Liam McKenna
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2011) |
Liam McKenna | |
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| Born | Liam McKenna October 31, 1981 Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Occupation | Television presenter/ Jedward Tour Manager |
| Employer | Jedward |
| Known for | Member of the Irish Popstars band Six |
| Website | http://www.twitter.com/liammckenna1 |
Liam Patrick McKenna (born 31 October 1981) is an Irish singer, television presenter and reality show winner. He rose to fame on Popstars at the start of the 21st century. These days he is road manager for pop rap duo Jedward.
Early career
In 2001, at the age of 20, McKenna became a member of the pop band Six. The band were formed on the television program Irish Popstars. The programme aired on RTÉ One on Sunday nights in the autumn and winter of 2001-02. The show was a major hit among viewers, placing in the top three of the weekly ratings by averaging almost 1 million viewers each week.[citation needed] The band were managed by Louis Walsh, who also appeared as a judge on the show.
Six released their first single "Whole Lotta Lovin'" in February 2002. It entered the Irish Singles Chart at number one, selling over 160,000 copies in its first week alone.[citation needed] This record-breaking single is still the biggest, and the fastest selling single of all time in Ireland.[citation needed] In July 2002, Six released their second single "Let Me Be the One" which again débuted at number one on the Irish Singles Chart, though it sold less than "Whole Lotta Lovin'". During August 2002, Six went on an Irish tour.
Following the international broadcast of Irish Popstars in New Zealand, Norway and South Africa, their début single also charted in the top five in New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Iceland and peaked at number two in Sweden.
After the tour, Six's album This Is It was released in October 2002 and débuted at number five on the Irish Albums Chart.
Post-Six
When Six split in early 2003, Liam was reported to be living in Los Angeles.[citation needed]
Media reports suggested at the time he had won a major role in a pilot TV series for a U.S. TV network.[citation needed]
In September 2005 Liam joined RTÉ Two as an entertainment reporter for TTV.
Recent work
In August 2006 he became one of the lead presenters on music video channel Bubble Hits, alongside Glenda Gilson and Christopher Parker. His work to date on the show The Juice, has seen him interview A-List stars such as Nelly Furtado, The Pussycat Dolls, Westlife, Hilary Duff, and 50 Cent among many others.
Liam works behind the scenes of The X Factor with judge Louis Walsh, and regularly contributes to TV3's Xposé, as well as writing a weekly column for the Irish Daily Star about behind the scenes gossip on the show. He has been the TV contributor for RTÉ's The Afternoon Show, and hosted the ChildLine Concert in 2009 from the O2 in Dublin and on TV3. Performances included Westlife, JLS, Alexandra Burke, Taio Cruz, Cascada and The Saturdays. In May 2010, Liam was the Aero Agent (www.winabubble.ie) on RTÉ 2FM, he travelled throughout Ireland, giving away cash amounts as part of a 1 hour radio show every single day in May.
Since June 2010, he has been working as road manager for Jedward and can also be seen in their television series Jedward: Let Loose. He frequently appeared in RTE's show, "OMG! It's Jedward!" He hosted the Planet Jedward Tour tour of Ireland for 27 dates throughout the country in April and May. He also hosted Jedward's Summer Tour 2010, in Ireland and hosted Jedward's "Bad Behaviour" tour in April 2011. John and Edward Grimes entered Eurovision song contest in May 2011, and Liam was with them during the trip.
External links
- Liam McKenna at IMDb