Last updated January 2006
Category:
Scotland
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Tam Cowan is best known for co-presenting BBC Radio Scotland's Off The Ball and as presenter of the popular football fanzine programme, Offside, on Monday nights.
Tam started his career as soon as he left high school, when he immediately started writing comedy shows and sketches for both TV and radio.
In 1991, he furthered his interest in journalism when he joined the Glasgow Evening Times, where he wrote a football column three times a week until 1998.
In 1995 Tam joined Radio Scotland's award-winning On
and Off the Ball, where he quickly established a striking partnership with fellow presenter Stuart Cosgrove.
The show has recently been extended to incorporate a mid-week show.
Tam has been voted Sports Columnist of the Year.
He joined The Daily Record in 1998 writing football columns and restaurant reviews and was shortlisted as Columnist of the Year in 2005.
His on-screen TV career started in 1997 with STV, when he captained a team in the football quiz A Game of Two Halves.
In 2001, Tam presented Taxi For Cowan, a six-part comedy
travelogue for BBC ONE Scotland. The show combined documentary and comedy
in the inimitable style that's uniquely Tam's.
Tam now presents Offside, which originated on the former BBC Choice but now enjoys a regular Monday night slot on BBC ONE in Scotland, with pal Jonathan Watson.
Personal career highlights include reporting and broadcasting from the Euro '96 and France '98 football tournaments.
Born in 1969 in Motherwell and educated at Braidhurst High School, Tam's interests include supporting Motherwell FC, going to the horse racing and eating and drinking, although dietary conditions ensure it's Diet Irn Bru and vodka accompanied by salads.
