Jonathan Ross is a renowned British broadcaster, comedian, talk show host, game show host, film critic, radio DJ, and awards show compere. He is considered the most successful British broadcaster of his generation.
Ross attended the School of Slavonic and East European Studies in London, where he gained a Modern European History degree. He began his career as a researcher on Channel Four in the 1980s, before becoming a presenter for the first time in January 1987 on the channel's series "The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross".
Ross's presentation style was a departure from the conventional, comforting, and polite British broadcasters of the time. Instead, he drew inspiration from the fast-witted and irreverent style of American talk show hosts, particularly David Letterman.
Although "The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross" had a short life, it established him as a major draw for Channel Four and introduced viewers to his trademark irreverent humor and distinctive speech impediment.
The 1990s were a period of growing success for Ross. He was chosen by the BBC to replace Barry Norman as the host of "Film '72", and he left Virgin Radio to start his popular Radio 2 show.
In 2001, he landed his own chat show on BBC One, "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross". He has also hosted several awards shows, including the British Comedy Awards and the National Television Awards.
Ross has been the winner of numerous awards, including several Sony Radio Academy Awards and a BAFTA TV Award. He was awarded the OBE for services to broadcasting in 2005.
However, Ross has also been the subject of controversy, with some critics accusing him of being the spearhead for a general decline in British television standards. He has been at the center of several controversies due to his irreverent style, and has been reprimanded by the BBC and the Broadcasting Standards Commission.
Despite this, Ross remains one of the most popular and successful broadcasters in the UK, with a reputation for his quick wit and ability to transform even the most mundane thoughts into entertaining broadcasting.
