Jonathan Ross
- Profession: Television and radio presenter
- Place/Date of Birth: Leytonstone, 17 November 2020
The remark - during BBC One’s Friday Night With Jonathan Ross programme - has attracted more than 60 complaints, according to a report on the BBC website.
However, a spokesman said the comment wasn’t out of character, adding that the star was "well-known for his irreverent approach".
Has Wossy finally gone too far?
Jonathan Ross’ salary under fire - Sept 15, 2020
One of the BBC’s own reporters has attacked the "obscene" £18 million pay deal given to presenter Jonathan Ross. Theo Leggett, the Corporation’s Brussels-based Europe business reporter, slammed bosses for wooing the chat show host at a time of swingeing job cuts.
Wossy recently signed a reported £18 million three-year golden handcuffs deal. In a letter to the BBC’s in-house magazine Ariel, the reporter said: "At a time when managers are culling staff in the name of ’value for money’, it is little short of obscene that a single performer, however talented, can earn (a reported) £6 million a year.
"Over the past 18 months, management have been trying to close 330 posts in news alone in order to save cash. "The implication here is clear: the BBC is willing to compromise its news operation in order to secure the services of one supposed ratings-grabber. I’m not sure that’s what public service broadcasting is supposed to be about."
And Jonathan is not the only well-paid star - a series of leaks earlier this year claimed that Jeremy Paxman is paid £940,000 a year, Sir Terry Wogan gets £800,000 a year and Chris Moyles pockets an annual £630,000.
Graham Norton signed a new three-year deal last month reported to be worth £5 million, while Little Britain’s David Walliams and Matt Lucas are said to be picking up £6 million.
Responding to Leggett’s remarks, a BBC spokesman said: "Presenters’ salaries need to be set against our audience’s firm view that they expect the BBC to provide them with the best talent, not necessarily the cheapest talent."
Jonathan Loves Charlotte - September 2006
Jonathan Ross is an honest sort of a chap. So it was no surprise when he decided that rather than stick it to new chat show rival Charlotte Church he praised her for a very good first show. "I watched it and thought it was a good show. I think it is a show that’s going to grow. I don’t think it was the finished product. She is so confident and so likeable that it’s hard not to think that she’ll not have a long career on TV if she wants to," he said.
Rachel Hunter - man - Apr 05
Jonathan Ross has stuck the knife in to Rachel Hunter. The controversial chat show host slammed the model during his Radio 2 show, saying "who died and made Rachel Hunter a model? If I drag up I look more attractive!" He went on to wonder if Rod Stewart had glaucoma when he got together with her.
Ross V Parky - August 04
Jonathan Ross and Michael Parkinson are battling it out with top guests. Ross has managed quite a coup for his new series, securing screen legend Paul Newman for a future show. However, Parky has come back with a rare interview with Tom Cruise for his new ITV show turning up the heat on Ross’ producers who are digging around for further rare appearances.
Ross wins radio ’Oscars’ - 09/05/04
Hampstead based media personality Jonathan Ross is celebrating a double win at the radio equivalent of the Oscars...
Helena Bonham Carter
Hugh Laurie
Rachel Weisz
Faces in Fashion
Ricci Stoene
Sadie Frost
Musicians
DJ Jon Carter
Graham Coxon
Ms Dynamite
Writers & Artists
Amanda Craig
Features
Celeb Rehab
Keeping up with the WAGs...
Profiles: Film
Angelina Jolie
Keira Knightley
Tom Cruise
Profiles: Music
Britney Spears
Kylie Minogue
Madonna
Profiles: Fashion
Kate Moss
Naomi Campbell
Victoria Beckham
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He began his career in television as a researcher but in 1987 made his mark with The Last Resort With Jonathan Ross, a late night chat show. Over the years he became increasingly popular, hosting Comic Relief, It’s Only TV But I Like It and appearing on They Think It’s All Over.
In 1999 he took over from Barry Norman as the face of Film (insert year here), which allowed him to indulge his love of the big screen and, in particular, Far Eastern cinema. Having previously hosted shows on Virgin and Radio One he is now a regular presenter on Radio Two and was voted as having the Sexiest Male Voice in a survey by Trojan Condoms, despite having a rhotacism (meaning he pronounces an R as W). His controversial BBC salary also covers Ross’ own TV show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.
Jonathan is married to fellow TV presenter and journalist Jane Goldman, they were hitched in 1988 when Jane was just eighteen. They have three children, Betty Kitty, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney and live in London with several bizarre pets, inlcuding sheep and lizards.
December 2007