| Matt Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | Matthew Roberts 5 November 1977 |
| Nationality | English |
| Education | All Saints High School |
| Occupation | Television presenter |
| Known for | BBC Moto GP & Columnist |
Matthew "Matt" Roberts (born 5 November 1977[1]) is an English television presenter, best known for work on BBC Sport's Moto GP coverage.
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Roberts attended All Saints High School in Huddersfield as well Greenhead College and Huddersfield University.
Roberts has been working in MotoGP since 2001, initially as a writer and then as a commentator. Since 2005 he has expanded his portfolio within the paddock, producing press material for several teams and contributing articles to publications in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and the USA.
Roberts worked as a pit-lane reporter at Moto GP races for BBC Sport in 2008 before becoming the main presenter for some rounds in 2009.
In 2009 Roberts shared Moto GP presenting duties with Suzi Perry who presented the European rounds, but Roberts took over for all rounds outside Europe. When handed the responsibility Roberts said "It's a bit different to pit-lane reporting. If I'm interviewing someone or talking to Suzi from the pit-lane then I'm not really thinking about the camera, but with presenting I'm talking straight to it and the people back home and I'm a bit nervous about that."
In 2010 Jennie Gow replaced Perry as the main presenter with Roberts reverting to pit-lane duties, and no longer presenting part time.[2][3]
In February 2011, it was confirmed that Roberts would replace the departed Gow as fulltime main presenter. His former job in the pitlane will be taken by Azi Farni.[4]
In 2010 Roberts hosted BBC Sport's American Football coverage of the NFL play-off games.
Roberts lives in the village of Stainland, Calderdale, with his wife Jane, a primary school teacher.
Roberts is a supporter of Huddersfield Town. In a Moto GP preview show Roberts interviewed champion racer Valentino Rossi over a game of table football. "I told Rossi beforehand that I was playing with my dream strike force of Gerrard, Gascoigne and Andy Booth. "He picked up on this and in the interview said that after Ibrahimovic, Andy Booth is the number two striker in the world."[5] Roberts plays local football for Heywoods Irish Center.