Thomas Anthony Meade (1959 – 31 October 2021), known professionally as Simon Young, was an Irish radio and television presenter. He started in pirate radio and DJ'ing in the 1970's. He presented various TV shows such as '' The Beatbox'' and had radio shows on 2FM. He was also known for making contributions to the cult children's television strand, ''

Dempsey's Den ''The Den'' was a long-running children's entertainment television programme on Ireland's public broadcaster, RTÉ. First broadcast on 29 September 1986 on RTÉ1, it moved to Network 2 two years later. Initially a continuity strand for wee ...

'', hosted by his radio colleague at that time,

Ian Dempsey Ian Dempsey (born 16 January 1961) is an Irish presenter of television and breakfast radio. He is the long-running presenter of the breakfast show on Today FM, self-titled ''The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show'', which runs from 6-9 am each weekday. ...

. Young resigned from RTÉ in 2002 and held a very private life until 2011. He died ten years later, at the age of 62.

Career

Young presented ''Simon's Choice'' or ''Simon's Saturday Choice'' on Saturday mornings from 10:00 - 13:00 in the late 1980s. The catchphrase "Hey Simon, What toime is ittt?" originates from this time. ''Choice'' was a marketing tool used by the

Bank of Ireland Bank of Ireland Group plc () is a commercial bank operation in Ireland and one of the traditional Big Four Irish banks. Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history. At ...

, which offered cheap "Fair Cards" for under-26s who opened a "Choice" account at one of their branches. Young was distinguishable by his

moustache A moustache (; mustache, ) is a growth of facial hair grown above the upper lip and under the human nose, nose. Moustaches have been worn in various styles throughout history. Etymology The word "moustache" is French language, French, and i ...

which he grew when he was 15 after noticing in the ''

RTÉ Guide The ''RTÉ Guide'' is a television and radio listings magazine in Ireland published by RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Ltd, a subsidiary of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The magazine offers detailed programme listings for RTÉ channels, as w ...

'' that people who worked in RTÉ had moustaches.

Tony Fenton Tony Fenton (born Anthony James Fagan; 25 March 1961 – 12 March 2015) was an Irish radio presenter and DJ. For 18 years until he left in 2003, he worked with RTÉ 2fm; then joined Today FM in 2004, where he worked until his death 11 years ...

affectionately called him "Simes." He gave British band Bros his approval as they gained minor success with the song, "

When Will I Be Famous? "When Will I Be Famous?" is a song by British boy band Bros. Written by Nicky Graham and Tom Watkins, "When Will I Be Famous?" was released as a single in November 1987. The following year, it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, to ...

". Young made regular substitute appearances for Ian Dempsey, and these appearances extended as far as the children's television favourite ''Dempsey's Den'' on

RTÉ Two (; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Republic of Ireland, Irish Public broadcasting, public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on RTÉ Television, television, RT� ...

. He was often seen in convulsions laughing at

Dustin the Turkey Dustin the Turkey, a character performed by John Morrison is a former star of RTÉ television's '' The Den'' between 1989 and 2010 and from 2020. He has been described as "the most subversive comedy force on Irish television". A turkey vultur ...

, which at times rendered him speechless on camera. Young's other radio shows included '' The Beatbox'' and the ''2FM Weekend Breakfast Show'' on Saturday and Sunday in the late 1990s. Young also filled the role of Jimmy in the 30-minute ''Jimmy's Slot'' for a time on Dempsey's 2fm breakfast show in the 1990s, popularising the phrase "Ger owa dat garden!" After Young left 2fm because of his illness, the station continued broadcasting ''Ireland's Biggest Jukebox'', currently fronted by station controller John Clarke. He retired from RTÉ in 2002, but returned to the public in July 2011 when he gave an interview to ''

Hot Press ''Hot Press'' is a monthly music and politics magazine based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in June 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. History ''Hot Press'' was founded in June 1977 by Niall Stokes, who cont ...

''. Young appeared on RTÉ Radio 1's '' The John Murray Show'' in August 2011 and talked about his battle with depression and other illnesses. He said during the interview that he had been hospitalised for half of the previous nine years. ''

The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...

'' called the interview with Young the "radio moment of the week ... Easy listening it was not."

Death

Young died on 31 October 2021, aged 62 as confirmed by his family. He died peacefully in his sleep following a long illness. Several sources incorrectly reported his age as 70. Tributes were paid to him on TV and radio and in print by public figures, such as fellow DJ and presenter

. Dempsey and Young had been in contact for four decades. Young is survived by his wife Phyl, son Nathan and daughter Holly.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Simon 2021 deaths RTÉ 2fm presenters RTÉ television presenters 1959 births Place of birth missing