Top 10 Jonathan Ross Moments

Top 10 Jonathan Ross moments

He’s chat show royalty, and an all-round entertainer. Welcome to WatchMojo UK, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Jonathan Ross moments.

For this list, we’re looking at the presenter and comedian’s most memorable moments from television chat shows, game shows, radio shows and more.

#10: Pronouncing his R’s
“8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown” (2012-)

Ross’ rhotacism – or his inability to pronounce the ‘R’ sound – has become a recognisable part of his high-profile persona. But, rather than try and hide his famous speech impediment, he embraces it – and has actually been billed as an inspiration for anyone experiencing a similar issue. Here, despite Jimmy Carr’s lead in joke made at his expense, the presenter turned “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown” panellist takes it all in his stride.

#9: QI King
“QI” (2003-)

Jonathan Ross isn’t yet a regular on this ‘Quite Interesting’ comedy panel show, but he did make his debut for a “Children in Need” Special in 2006 – and it turns out that he was bloody good at it. Despite carving a career out of playing the fool, he unleashes all sorts of pop culture know-how, proving that he’s a far cleverer guy than most may give him credit for. His well-informed ramblings about the origins of Wonder Woman certainly wowed Stephen Fry, Alan Davies and everyone else watching at home, anyway!

#8: Interviewing Pete Doherty
“Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” (2001-10)

In a rare TV outing, Libertines frontman Pete Doherty appeared on “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” back in 2006 – for what’s often listed as one of Ross’ finest ever interviews. Doherty and Ross talked sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll – with Ross even managing to make Doherty open up about his then-relationship with the supermodel, Kate Moss. Concluding with Pete presenting the host with a drawing of himself, the entire chat seemed to unearth a different – and until-then unseen – side to the controversial musician.

#7: The Wibbly Wobbly Board
“Celebrity Juice” (2008-)

Keith Lemon and co. are always up for some off the wall hilarity. So, when Ross rocked up on “Celebrity Juice” in 2018, they really shook things up. On his back, on a vibrating board, on the nose of his own enlarged face, Ross must try to describe a series of words for his team… And he gives it an admirable effort. He’s not the only one to try it out either, with Lucy Fallon following suit – all while Ross retains a boiled egg in his mouth. As you do.

#6: Interviewing Ross Noble
“Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” (2001-10)

Some interviews play out as expected. And some don’t. When Jonathan Ross met Ross Noble in 2010, he was in the midst of his final series with the BBC, before making the switch to ITV the following year. But his chat with Noble proved more hands on than most, with the pair wrestling each other all over the set at one stage. With the likes of Gary Lineker and Tinie Tempah watching on from the green room, it all got quite out of hand.

#5: The Card Trick
“Derren Brown: Trick of the Mind” (2004-06)

As Britain’s premier prime-time illusionist, Derren Brown has hoaxed, hoodwinked and generally amazed plenty of celebs in his time. Here, it’s the turn of Ross and his wife Jane Goldman. The pair partake in a modest set-up, with just three people, one table and two decks of cards. But Brown hikes up the tension by telling a couple of stories, both with a running theme of ‘coincidence’. Of course, the whole performance is gearing up to the big reveal at the end – leaving Jonathan and Jane lost for words.

#4: Pugs at the Party
“The Big Fat Quiz of Everything” (2016-)

Jonathan’s a regular on “The Big Fat Quiz”, and he usually provokes his fair share of chaos. In this 2018 edition, he rattles through the questions in typically unruly fashion – taking aim at the host Jimmy Carr on more than one occasion. But the stand-out moment comes when he heads back stage, only to re-emerge with both his pugs as surprise guests. For a giddy few minutes, the dogs steal all the attention away from the comics themselves, with Miranda Hart getting into particular trouble!

#3: ‘I Have Never’ with One Direction
“The Jonathan Ross Show” (2011-)

With one of the world’s most popular boybands appearing on his show in 2015, it was all eyes on Jonathan to see if he could uncover any One Direction revelations. So, in appropriately subtle fashion, he settles on a quick game of ‘I Have Never’, with Michael McIntyre taking part, too. Ross ups the ante with every passing question – with ‘nakedness’ seeming a recurring theme – until he reaches an even riskier line of interrogation. At this point, McIntyre steps in to take the heat off of 1D, but this segment still got the gossip mill going.

#2: Sachsgate
“The Russell Brand Show” (2006-17)

Of course, for all Jonathan’s commendably comic moments, the one-off presenter has attracted his fair share of controversy, too. Not least when he appeared on Russel Brand’s radio show, in 2008. He and Brand made headlines after prank calling the veteran actor Andrew Sachs, to leave a series of answer phone messages relating to Brand’s supposed relationship with Sachs’ granddaughter. Ross earned a suspension from the BBC for his role in the stunt, and his popularity took a pummelling. Clearly his career wasn’t over, but it’s a stand-out moment all the same.

#1: The David Cameron Interview
“Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” (2001-10)

While Ross wasn’tsuspended – or even particularly punished – for this BBC controversy, it’s still arguably his most famous interview. With then-Conservative leader David Cameron on the show, we might’ve expected a slightly safer approach from the often-outrageous presenter. But, no. Instead, Ross asks the all-important questions that we all apparently need answers for, making an especially infamous inquiry about Margaret Thatcher… And Cameron’s feelings for her. Politicians are usually criticised for deflecting awkward questions, but you can hardly blame him here.