 2009, according to The Express.
On the day of Hazel’s wedding, her agent confirmed the happy news while respecting the couple’s desire for privacy. “I can confirm that she married her long-term partner a few months ago. It was a small and very private affair, and she and her husband are very happy,” the agent stated, as reported by OK! magazine. The couple has consistently chosen to keep all details of their private life out of the public domain.
Despite her private nature, Hazel’s career in sports broadcasting has been nothing short of remarkable. She remains a respected figure in the industry, covering prestigious events such as Wimbledon and the World Cup. Hazel made history at just 28 years old when she became the youngest presenter of the BBC’s flagship sports program Grandstand on June 19, 1993.
A well-rounded athlete during her university years at St Andrews, where she studied art history, Hazel competed in golf, netball, and athletics. Her broadcasting career began at Radio Clyde in 1986, before she transitioned to Scottish Television in 1988 as a continuity announcer. Hazel co-hosted ITV’s coverage of the 1988 Olympics alongside Dickie Davies and reported from the Scotland football team’s training camp during the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
In the same year, Hazel joined the BBC, presenting for BBC Scotland’s Sportscene. By 1995, she was hosting coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and reporting for Football Focus. Since the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics, Hazel has been a constant presence for the BBC, even providing commentary for the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics.
Hazel’s impressive career also includes covering five Winter Olympics, four FIFA World Cups, and leading the coverage of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. She has been the face of Ski Sunday, the Women’s British Open Golf, and has fronted coverage of significant historical events such as the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings and VE Day celebrations.
For her contributions to sports and charitable activities, Hazel was honored with an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours, solidifying her legacy as one of the most respected figures in sports broadcasting.