Brian Ormond has jumped out of a plane with no great fuss, but mostly he likes planes that take him, without incident, to hot destinations. We hear ten things about the TV presenter as Sing! continues on RTÉ Two.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
I will never forget Christmas morning in our house. Six children all overly excited. We would all run down the stairs but we were never allowed into the sitting room until my dad made sure the coast was clear and Santa had gone.
Who was your first pin-up?
I would have to say Kylie Minogue. I would watch her every day on Neighbours, and then when she turned into a popstar I couldn’t believe my luck. Great to see her career going so well today.
Which of your peers do you most admire and why?
I admire so many presenters, it’s really hard to name one, as they all have different qualities and attributes that I appreciate. Plus I work with so many of them I don’t want to choose one over the other. I’m trying to be diplomatic here!
What would you be doing with your life if you hadn’t chosen this career path?
I was first known as a singer from You’re A Star and Pop Idol, then went on to be a TV presenter. But before all that I was an electrician with a local company called Kirwan Electrical. If I wasn’t working in TV, I think I would still be doing that. I loved it, but I’m much happier working in TV. Follow your dreams.
Can you reveal one of your guilty pleasures?
My now wife Philippa always gives out about the music I listen to while driving in my car. I love old songs that my parents would have grown up listening to, I always have them playing on my stereo. I think I’m a fan of the oldies because of my karaoke days – I had to sing a mixture of old and new songs to keep the audience happy.
Who would you like to see cast in the movie of your life?
I think one of the biggest and best actors in the world today is Leonardo DiCaprio. Who else could you have? He’s an incredible actor. Or I would like to play myself and get Charlize Theron to play Pippa.
Who are you following on Twitter?
I mostly follow friends and people I know from the business on Twitter. Any celebs that I did follow in the past I found quite boring. Most of them just plug things that they are doing and that can get annoying so I un-follow them. I sometimes do an UFF (un-follow Friday) as opposed to FF (follow Friday). Follow me at @brianormond79
What’s the first thing you’ll buy when you win the Lottery?
I think the first thing I would buy (after I look after friends and family) would be a nice sized house in a hot country. Ireland is an amazing country but I do love the odd trip to a hot destination. If Pippa would let me, I would buy one on a golf course. Doubt that’ll ever happen.
What would you pack for your desert island?
I would not be able to live without my mobile phone, so my iPhone would be first on my list. Also deodorant; Pippa always gives out as I have to have at least three bottles of it at any one time. I have a bit of OCD when it comes to body odour.
What’s at the top of your Things to Do Before I Die List?
I always wanted to drive a fast car and jump out of a plane, and I have done both. So I think I want to see more of the world. Over the coming years I’m going to make it my business to travel to places I have never been, and if I win the Lotto, I’ll be able to do it in style.
Brian and Pippa’s Big Fat Wedding, will air on RTÉ Two
