Who is Steve Carson? — Miriam O’Callaghan’s husband set to return to RTÉ

Miriam O’Callaghan’s husband Steve Carson is returning to RTÉ this Autumn when the director and producer takes up a new role with the public service broadcaster.

The Belfast native has previous experience at the broadcaster having worked as the Director of Programmes for RTÉ TV before departing the role for BBC Northern Ireland.

He is current head of BBC Scotland but will be returning to RTÉ in the coming months, resulting in the end of his long-distance marriage to Prime Time presenter Miriam.

But just who is Steve Carson and how did he meet his other half Miriam?

Who is Steve Carson?

Steve Carson is a Belfast native who attended the Methodist College before receiving an undergraduate degree at Manchester University. His father Tom worked as the Features Editor of the Belfast Telegraph while his mum Patricia was an elected councillor in Belfast.

Following University, Steve went on to become a producer/director on BBC programmes such as Newsnight and Panorama.

How did he meet Miriam?

Miriam and Steve met when Steve was working on Newsnight. A friendship blossomed between the pair which led to a romance the following year after the pair had worked together.

The TV presenter previously noted how their relationship ‘could have been doomed’ due to a number of factors including Miriam was just going through a divorce and had four children as well as the fact that she was eight years older than Steve.

‘Love conquers all,’ she said, ‘He is the love of my life and a very good guy. Steve saved me.’

The pair tied the knot in 2000 and went on to have four children, with their youngest son recently completing his Leaving Certificate exams.

Work experience

After falling for Miriam, Steve moved to Dublin and joined the Prime Time team.

The couple also went on to launch their own independent production company, Mint, which was behind a number of documentaries as well as TV shows for Channel 4 and the BBC. The company was versatile and even created the Irish spin-off of Who Do You Think You Are?

In 2009, the couple closed Mint down as Carson became Director of Programmes at RTÉ. In 2011 he became the state broadcasters Editor of Current Affairs on a temporary basis.

Steve departed RTE in 2013 and returned to the BBC where he became Head of Productions for BBC Northern Ireland. Four years later he made the move to BBC Scotland.

The gig resulted in Carson working away from his Dublin home during the week and pursuing a long-distance marriage with Miriam.

Returning to RTÉ

This Autumn, Steve returns to RTE where he will take up the role of Director of Video.

Speaking following the announcement, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst was confident Carson could ‘deliver real success across all genres.’

Mr Bakhurst said Carson’s proven skills ‘will help us to craft and execute a comprehensive editorial strategy across all of RTÉ’s television stations and RTÉ Player.’