Jonathan Maitland
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Jonathan Maitland is a broadcaster , writer and author . He has presented various TV shows including the BBC's Watchdog, and House Of Horrors, The Man In The Van and Vote For Me , all on ITV . He currently presents the ITV1 flagship current affairs show Tonight. Previously he reported for BBC Radio 4's Today programme from 1988 - 94 and BBC Radio Bristol from 1986-8.Before that he was a reporter on a local freesheet, The Sutton Guardian.
He holds a law degree from King's College London and has written five books including 'How to Make your Million from the Internet ( and what to if you don't)' , which detailed his attempt to make a million from the dot com boom by mortgaging his house for 50,000 pounds. He failed. His latest book is 'How to Survive your Mother' which describes his unconventional childhood in suburban Surrey . His mother turned the family home into a hotel for homosexuals when he was 13, simultaneously announcing that she had six months to live. The film rights have been bought by ITV .
Maitland also performed with a wedding band , Surf N Turf. In 2002, the group performed Maitland's brother's composition I Give In in the A Song For Europe contest, hoping to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. They lost to the eventual winner Jessica Garlick.
Maitland made his name in the 90s with establishment baiting reports on Watchdog. In one short film he poked fun at golf club dress codes . This involved him donning deer antlers and a leather mini skirt . He then played on one of London's most exclusive courses before being thrown off . Afterwards the BBC received letters from irate golfers , one man threatening to wrap my clubs around his head
Maitland has dabbled in comedy . He co-wrote a song about BSE with satirist Chris Morris for Radio 4 , rewrote the lyrics to ``American Pie`` for Rory Bremner and created a sketch about Brian May for Alastair McGowan.
He likes cricket, golf , curry and Scrabble and lives in Chiswick , west London.
