Jonathan Pearce

Jonathan Mark Pearce (born 23 December 1959) is an English sports commentator on football for many radio and TV stations including the BBC and TNT Sports. His career in sports commentating includes spells at BBC Radio Bristol (1980–1983), Radio West Bristol (1983–1984), Southern Sound Radio, Radio West/GWR Bristol (1984–1986), BBC Radio 2 Local Radio Network London (1986–1987), Capital Radio, Capital Gold Sports (1987–), The Footballers Football Show (1991–1993); Sky TV (1991–97); Granada Talk TV (1996–1997); Channel 5 (1997–2004), BBC Radio 5 Live (2002–present); London Weekend Television (1997), and Match of the Day (2004 to present) and TNT Sports (2013–present).

Early life Pearce was born, six weeks premature, on 23 December 1959, in Plymouth, Devon. In his first four years, he was raised in Wadebridge, Cornwall, As a second year undergraduate, he secured a commentating job with BBC Radio Bristol.

Career His broadcasting career began at BBC Radio Bristol (1980–1983), He joined Radio West Bristol (1983–1984), on Capital Gold, in collusion with six London clubs.

He was a presenter for Sky TV's The Footballers Football Show (1991–1993);

Channel 5, BBC and BT Sport When Channel 5 (known as Five for some time) was launched in 1997, Pearce was signed as their lead football commentator. He joined BBC Radio 5 Live in 2002, and was part of their 2002 FIFA World Cup commentary team. He presented the station's midweek sports programme, Sport on Five, from 2003 until 2005 and became a commentator for BBC television on Match of the Day from 2004 to present.

Pearce joined the BBC's Match of the Day team in 2004.

Pearce is the founding president and now patron of the Lily Foundation, the UK's leading mitochondrial disease charity. The foundation was set up after Pearce's 8-month-old niece died of the disease.

Awards Awards: New York Radio Festival Gold Medal 1990, 1992 and 1999 (Silver Medal 1991, Bronze Medal 1993), Best Sports Prog of the Year Sony Radio Awards 1990 and 1992, Best Sports Commentator Sony Radio Awards 1996, Variety Club Independent Radio Personality of the Year 1996.