dˈɑːnəli wʌz bˈɔːɹn ɪn ɡlˈæzɡoʊ, wˌɛɹ hiː bɪɡˈæn hɪz kɚɹˈɪɹ wɪð ɹˈeɪdɪˌoʊ klˈaɪd ɪnðə nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti z, pɹɪzˈɛntɪŋ ðə tˈɑːpɹˈeɪɾᵻd mˈɪd mˈɔːɹnɪŋ ʃˈoʊ fɹʌm nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti nˈaɪn ʌntˈɪl nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti tˈuː.
Donnelly was born in Glasgow, where he began his career with Radio Clyde in the 1970s, presenting the top-rated Mid Morning Show from 1979 until 1992.