Jackie Fullerton

Jackie Fullerton
Occupation	Author, Television presenter, Journalist

John Alexander "Jackie" Fullerton,MBE (born 22 May 1943 in Ballymena) is a Northern Irish television presenter and journalist, who is currently a reporter and football commentator for BBC Northern Ireland.

Fullerton was previously a footballer for Irish league clubs Ballymena United, Cliftonville, Derry City and Crusaders; winning the Irish League title with Crusaders in the 1972/1973 season.

On the 6th of August 1966, Ballymena United were the visitors when Fullerton became Cliftonville's first ever used substitute at Solitude (football ground).

In addition to his football career, Fullerton also played cricket for Ballymena.

Fullerton's presenting career began in 1973 as a reporter and presenter for Ulster Television. He was invited to work for the station by station controller Sidney Perry after participating in a penalty competition for the Sportscast programme and became the main sports anchor on UTV's evening magazine programme, Good Evening Ulster.

In his autobiography, Fullerton revealed he almost accepted a sports reporter position at Granada Television in 1978, but decided to remain in Northern Ireland for the sake of his family. He also disclosed the controversy caused by rumours of an affair with Good Evening Ulster presenting colleague Gloria Hunniford, which were untrue. It was during his time on Good Evening Ulster when, in 1980, Fullerton interviewed wrestler Giant Haystacks in the studio, who proceeded to slam him on the studio floor - a clip which has been repeated on various blooper TV shows since.

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