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Jonathan Ross | |
|---|---|
 Ross in 2017 | |
| Born | Jonathan Stephen Ross (1960-11-17)17 November 1960 (age 64) London, England |
| Alma mater | Southampton College of Art, School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies,University College London |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Employer(s) | BBC (1997–2010, 2014–2018) Channel 4 (1987–2007, 2009–2014, 2018–present) ITV (1991–2006, 2009, 2011–present) |
| Notable work | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross Film The Jonathan Ross Show The Masked Singer The Masked Dancer |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Mother | Martha Ross |
| Relatives | Paul Ross (brother) |
Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960)[1] is an English broadcaster, film critic, comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He presented theBBC One chat showFriday Night with Jonathan Ross during the 2000s and early 2010s, hosted his own radio show onBBC Radio 2 from 1999 to 2010, and served as film critic and presenter of theFilm programme.
After leaving the BBC in 2010, Ross began hosting his comedy chat showThe Jonathan Ross Show onITV. Other regular roles have included being a panellist on the comedy sports quizThey Think It's All Over (1999–2005), being a presenter of theBritish Comedy Awards (1991–2007, 2009–2014), and being a judge on the musical competition showThe Masked Singer (2020–present) and its spin-off seriesThe Masked Dancer (2021–2022).
Ross began his television career as a TV researcher, before débuting as a presenter forThe Last Resort with Jonathan Ross onChannel 4 in 1987. Over the next decade, he presented numerous radio and television programmes, many through his own production company, Channel X. In 1995, he sold his stake in Channel X, and embarked on a career with theBBC in 1997. In 1999, Ross took over presenting theFilm programme fromBarry Norman, and also began presenting his own radio show, while two years later he began hostingFriday Night with Jonathan Ross. For the chat show, Ross won threeBritish Academy Television Awards for Best Entertainment Performance, in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
In 2005, Ross was made anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to broadcasting.[1] Ross has been involved in controversies throughout his broadcasting career.[2][3] As a result, in 2008, he wrote a semi-autobiographical work titledWhy Do I Say These Things?, detailing some of his life experiences. He has also written his own comic books,Turf andAmerica's Got Powers.
Jonathan Stephen Ross was born on 17 November 1960[4] inSt Pancras, north London[5] and raised inLeytonstone, east London.[6] The son of John and actressMartha Ross, he has four brothers and one sister.[7][8] He is the younger brother of journalist, television editor, and media personalityPaul Ross.[7][9]
Their mother put all of her children forward for roles in television advertisements.[10][11] Ross first appeared in a television advertisement for thebreakfast cereal Kellogg'sRice Krispies in 1970, when he was 10 years old.[12] He also appeared in an ad for thelaundry detergentPersil.[8]
Ross was educated at thecomprehensive schoolsNorlington School for Boys andLeyton County High School for Boys.[13] He then studied at theSouthampton College of Art[14] and took a degree in Modern European History at theSchool of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) in London, which today forms part ofUniversity College London.[15]
Ross began his adult career as a researcher on theChannel 4 showLoose Talk. After leaving this, he worked on various other shows before beginning another research job onSoul Train, which becameSolid Soul. It is believed his first appearance on television was as an extra in the 1981It Ain't Half Hot, Mum episodeThe Last Roll Call.[16]
Whilst onSolid Soul, he met fellow researcher Alan Marke, and the two devised what would prove to be a breakthrough hit for Ross in 1987,The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross.[17]
The two men based their concept on the successful American showLate Night with David Letterman, and formed a new production company called Channel X, to produce a pilot. Ross had not planned to be the show's host, but he presented the show from its debut in January 1987.[18]
While the series was initially a co-production withColin Callender, ownership transferred to Marke and Ross, meaning that the latter retained a great deal of control as well as being presenter.[19] The show was successful for both Ross and for Channel 4, making him one of the major personalities on the channel. A year later, his documentary seriesThe Incredibly Strange Film Show introduced many to the works ofcult filmmakers likeSam Raimi andJackie Chan. Ross and Raimi appeared together in a British television advertisement for Raimi's 1987 filmEvil Dead II.[20]
In 1990 and 1991, his television documentary seriesJonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only[21] profiled and interviewed directors includingAlejandro Jodorowsky,David Lynch,Aki Kaurismäki and in 2014, the Spanish filmmakerPedro Almodóvar.[22]
In 1989, he co-presented the biennial BBC charity telethonComic Relief, the same year he launchedOne Hour with Jonathan Ross a short lived chat show on Channel 4. Its game show segment, "Knock down ginger", introduced comedians such asVic Reeves,Bob Mortimer,Paul Whitehouse andCharlie Higson to television. In December 1989, Ross appeared onCilla's Goodbye to the 80s and presented all four members ofQueen with the "Top Band of the Eighties" prize in a broadcast forITV which would turn out to beFreddie Mercury's penultimate public appearance before his death from AIDS in 1991.
Ross presented the annualBritish Comedy Awards each year from 1991 to 2014 with the exception of 2008 following his suspension from the BBC.[23][24] In 1992 he presented an interview withMadonna about herErotica album andSex Book promotion.
Ross has appeared in numerous television entertainment programmes on several channels throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He was a regular panellist on the sports quizThey Think It's All Over, and hosted thepanel gameIt's Only TV...But I Like It. Other projects include the BBC joke-quizGagtag, the Channel 4 variety showSaturday Zoo, new-acts showcaseThe Big Big Talent Show, and the ITV programmeFantastic Facts.
In 1995, he left Channel X, despite its profitable nature. He was quoted in a 1998 article as stating:
It was to do with a deliberate change in my life, moving away from TV as the core of my existence to focus on my family more. So I had to give up everything to do with Channel X, and I literally got only £1 for my share, which was unbelievable.[25]
In 1995, he presentedMondo Rosso, a programme about oldcult films. He took over presenting ofthe Film programme, the BBC's long-running cinema review series, in 1999 afterBarry Norman left the show. Ross himself has made a number of cameo appearances in films, playing himself in theSpice Girls' filmSpice World (1997) and voicing the character of Doris in the UK version ofShrek 2 (2004). In 2001 he also played himself inOnly Fools and Horses, presentingGoldrush, a fictional television quiz on which the main character,Del, was a contestant. In 2001 he voiced characters in two episodes of the animated comedy seriesRex the Runt. He also appeared on the first pilot show forShooting Stars, acting as a team captain.
He was the subject ofThis Is Your Life in March 2001 when he was surprised byMichael Aspel at the BBC Television Centre.[citation needed]
Ross's first radio work was onBBC Radio 1 in 1987, when he sat in forJanice Long for two weeks. Ross began presenting a Saturday morning show onBBC Radio 2 in July 1999. He has also presented radio shows forVirgin Radio (having previously worked onRichard Branson's earlier venture,Radio Radio), as well as the now-defunctcommercial radio network serviceThe Superstation, where his producer wasChris Evans. Ross's show on Radio 2 last aired on 17 July 2010 when his contract at the BBC ended.
In August 2014, he returned to Radio 2 as a stand-in presenter on Steve Wright's afternoon show for four days.[26] In March 2015 Jonathan sat in for Steve Wright again from 16 to 27 March 2015.[27] In February 2016 Ross returned to Radio 2 on a regular basis to present the weekly arts show. From January 11, 2018,Anneka Rice took over the arts show.
In 2001, Ross began presenting hisBBC One comedy chat showFriday Night with Jonathan Ross.
In 2004, Ross presented a documentary on one of his favourite subjects,punk rock, for the BBC.[28]
In November 2005, Ross appeared onGordon Ramsay's The F Word where Ramsay shows Ross how to kill lobster.[29][30]
In 2005, Ross anchored the BBC television coverage of theLive 8 concerts. Later that year he was made an Officer of theOrder of the British Empire in theQueen's Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting. He celebrated the news by playing "God Save the Queen" byThe Sex Pistols (which was banned by the BBC when released in 1977) on hisBBC Radio 2 Saturday morning show. On 21 June 2006, Ross was made a Fellow ofUniversity College London, where he studied.
In early 2006, Ross announced that after eight years he was quitting his regular panellist seat on the sport/comedy quiz showThey Think It's All Over explaining: "I need time now to focus on my other commitments and so regrettably I won't be back for the 20th series." Following Ross's departure, only two more episodes of the show were made before it was cancelled.
In January 2006 he presentedJonathan Ross' Asian Invasion, broadcast onBBC Four. The three-part documentary followed Ross as he explored the film industry in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, interviewing directors and showcasing clips. His interest inEast Asian culture and his self-confessed love for Japaneseanime andvideo games led him to making three series ofBBC Three showJapanorama, as well as producing another television series for the same channel calledAdam and Joe Go Tokyo, starringAdam Buxton andJoe Cornish. He produced the latter programme through his own television production company Hot Sauce.
In June 2006, a bidding war was sparked between BBC and other broadcasters for Ross's services. Although other broadcasters were unsuccessful in poaching Ross, it is believed that their bids were higher than the BBC during negotiations. ITV, who bid for Ross, poached chat hostMichael Parkinson around the same time. Ross became the highest paid television personality in Britain, when a new BBC contract secured his services until 2010, for a reported £18 million (£6 million per year).[31] That same month, he was named byRadio Times as themost powerful person in British radio.[32]
On 25 June 2006, he performed at theChildren's Party at the Palace forthe Queen's 80th birthday.[citation needed] In August 2006, Ross asked the first question in theYahoo! Answers "Five Million Answers challenge".[33][34] On 16 March 2007, Ross hostedComic Relief 2007 alongsideFearne Cotton andLenny Henry.
On 7 July 2007, Ross co-presented (withGraham Norton) BBC television coverage of theLive Earthclimate change awareness concerts, which became the subject of controversy due to the foul language used by performers includingPhil Collins,Madonna andJohnny Borrell, resulting in one ofOfcom's toughest sanctions to date on the BBC.[35] Ross had been required to apologise on the day for the language used by Collins and Borrell.[36]
Ross is well-known as an enthusiastic comic book collector. Starting on 10 September 2007, he presented the BBC Four seriesComics Britannia, about thehistory of the British comic. This forms the core of a Comics Britannia season, which includes another documentary,In Search of Steve Ditko, by Ross.[37] Ross is also greatly interested in Japan, presenting a BBC-TV series on many different aspects of Japanese culture,Japanorama, for three series between 2002 and 2007. In May 2008, Ross won the Sony Gold Award "Music Radio Personality of the Year".[38] On 3 August 2008, he hostedJonathan Ross SalutesDad's Army, a BBC One tribute to the sitcom set duringWorld War II.[39]
In 2010, Ross took part inChannel 4's Comedy Gala, abenefit show held in aid ofGreat Ormond Street Children's Hospital, filmed live atThe O2 Arena in London on 30 March. On 7 April 2010, Ross's first comic book was published.Turf was written by Jonathan himself and drawn by artistTommy Lee Edwards.[40] In 2011, Ross wrote an introduction forThe Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol. 1,[41] a collection of work by the American comics artist featured in Ross's 2007 documentary.
On 7 January 2010, Ross confirmed that he would leave the BBC in July 2010. This would see him leave all his regular BBC roles, namely his Friday night chat show, Radio 2 show and the film review programme, although he would be continuing with some specials, such as Comic Relief and the BAFTA Awards.[42][43][44][45]
Ross said that while he "had a wonderful time working for the BBC" he had "decided not to re-negotiate when my current contract comes to an end," a choice which was "not financially motivated".[42] The announcement came a day after it became public knowledge thatGraham Norton had signed a two-year deal with the BBC. Torin Douglas, the corporation's media correspondent speculated Norton would be a ready-made replacement for Ross's chat show role, whileMark Kermode ofBBC Radio 5 Live was a potential successor in the film review role, but that "replacing Ross on radio will be harder."[42] Ross last appeared on the film programme in Episode 10 ofFilm 2010 with Jonathan Ross aired on 17 March 2010. After Kermode publicly ruled himself out on 26 March,Claudia Winkleman was announced 30 March 2010 as his replacement as host of theFilm programme.
Ross's finalFriday Night chat show episode aired on 16 July 2010, withDavid Beckham,Jackie Chan,Mickey Rourke, andRoxy Music as guests. Ross ended the show with an affectionate tribute to his guests and to the audience, while mentioning that he had promisedMorrissey that he would remain composed and "wouldn't cry." His final Radio 2 show was broadcast the following day.Patrick Kielty initially took over Ross's Radio 2 slot, after whichGraham Norton took over permanently from 2 October that year.
On 19 December 2010, Ross presented a three-hourChannel 4 list show,100 Greatest Toys, with the broadcaster describing Ross as a "hugetoy enthusiast with a private collection that would rival any museum's".[46][47] In 2012, Ross's voice appeared as a headteacher inBack to School at theEdinburgh Festival.[48] In October 2013, Ross was hired by Xbox (Microsoft) to help promote the brand.[49] In 2011, he presentedPenn & Teller: Fool Us on ITV, a collaboration with magiciansPenn & Teller, which he would resume hosting when the show moved toThe CW in 2014.
Ross's new chat show,The Jonathan Ross Show, began on 3 September 2011 onITV1,[50] drawing an audience of 4.3m viewers, compared to the 4.6m for his finale on the BBC show.[51] The first series ran for thirteen weeks. Speaking about the new show, Ross said: "I am thrilled and excited that after a short break I will be rolling up my sleeves and creating a brand new show for ITV1."[52]
On 20 October 2014, it was announced by ITV that Ross had signed a new contract with ITV. The new contract will see him present two more series of his chatshow along with a Christmas Special on ITV in 2015. ITV's Director of Entertainment and Comedy Elaine Bedell added: "Jonathan is the king of talk shows and a valued member of the ITV family. He continues to attract the biggest names in showbiz onto his sofa and I am delighted that he will remain on the channel until at least the end of 2015." Ross said: "I've been lucky enough to interview some of the biggest stars around on The Jonathan Ross Show and I'm delighted that I'll continue to do so for ITV until at least the end of 2015 with two series booked for the channel for next year."[53][54][55] In November 2014, Ross designed aPaddington Bear statue, one of fifty created by various celebrities which were located around London prior to the release of the filmPaddington, with the statues auctioned to raise funds for theNational Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).[56][57]
In 2015, Ross's 2004 interview withAmy Winehouse was featured inAsif Kapadia's highly praiseddocumentary film about the late singer, entitledAmy.[58] In 2017, Ross was a team captain along withFrank Skinner on the ITV panel showDon't Ask Me Ask Britain. In December 2017, Ross presentedGuess the Star, a one-off special for ITV. On 9 September 2019, Ross was announced as a judge forThe Masked Singer UK, the UK version of the international music game showMasked Singer, which aired on ITV from January 2020.[59]
In September 2020, Ross started hosting his own 30-minute weekly ITV show calledJonathan Ross' Comedy Club.[60] On 4 March 2021, it was announced byITV that Ross would be on the celebrity panel of a brand new spin-off show ofThe Masked Singer UK,The Masked Dancer, which aired in spring 2021.[61][62] Ross made his debut appearance onCelebrity Gogglebox on 2 July 2021, and was joined by his son, Harvey, daughter Honey and her boyfriend.[63] In March 2023, Ross replacedAndrew Collins as presenter of the weekly radio showSaturday Night at the Movies onClassic FM.[64]
Ross married the author, journalist, and broadcasterJane Goldman in August 1988 inLas Vegas.[4][65] They have since had three children: Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby (named afterJack Kirby, a comic book creator whom Ross especially admires), and Honey Kinny. In 2005, Ross was made anOBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.[1] He celebrated the news by playing"God Save the Queen" by theSex Pistols on his Radio 2 show.[66]
Ross resides inHampstead Garden Suburb,London.[67][68] He owns a second home inSwanage inDorset[69] and owns property inFlorida in theUnited States.[70]
Ross and others have used hisrhotacism for comic effect, and he is sometimes known as "Wossy",[71] including on his Twitter feed (@wossy).
Ross is a bigpop androck music fan and maintains a particular interest in Britishpunk rock, which captivated him when he was young.[28] The first band he saw in concert was punk bandX-Ray Spex atIslington's Hope and Anchor pub inNorth London. He paid tribute to lead singerPoly Styrene following her death.[72] He has described himself as "about as big a fan ofDavid Bowie as you will find on the planet".[73] Theglamart rock bandRoxy Music are one of his all-time favourite acts and were invited to perform on the final episode ofFriday Night with Jonathan Ross.[74]
Ross is a fan ofscience fiction, includingDoctor Who. He contributed his early memories of the series, which included the 1968 serialThe Invasion, to a book which raised funds forAlzheimer's Research UK.[75]
Ross is a fan of the animation studioStudio Ghibli, especially the works of directorHayao Miyazaki, and has been an early proponent of its works before its international popularity. He first sawNausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in 1987, which he praises as "massively underrated", and considersSpirited Away to be a "masterpiece". He would later interview Miyazaki forJapanorama. Ross provided a minor voice role in one episode ofRonja, the Robber's Daughter.[76]
Ross is also a fan of comic books and co-owned a comic shop in London withPaul Gambaccini. He releasedTurf, his first comic book, in 2010, with American artistTommy Lee Edwards.[77]
Ross has attended a fundraiser for theJames Randi Educational Foundation calledThe Amazing Meeting in London in 2009 and 2010. Ross has described himself as a big fan ofJames Randi and the other speakers – who were mainly prominentsceptics – and said that he and his wife had come to have a sceptical view of the world.[78] Ross has been supportive ofSimon Singh's efforts to defend an accusation of libel by theBritish Chiropractic Association and Ross has posed for theGeek Calendar 2011, a fund raiser forThe Libel Reform Campaign.[79]
Ross's mother,Martha Ross, died on 14 January 2019, at the age of 79.[80]
In 2023, Ross was integral to the preservation of the arcade version ofUm Jammer Lammy, previously thought to belost media, by allowing video game archivists access to his arcade cabinet, thought of as one of the world's last examples.[81]
In April 2006, details of his fees and those of other BBC personalities were leaked to the tabloid press.[82] It was claimed at the time, by a then-unidentified BBCmole, that Ross earned £530,000 per year for hosting his Radio 2 show (equivalent to £10,000 per show).[83] While refusing to comment specifically on the leak in line with BBC policy on the matter, Ross did hint during his radio show that the figure was exaggerated; in addition to this, any pay highlighted as being "his" would actually be split between himself and his producer/co-presenter on the show, Andy Davies.
In June 2006, whenConservative Party leaderDavid Cameron appeared onFriday Night with Jonathan Ross, Ross began a line of questioning relating to Conservative ex-Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcher, culminating in the question "Did you or did you not have awank thinking of Margaret Thatcher?" Ross was defended by theBBC publicly, but repeat showings of the interview have been banned.[84]
On 5 December 2007, Ross joked at theBritish Comedy Awards that his salary meant that he was "apparently worth 1,000 BBC journalists". His quip came shortly after the BBC had announced plans for more than 2,000 job cuts, and was condemned as "obscene" by the general secretary of theNational Union of Journalists.[85] Ross has denied this and in a 2011 article is quoted as saying that he was commenting on a piece that was written in a newspaper about his salary being that of 1,000 journalists:
You know where that came from? The newspapers. After the fee was announced, they said, 'The BBC says he's worth 1,000 journalists', so on the Comedy Awards I made a joke that began, 'Apparently I'm worth 1,000 journalists according to the newspapers.' Every time it's quoted, is the word 'apparently' ever used? Which does change the meaning somewhat.[86]
TheBBC Trust ruled that Ross's interview with American actressGwyneth Paltrow, broadcast on 2 May 2008, breached editorial guidelines. They ruled that bad language in an episode of Ross's pre-recorded BBC1 chat show,Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, in which the presenter told Paltrow he "would fuck her", was "gratuitous and unnecessarily offensive". The trust said it disagreed with the judgement made by BBC management that the episode should be broadcast uncensored, adding that the comment was made in an "overly sexual way" and that it had upheld a number of complaints made about the edition ofFriday Night with Jonathan Ross.[87] The trust reminded BBC staff that "the casual gratuitous use of the most offensive language is not acceptable on the BBC in accordance with the BBC's existing guidelines and practices", adding that "this particularly applies in entertainment programmes".[88]
Following a guest appearance by Ross onThe Russell Brand Show broadcast on 18 October 2008, Ross was suspended for 12 weeks without pay by the BBC on 29 October, after a series of lewd answerphone messages, including Ross saying, "He fucked your granddaughter", were left for then 78-year-old actorAndrew Sachs regarding Sachs' granddaughterGeorgina Baillie, byRussell Brand and Ross, which were broadcast on the pre-recorded show.[89] After little initial interest, a media story about the calls by theDaily Mail generated a high number of complaints. Brand resigned from the BBC, while Ross was suspended without pay. BBC director generalMark Thompson stated that Ross should take the disciplinary action as a "final warning".[90][91] The BBC was later fined £150,000 by Britain's broadcast regulator for airing the calls.[92]
On 21 November 2008, theBBC Trust said that the phone calls were a "deplorable intrusion with no editorial justification".[93] The trust gave its backing to Ross's 12-week suspension but recommended that no further action be taken against him. He returned to work in January 2009 with a new series ofFriday Night. From 23 May 2009, Ross's BBC Radio 2 show was recorded 24 hours before broadcast.[94]
On 13 May 2009, Ross was accused ofhomophobia after a comment he made on his radio show,[95] in which he said,
If your son asks for aHannah Montana MP3 player, then you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption in later life, when they settle down with their partner.[96]
An incorrect version of this quote was also circulated, in which Ross was accused of saying:
If your son asks for aHannah Montana MP3 player, you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption before he brings his ... erm ... partner home.[97]
Ofcom received 61 complaints following the comment. On 7 July 2009, Ofcom ruled that Ross did not breach the broadcasting code. They wrote in their opinion that "the comment was clearly presented as a joke intended to make light of the reactions that some parents may have if their child chooses a toy that is very widely recognised to be designed and marketed for the opposite sex" and that the nature of the joke and tone and manner in which it was presented "made clear that it was not intended to be hostile or pejorative towards thegay community in general."[96]Stonewall criticised the ruling; saying "the fact that a comment is light-hearted does not absolve it from perpetuating the stereotypes that lead to homophobic bullying."[98]
On 1 March 2014Loncon 3, the 72ndWorld Science Fiction Convention, announced that Ross would be theMaster of Ceremonies for the 2014Hugo Awards ceremony, to be held in August atExCeL London. This generated angry criticism from members ofscience fiction fandom who objected to the idea, citing Ross's record of controversial statements and actions. Convention committee memberFarah Mendlesohn strongly objected to the choice of Ross as MC, and resigned when the Loncon 3Co-Chairs would not reconsider the choice, writing (in part), '[Ross] is a man who has made a fortune (6 million a year at one point) from abusing others—particularly women—live on air.' He publicly withdrew as MC not long after the announcement, tweeting 'I have decided to withdraw from hosting the Hugo's @loncon3 in response to some who would rather I weren't there. Have a lovely convention.'[99]
| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–1988 | The Last Resort | Presenter | Channel 4 |
| 1988–1989 | The Incredibly Strange Film Show | Presenter | |
| 1989–90 | One Hour with Jonathan Ross | Presenter | |
| 1990–1991 | Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only | Presenter | |
| 1990–92 | Tonight With Jonathan Ross | Presenter | |
| 1991–2007, 2009–2014 | British Comedy Awards | Presenter | |
| 1992 | Americana | Co-presenter | |
| 1993 | Saturday Zoo | Presenter | |
| 1994 | Gagtag | Presenter | BBC One |
| 1995 | Mondo Rosso | Presenter | BBC Two |
| In Search of James Bond with Jonathan Ross | Presenter | ITV | |
| In Search of Dracula with Jonathan Ross | Presenter | ||
| 1996 | The Late Jonathan Ross | Presenter | |
| 1996–1997 | The Big Big Talent Show | Presenter | ITV |
| 1997 | In Search of Hamlet | Presenter | |
| 1998–2005 | They Think It's All Over | Regular panellist | BBC One |
| 1999–2002 | It's Only TV...but I Like It | Presenter | |
| 1999–2010 | Film... | Presenter | |
| 2001–2007 | The Hollywood Greats | Presenter | |
| 2001–2010 | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross | Presenter | |
| 2001–2013, 2017 | Comic Relief | Co-presenter | |
| 2002–2007 | Japanorama | Presenter | BBC Choice BBC Three |
| 2004 | Britain's Best Sitcom | Presenter | BBC Two |
| 2006 | Jonathan Ross' Asian Invasion | Presenter | BBC Four |
| 2007 | Comics Britannia | Presenter | |
| In Search of Steve Ditko | Presenter | ||
| 2008 | Jonathan Ross Salutes Dad's Army | Presenter | BBC One |
| 2009 | David Lean in Close-Up | Presenter | |
| 2010 | 100 Greatest Toys | Presenter | Channel 4 |
| 2011, 2015 | Penn & Teller: Fool Us | Presenter | ITV (series 1) The CW (series 2) |
| 2011–present | The Jonathan Ross Show | Presenter | ITV |
| 2013 | Celebrity Deal or No Deal | Contestant, won £20,000 | Channel 4 |
| 2015 | James Bond's Spectre with Jonathan Ross | Presenter | ITV |
| 2017 | Don't Ask Me Ask Britain | Team captain | |
| Guess the Star | Presenter | ||
| 2017–2018 | Takeshi's Castle | Voiceover | Comedy Central UK |
| 2018–2019 | Roast Battle | Judge; series 2–3 | |
| 2018,2020 | The Big Narstie Show | Guest, Season 1, Episode 6, Season 3 Episode 6 | Channel 4 |
| 2020 | Jonathan Ross's Comedy Club[100][101] | Presenter | ITV |
| 2020–present | The Masked Singer UK | Judge[102] | |
| 2021 | Celebrity Gogglebox | Cast Member | |
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2021[103] | Contestant | ||
| 2021–present | The Masked Dancer UK | Judge[61] | |
| 2022 | 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown[104] | Guest team captain | Channel 4 |
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year[105] | Panelist (withRose Matafeo) | ||
| Jonathan Ross' New Year Comedy Special[106] | Presenter | ITV | |
| 2023 | Jonathan Ross: Must-Watch Films[107] | Presenter | ITVX |
| Myths and Legends with Jonathan Ross[108] | Presenter | More4 | |
| Big Zuu's Big Eats[109] | Guest | Dave | |
| Britain Get Singing[110] | Judge | ITV | |
| 2024 | Oscars Live[111] | Host |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | It Ain't Half Hot Mum | Soldier | Episode: "The Last Roll Call" |
| 1990 | Your Cheatin' Heart | Himself | Episode: "This Could Turn Septic On Us, Ya Big Ungrateful Midden" |
| 1993 | French and Saunders | Johnny Carson | Episode: "The Silence of the Lambs" |
| 2000 | Jonathan Creek | Himself | Episode: "The Three Gamblers" |
| 2001 | Happiness | Himself | Episode: "Celebration" |
| Rex the Runt | Awards Announcer / Handsome Rex (voice) | 2 episodes | |
| Only Fools and Horses | Himself | Episode: "If They Could See Us Now.....!" | |
| 2003–2004 | Bo' Selecta! | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive | Himself | Episode: "1.1" |
| 2006–2007 | Extras | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Legends & Lies | James Pettigrew | Episode: "Gettysburg: The High Water Mark" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Breaking Glass | Extra | Uncredited |
| 1981 | Rise and Fall of Idi Amin | Israeli Soldier | Uncredited |
| 1989 | The Tall Guy | Himself | |
| 1994 | There's No Business... | Himself | |
| 1997 | Pervirella | Bish Archop | |
| Spice World | Himself | ||
| 2004 | Shrek 2 | Doris the Ugly Stepsister | UK dub |
| 2005 | Valiant | Big Thug (voice) |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Kellogg'sRice Krispies | Himself |
| Persil | Himself | |
| 1990 | Harp Lager | Himself |
| 1992 | IBM 486 Computer | Himself, voice only |
| 1996 | The Sun/Woolworths | Himself |
| 1997 | Pizza Hut | Himself |
| Austin Powers cinema release | Himself, voice only | |
| 1998 | The Full Monty home video | Himself, voice only |
| Sure for Men | Himself | |
| 1999 | ONdigital | Himself |
| 2000 | Fish4 | Himself, voice only |
| Milk Marketing Board | Himself, voice only | |
| TVTimes | Himself, voice only | |
| 2001 | Nestle Polo Smoothies | Himself, voice only |
| 2008 | WHSmith Half Price Books Offer | Himself, voice only |
| 2010 | Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary | Himself |
| 2012 | Sky+ | Himself |
| Year | Video game | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Halo 3 | Additional Voices | Uncredited |
| 2010 | Fable III | Barry Hatch | |
| 2013 | Catcha Catcha Aliens! | Main Character | iOS game. Made by Ross's own company. |
| 2019 | The Bradwell Conspiracy | Narrator | Voice only |
| Year | Show | Episode | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Phineas and Ferb | Tri-State Area: Boot of Secrets (Season 3) | TheDucky MoMo guy (cameo) |
Will there be a day in the future when the human race as we know it will cease to exist? Maybe we will destroy ourselves leaving the planet to the animals that survive. Possibly we could create our replacements as many Sci-Fi movies depict. Or could the inheritor of our planet be from out of this world? Who will inherit the Earth?
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)
| Preceded by | NFTS Honorary Fellowship 2011 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
