Jonathan Ross

BBC Press Office

Jonathan began his media career as a researcher on the Channel 4 chat show Loose Talk.

Various other documentaries and shows followed before he began working on Soul Train. While working on the show he met researcher Alan Marke and the pair came up with the idea of The Last Resort and their own production company.

In 1987 Channel X was born. Finding themselves short of a satisfactory host, Jonathan stepped in and made his television presenting debut in January 1987. The show was a hit and broke the mould of the traditional TV chat show in this country; as a result, Channel 4 commissioned a total of four series.

Jonathan's radio career began in 1987 when he filled in for Janice Long on BBC Radio 1 for two weeks. He then hosted a flagship show on Richard Branson's first radio station, Radio (the fore-runner to Virgin Radio) in 1988.

Jonathan was also a regular contributor on BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends from 1987 to 1989. In 1998 he teamed up with Chris Evans to host a flagship show for the new-look Virgin Radio, The Jonathan Ross Show.

He now presents his own programme every Saturday morning on BBC Radio 2.

Jonathan's prolific television career as a presenter has included: The Incredibly Strange Film Show; One Hour With Jonathan Ross; For One Week Only; Tonight With Jonathan Ross; Saturday Zoo; Gag Tag (with Frank Skinner); Mondo Rosso; The Late Jonathan Ross; In Search Of...; They Think It's All Over; The Big Big Talent Show; and It's Only TV… But I Like It.

Since 1991 Jonathan has compered the British Comedy Awards.

In 1999 Jonathan became Barry Norman's successor on the BBC One flagship film show.

He hosts his own BBC One chat show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross which has won numerous awards including three BAFTAs, a British Comedy Award, Broadcast Award and the Indie Award for Best Entertainment Programme.

He also presents the BBC Three series Japanorama and hosts the BAFTA Film Awards.

In May 2003 Jonathan picked up two Sony Awards for his work in the radio industry. He won best entertainment presenter and the special 2002 award for achievements over the year.

He has won two Royal Television Society awards for Best Entertainment Performance, in 2002 for Friday Night with Jonathan Ross/They Think It's All Over, and in 2003 for Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

In March 2005, and for the second year running, Jonathan was awarded the prestigious Television and Radio Industries Club awards for Best Radio/Digital Radio Personality of the Year.

In June 2005, Jonathan became Jonathan Ross OBE, and was voted the most powerful man in broadcasting by Radio Times.