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New presenter of Countdown Colin Murray to host Aberdeen’s Power of Energy Charity Gala

By Erikka Askeland

November 7 2022, 7:00 am

The Power of Energy Charity Gala will be hosted by star of TV and radio Colin Murray.

TV and radio presenter Colin Murray has been unveiled as the host of a new charity gala event for people living and working in the north-east.

The engaging, friendly, amusing and enthusiastic host has recently been confirmed as the new full time host of Channel 4 game show Countdown after taking over the teatime quiz as temporary presenter in July.

The Northern Ireland-born host will also be in Aberdeen to entertain hundreds of guests attending the Power of Energy Charity Gala later this month.

The Power of Energy Charity Gala, a fresh new event for the energy industry has been launched, promising to harness the connective power of the sector by bringing individuals and businesses together to champion success and innovation.

Taking place at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on Saturday November 26 this year, the event is presented by Energy Voice and Sustainable Growth Voice, with media partner The Press and Journal.

The focus of the new annual gala will be to commemorate progress that is being made to reshape the industry for a sustainable future, and to raise vital funds for charity partner Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

An evolution of the long-established Energy Ball, The Power of Energy Charity Gala will hear from speakers from across the energy sector, fundraising for SCAA, entertainment from a live band, and the chance to recognise the people and companies leading the way in redefining the industry.

The event is co-presented by the recently-launched Sustainable Growth Voice, a companion brand to DC Thomson’s Energy Voice, the leading title for the global energy industry. SG Voice is setting out to encourage change by helping businesses navigate the route to sustainability.

Fundraising will take place through The Power of Energy Charity Gala night for Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), Scotland’s only charity air ambulance. Image: SCAA

Fundraising will take place through the night for SCAA, Scotland’s only charity air ambulance. SCAA responds to, on average, two life-saving missions per day, covering an area of more than 30,000 square miles. The charity relies entirely on public donations to keep its two helicopter air ambulances in the air.

Cara Munro, head of events for DC Thomson said: “The energy industry is radically transforming, and we felt that the time was right to create an event that recognised the innovation and collaboration across the sector.

Alan Findlater, director of event partner, LUXE SCOT, said: “The Power of Energy Charity Gala is shaping up to be an excellent evening celebrating the best that the industry has to offer while raising money for SCAA and the crucial work it does around Aberdeen and beyond.”

“We are delighted to support The Power of Energy Charity Gala 2022. It is vitally important for Luxe Scot to work alongside and learn from companies not only working on transitioning but still looking to deliver above all expectations in their day-to-day business.”

Who is Colin Murray?

Colin Murray is a TV and radio presenter who has covered everything from sport to music to lifestyle in his varied career.

Prior to having taken the top role at Countdown, he came to prominence on Radio 5 Live’s sports panel show Fighting Talk where he marshalled the egos of the competing pundits, comedians and journalists. He is also the anchor of Quest’s football league highlights show, EFL on Quest.

The Northern Ireland-born presenter has recently been confirmed as the new full time host of Channel 4 game show Countdown.

The three-time Sony Gold winner began as a newspaper reporter in his native Northern Ireland, before which he published his own music magazine Blank. He then unexpectedly found himself co-hosting BBC Radio 1’s Session In Northern Ireland.

Colin then established a popular partnership interviewing Britpop rock stars with Edith Bowman on Radio1’s daytime schedule before going it alone hosting the early evening new music show.

On television, he has hosted Match of the Day 2 and the ever-popular BDO World Darts Championships.

Whilst on TV he also fronted football highlights for Channel 5 and Quest.

Colin’s assorted other credits run from presenting Channel 4′s NFL coverage to Soundscape – a journey through music, film, history, and comedy for BBC6 Music.

Amongst his many other shows on 5 Live include: Kicking Off; Colin Murray’s Gold Run in which he attempted to track down every living British Olympic gold medallist; At Home with Colin Murray, a series of revealing interviews with sporting greats; and, reuniting with Edith Bowman, Bump Club which followed women through their pregnancy, offering tips and guidance.

Away from broadcasting, Colin writes regular columns for Metro and the Radio Times, and has written a book, A Random History of Football.