Jonathan Ross is one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters, a film lover and interviewer whose career stretches from cult Channel 4 shows in the late 1980s to prime-time ITV chat shows and a weekly Classic FM film-music programme. Born 17 November 1960, he became a household name through television and radio, winning industry awards, attracting huge audiences, and provoking intense public debate about taste and standards.
Early life and outlook
Jonathan Stephen Ross grew up in east London in a family with links to acting and media, and he studied art and modern European history before moving into television research and production. He developed a fast, conversational interviewing style and an appetite for film, comics and pop culture that would shape his public persona.
Rise in television and radio
From niche to mainstream
Ross first broke through with late-night and cult programmes, moving from Channel 4 in the 1980s into more mainstream roles. He became the BBC’s film reviewer, and in 1999 he launched a regular slot on BBC Radio 2. His television profile was cemented by Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC One, which ran through the 2000s and showcased a mix of Hollywood stars, comedians and musicians.
Awards and recognition
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), awarded in 2005 for services to broadcasting.
- Three BAFTA TV awards for Best Entertainment Performance, reflecting industry recognition of his interviewing skills and entertainment value.
The 2008 scandal and its aftermath
In October 2008, a series of prank calls involving Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, left on the answerphone of actor Andrew Sachs and later broadcast, triggered a major public outcry. The episode led to a high volume of complaints, executive resignations at the BBC, and a suspension for Ross. The regulator found breaches of broadcasting rules and the BBC was fined £150,000.
"I'm going to take this opportunity to apologise for what I said on the radio," Ross said in a public apology after the incident.
The affair, often referred to in media coverage as Sachsgate, changed editorial practices at broadcasters and cast a long shadow over Ross’s reputation. He was suspended for 12 weeks without pay, and the episode is frequently cited in discussions around responsibility, editorial oversight, and the limits of shock or prank humour on public airwaves.
Reinvention, platform changes and later career
Leaving the BBC, moving to ITV
Ross left his regular BBC roles in 2010 and re-established himself on commercial television. Since 2011 he has presented The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV, a celebrity chat show that brought his trademark sofa interviews to a new network and a different production rhythm, with pre-recorded episodes and commercial breaks.
Radio and wider work
- In March 2023 Ross became the presenter of Classic FM’s Saturday Night at the Movies, a weekly two-hour celebration of film scores, signalling a public return to film-focused broadcasting.
- He has worked on entertainment specials, judged reality entertainment shows, hosted comedy showcases and produced comic-book and film-related projects that reflect his long-standing fandom.
Recent public-facing projects
In the 2020s Ross has continued hosting on ITV, taken part in television entertainment formats and fronted ITV’s Oscars companion coverage, while keeping film and music at the centre of his broadcasting identity.
How critics and supporters see him
Supporters say
- Ross is a natural interviewer, adept at coaxing candid moments from high-profile guests, and he helped modernise British chat shows by blending film criticism, celebrity access and cheeky banter.
- His deep love of movies, and his knowledge of film music and pop culture, make him a credible and entertaining critic as well as host.
Critics say
- Ross’s style sometimes crosses into sensationalism, and the 2008 episode with Brand is cited as evidence that his humour can be careless of privacy and decency.
- He has been criticised for allowing tone-deaf remarks on air in earlier work, and for the mismatch between his public profile and occasional lapses in judgement.
This tension between talent and controversy is central to his public image, and it has shaped how both industry and audiences view him.
Career timeline (selected)
Show or role | Broadcaster | Years |
|---|---|---|
The Last Resort and Channel 4 features | Channel 4 | late 1980s |
Film presenter | BBC | 1999–2010 |
Radio 2 presenter | BBC Radio 2 | 1999–2010 (occasional returns later) |
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross | BBC One | 2001–2010 |
The Jonathan Ross Show | ITV | 2011–present |
Saturday Night at the Movies | Classic FM | 2023–present |
Public legacy and industry impact
Jonathan Ross helped make film talk and celebrity conversation mainstream, creating moments that journalists and viewers still reference, and he shaped expectations about what a personality-driven chat show could be. At the same time, the controversies attached to his name prompted broadcasters to refine their compliance rules, and the regulatory response to the 2008 incident became a reference point in debates about taste, privacy and editorial responsibility.
Personal life and interests
Ross is married to writer and broadcaster Jane Goldman, they married in 1988 and have three children. He is an avid collector of comic books and film memorabilia, and he has occasionally turned that passion into public projects, including producing and co-writing comic work and supporting preservation efforts for rare video-game and film material.
What to watch and listen to now
- The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV, which continues to book music, film and television guests.
- Saturday Night at the Movies on Classic FM, where Ross curates film music and soundtrack highlights.
- Special event coverage and one-off ITV or radio specials, where he frequently appears as a film commentator or host.
Final assessment
Jonathan Ross’s career is a study in contrasts, a mix of high professional recognition, broad popular appeal, and episodes that prompted serious public debate. For many viewers he remains a go-to voice on film and a skilled, fast-talking interviewer, yet his legacy is inseparable from the controversies that led broadcasters to rethink standards and oversight. That duality explains why, more than three decades into his public life, he still provokes strong reactions, and why his choices continue to matter for the shape of British entertainment broadcasting.