Born in Dunedin in 1942, Dougal’s unmarried mother put him up for adoption. From age six Dougal was sent to boarding school, where his dramatic flair was noted and encouraged.

Beginning his career in 1964 on Dunedin’s DNTV2, Dougal was chosen to read the first news bulletin when television’s nightly news at 6:30 went nationwide in 1969.

Dougal has gone on to present various television and radio shows, and has acted in feature films.

Dougal is married to Caroline and they have three children.