One of Northern Ireland’s best-known broadcasting personalities Julian Simmons has been added to the line-up for F*ckup Nights Belfast Vol. 4 later this month.
The former UTV presenter and announcer, who became a household name during a broadcasting career spanning several decades, will take to the stage at The Black Box in Belfast on Friday August 21 to share some of the professional blunders from his life in television.
Julian joins international keynote speaker and BBC broadcaster David Meade, who has already been announced as guest host and star speaker for the fourth Belfast edition of the global event series.
Known to generations of Northern Ireland viewers for his unmistakable personality and colourful introductions to some of UTV’s biggest programmes, Julian became particularly synonymous with his introductions to Coronation Street during his long career with the broadcaster.
His work at UTV saw him turn his hand to everything from continuity announcing and newsreading to sports results, weather and television presenting before leaving the broadcaster in 2020.
More recently Julian has remained a familiar voice and personality for Northern Ireland audiences, including appearances on BBC Radio Ulster alongside presenters Vinny Hurrell and Cate Conway.
Now, rather than looking back at the broadcasting moments that went exactly to plan, he will be revealing some of the ones that did not.
At F*ckup Nights Belfast, Julian will share some of the mistakes, mishaps and memorable moments from his celebrated television career as part of an evening dedicated to the stories people normally leave out when talking about professional success.
Founded in Mexico City in 2012, F*ckup Nights is a global movement which aims to break the taboo around professional failure by giving people a platform to talk candidly about what went wrong, what it cost them and what they learned as a result.
Unlike traditional business events where speakers tend to focus on achievements, growth and success, F*ckup Nights turns the format on its head.
Speakers are given just seven minutes and 10 slides to tell the audience about a professional failure, from businesses that crashed and burned and partnerships that went wrong to decisions, deals and mistakes they would rather forget.
F*ckup Nights Belfast is run by Chris Shannon and Meg Magill, who brought the international movement to the city to encourage people across Northern Ireland’s business and entrepreneurial community to become more comfortable talking about failure.
The pair believe creating more open conversations around mistakes can encourage people to take risks, try new things and recognise that failure is often part of building a career or business rather than something that has to be hidden.
Chris and Meg, who both work within the Northern Ireland entrepreneurial ecosystem, said the aim isn’t simply to celebrate failure for the sake of it, but to challenge the idea that successful careers and businesses are built without mistakes along the way.
Meg said: “F*ckup Nights Belfast Vol. 4 will feature three candid and unfiltered stories alongside audience ‘f*ckups from the floor’, giving those attending the opportunity to share their own experiences.”
The fourth Belfast event is being supported by drinks and interval sponsor Venture Folk and media sponsor Entrepreneurs Unleashed, with further speakers due to be announced ahead of the August event.
International keynote speaker, mentalist and broadcaster David Meade will host proceedings, bringing together candid stories from the stage with audience “f*ckups from the floor”, where guests will also have the opportunity to get involved in the conversation.
F*ckup Nights Belfast Vol. 4 takes place at The Black Box, Belfast, on Friday August 21.
Doors open at 7pm with the event beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 and the event is for ages 18 and over. The first 40 guests through the doors will receive a free drink.
For tickets and further information go to: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fuckupnightsbelfast/2301953