Maïa Dunphy
Maïa Dunphy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maia Conchita Dunphy August 7th Dalkey,County Dublin,Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation(s) | Television producer, broadcaster and writer |
| Years active | 2000 – present |
| Agent | Noel Kelly[1] |
| Known for | Maia Dunphy's What Women Want Celebrity MasterChef: Ireland Reality Bites Dancing with the Stars What Planet Are You On? |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Tom Dunphy Pennington |
Maïa Conchita Dunphy(born 7th August) is anIrishtelevision producer, broadcaster and writer, known predominantly for television and radio work in Ireland and the UK. She began her career working with the creative team behindZig and ZagandPodge & Rodgein 2001 before branching out and producing her own shows, mainly documentaries.
Early life
[edit]Dunphy grew up inDalkey,County Dublin.Her father is originally fromNew Rossand her mother Helen fromSpain.She attended school inParis,France, before returning to Ireland to attendSt Andrews College,Blackrock, Dublin.
Dunphy graduated fromTrinity College Dublin,with aBachelor of Artsdegree in English and French.[2]
Career
[edit]Dunphy has spoken about her accidental route into television, originally wanting to pursue a career in wildlife conservation[3]but was quoted as saying that on hearing her childhood heroesZig and Zagwere looking for someone to work with them, she took a diversion. After over a decade behind the camera, she stepped in front of it to author a couple of documentaries which led to two standalone series under her own name.[4]In 2014 she won the entertainment category in the coveted IrishTatlerWomen Of The Year Awards.[5]
Writing
[edit]Dunphy has written and produced for many comedy shows forRTÉincludingPodge & RodgeandKatherine Lynch'sWagon's Denand books such asThe Ballydung Bible,and has worked withDustin the TurkeyandZig and Zag.She has written regular columns forThe Dublinermagazine,State Magazine', 'The Irish Times,Image Magazine,theIrish IndependentInsider Magazine,theSunday Independent (Ireland)[6]and theEvening Herald[7]amongst others.
Dunphy wrote theMr. Taytospoof autobiographyThe Man in the Jacket[8]in 2009 which famously kept formerTaoiseachBertie Ahernoff the Christmas No.1 spot in the book charts. She was a regular contributor on theRTÉ 2fmRyan Tubridy Showand has also been a contributor on many other radio shows. Her first book penned under her own name was published in November 2017.The M Wordis a book for women who happen to be mothers and was nominated for best non-fiction popular book of the year at theIrish Book Awards.[9]
In early 2022, Dunphy joined forces with screenwriter and actor Paddy C Courtney to produce a podcast Read the Room.[10][11]
Presenting
[edit]In January 2012, Dunphy wrote and hosted a documentary on the Irish baby boom for RTÉ as part of theReality Bitesseries. She also began appearing as a regular panelist on theCraig Doyle Liveshow. Her second documentaryMerlot & Meaired on RTÉ in January 2013 to critical acclaim.
In September 2013, a four-part documentary seriesMaia Dunphy's What Women Wantbegan on RTÉ. The series covered four female centric topics: the pressure on women to stay looking young and the lengths some go to in 'Forever Young'; how women really feel about sex and the importance of female sexuality in 'Best Sex Ever'; the increasing problem of anxiety andbenzodiazepineuse in 'Calm'; and how many Irish women are breaking away from the traditional ideals of relationships and family in 'Happily Ever After'. The series was well received.
The second series was broadcast onRTÉ2in November and December 2014 and looked at food fads in "Food Not Fear"; the love of shopping, from designer bags to the buzz of a bargain in "Retail Therapy"; how perceptions of beauty have become skewed in "The Secrets of Attraction"; and the ongoing cult of celebrity in "Fame".
In October 2015 a new seriesMaïa Dunphy's Truth About....aired onRTÉ2.In December 2014, Dunphy won the IrishTatlerWoman of the Year award for Entertainment.
In 2019 Dunphy began hosting What Planet Are You On? the popularRTÉ Oneseries, where families are challenged to tackle the real issues around sustainability faced in our homes in the areas of water, waste, energy and food. As of 2022, the show was in its third season.
Dunphy took over as co-host ofRTE's Zoo Live series in May 2024.
Other television appearances
[edit]Dunphy is a regular face on many Irish shows.
In August 2013, she was a finalist onCelebrity MasterChef: Ireland.[12][13]
On 18 June 2014, Dunphy and her husbandJohnny Vegastook part in an episode ofAll Star Mr & Mrs.[14]They won the episode and the jackpot of 30,000 for their chosen charity.[15]
She took part in thesecond seriesofDancing with the StarsonRTÉ Oneand was eliminated in week 5. She was partnered with new dancer, Polish championRobert Rowiński.
Personal life
[edit]In April 2011, she married British comedianJohnny Vegasin her mother's home town ofSeville,Spain.[16]
On 26 January 2015, Dunphy posted an image of her ultrasound,[17]announcing that the couple were expecting their first child together. They have one son.[18]
The couple lived inLondontogether,[19]but announced in May 2018 that they had separated the previous year.[18]They reconciled in November 2018,[20]but were again separated as of April 2020.[21]It is not known if they are divorced.
Dunphy is a supporter of many animal charities includingDogs Trust,Dublin Zoo,and Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary inSabah,where she spent a year working in 2000.[citation needed].She is also a supporter and ambassador for the Irish Hospice Foundation and many homeless and cancer charities.
References
[edit]- ^"Maia Dunphy - Profile".
- ^"Our Alumni: Maia Dunphy".Trinity College Dublin.1 May 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved18 June2014.
- ^Nolan, Larissa (14 August 2024)."Maia Dunphy: I got used to being sweaty and covered in poo".thetimes.Retrieved14 August2024.
- ^"Maia's message in a bottle – go easy on the red, red wine".Irish Independent.27 January 2013.Retrieved14 August2024.
- ^"Labour leader, Tanaiste... and now woman of the year as Joan honoured with Philomena and Joanne".Irish Independent.10 November 2014.Retrieved14 August2024.
- ^"Irish Independent".
- ^"Irish Independent".
- ^"Mr. Tayto by Maia Dunphy et al".Morgan's Rare Books.Retrieved14 August2024.
- ^Dunphy, Maia (20 October 2017).The M Word.Gill Books.ASIN0717169782.
- ^"Maïa Dunphy and Paddy C. Courtney launch podcast on GoLoud".RadioToday.21 February 2022.Retrieved14 August2024.
- ^"'I certainly learned the hard way to keep things to myself' - Maia Dunphy on love, lockdowns and losing her mother ".Irish Independent.22 September 2022.Retrieved14 August2024.
- ^"Gillick wins Celebrity MasterChef".RTÉ.2013.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2013.Retrieved18 June2014.
- ^Rabbitte, Eimear (17 August 2013)."Masterchef final becomes a sticky situation for Maia Dunphy".Irish Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 26 September 2013.Retrieved18 June2014.
- ^"All Star Mr & Mrs".ITV.3 June 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 6 June 2014.Retrieved18 June2014.
- ^"All Star Mr & Mrs Episode 2".Press Centre.Archivedfrom the original on 15 June 2018.Retrieved10 January2019.
- ^McCreesh, Louise (15 May 2018)."Johnny Vegas and wife Maia Dunphy announce separation".Archivedfrom the original on 4 December 2019.Retrieved10 April2021.
- ^"Maia Dunphy tweets image of ultrasound scan".Twitter.26 January 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2022.Retrieved26 January2015.
- ^abBourne, Dianne (14 May 2018)."Johnny Vegas confirms split from wife Maia. Dunphy".Manchester Evening News.Archivedfrom the original on 19 May 2018.Retrieved18 May2018.
- ^Finn, Melanie (21 March 2014)."Maia Dunphy is finally moving in with comic hubby Johnny Vegas".Irish Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 23 March 2014.Retrieved18 June2014.
- ^Egan, Barry (26 November 2018)."Happy Christmas! Johnny and Maia together again".Irish Independent.Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^Gallagher, Katie (6 April 2020)."Maia Dunphy opens up on splitting from comedian Johnny Vegas for second time".Archivedfrom the original on 7 September 2020.Retrieved10 April2021.
https:// irishmirror.ie/showbiz/broadcaster-maia-dunphy-still-heartbroken-27851385