Jonathan Pearce

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Jonathan Pearce

Born	Jonathan Pearce 1959 (age 48–49)
Residence	Hassocks, West Sussex
Nationality	England
Occupation	Football commentator
Employers	BBC

Jonathan Pearce (born 1959), is a British football commentator for the BBC. Known for his loud, exuberant commentaries, he has worked for both Radio Five Live and Match of the Day, as well as participating in other lower key sports programmes.

Pearce wanted to become a footballer, but his career was ended after sustaining a serious leg injury.^[1]

He started his career in broadcasting at BBC Radio Bristol, and his first match commentary was Bristol Rovers against Exeter City in the League Cup.^[2] He became a Sports Editor at the age of 23. In 1987 he moved to London and Capital Radio where he launched Capital Gold Sport a year later.^[3]

When Five was launched in 1997, Pearce was signed as their lead football commentator. His excitable style of commentary received criticism from some quarters.^[4] He joined Radio Five Live in 2002 and was part of their 2002 FIFA World Cup commentary team. He went on to present the station's midweek sports progamme Sport on Five from 2003 until 2005 and became a commentator for BBC television on Match of the Day in 2004.

Pearce has commentated on over 150 England internationals, five World Cups, four European Championships and over 20 Cup Finals. He has won several awards for his work including three Sony awards and the Variety Club Radio Person of the Year. Perhaps his finest hour during his time on commercial radio was his description of a Crystal Palace goal scored by Doogie Freedman. As Freedman wheeled away in celebration, Pearce cried: "He's done it! The Boogie Woogie Doogie Selhurst boy!"

Away from football, he was also the commentator on the program Robot Wars.

Since joining the BBC Match of the Day team in 2004, Pearce has been the second choice commentator to the legendary John Motson. He is regarded as favourite to replace Motson when he eventually decides to call it a day but appears to be rivalled by BBC Match of the Day colleagues Steve Wilson and Guy Mowbray for this accolade.

When not in the commentary box, Pearce often assists other BBC Interviewers in interviewing presenters. From 2002-2003 Pearce also presented 6-0-6 on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Pearce is a long time Bristol City fan.^[5] He lives in Hassocks, West Sussex.

Pearce ran in the 2008 Flora London Marathon. He raised money for The Lily Foundation a charity run by his brother in law in memory of his daughter.