Jonathan started out his career on Channel 4's Loose Talk as a mere researcher! He moved onto documentaries and Soul Train where he met Alan Marke his partner in 'The Last Resort' and private production company. An unlikely TV presenter because of his trade mark lisp, Ross started his presenting career in 1987 on Channel X. A million miles from traditional chat shows, his show became an instant hit and Channel 4 commissioned more series. Simultaneously Jonathan's radio career took off after he stepped in for Janice Long on Radio 1 for a couple of weeks. Next up came a show on Branson's radio and regular stints on Radio 4's Loose Ends. By 1998 he and Chris Evans launched The Jonathan Ross Show on Virgin.

TV icon
Despite or rather thanks to his speech impediment Jonathan's career skyrocketed. Early shows like The Incredibly Strange Film Show in 1988 were followed by One Hour with Jonathan Ross two years later, For One Week Only and Tonight With Jonathan Ross. He also presented Saturday Zoo, Gag Tag with Frank Skinner and The Big Big Talent Show well before Popstars ever came about! Jonathan was also entrusted to present the British Comedy Awards from 1991 and became Barry Norman's successor in 1999. Today, the eccentric presenter hosts his own chat show on BBC1 and popular game show It's Only TV... But I Like It.

Awards aplenty
In May 2003 Jonathan scooped two Sony Awards for both radio and TV work winning Best Entertainment Presenter and a special award for achievements over the year 2002. In 2004 and 2005 Jonathan won the prestigious Television and Radio Industries Club awards for Best Radio/Digital Radio Personality of the Year beating Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine hands down. What's more: in June 2005 royal recognition came knocking when he became an 'Officer of the Order of the British Empire' or OBE. He was also voted the most powerful man in broadcasting this year.

Behind closed doors
Wossy, as he's nicknamed lives in North London with his wife sometime TV presenter, sometime author and paranormal investigator, the flame-haired Jane Goldman and their three children: Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney. They share their home with an interesting selection of pets including a dog, cat, iguana, two salamanders, 2 chinchillas and a number of ferrets!

Paul is Jonathan and Jonathan is Paul
He is the brother of Paul Ross. The two brothers were actually given each other's names by their parents - Jonathan is actually Paul and Paul is actually Jonathan - but the siblings swapped names early in life. How confused did the parents get?

Did you know?

He was the original choice to host TFI Friday.

He was voted Sexiest Male Voice on Radio in a Trojan Condoms poll.

Jonathan lent his voice to the Ugly Stepsister in Shrek 2's English version while Larry King took the part in the US version.