Profile - Jim Rosenthal

Jim Rosenthal is one of the most familiar faces in television sport. He is the face of Formula One on ITV and has presented every Grand Prix since F1 moved to ITV in 1997. His job allows him to travel the globe, but over the years he's become more and more disliked by the viewing public. His constant grinning; the embarrassing lack of eye contact in his interviews; and his apparent lack of interest in the sport all count towards this building hatred of the man. This guy has one of the greatest jobs in the world - he gets to visit amazing countries as well follow the F1. ITV need to replace him with someone who'd appreciate the job - not someone who sits there grinning away at the thought of next weeks soccer coverage...

Rosenthal's started his career as a journalist with the Oxford Mail before working his way up through BBC local and network radio. In 1980, he joined ITV from the BBC, where he became nationally recognised as the voice of BBC Radio’s Sport on Two and Sports Report. Highlights of his career include being named as the Royal Television Society's sports Presenter of the Year in 1997 and 1999 (God knows how) as well as being involved in many other award winning programmes.

Within his television career, he has also presented football, boxing and athletics, plus other minor sports. Jim was ITV’s main presenter for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, having worked on the broadcaster’s previous two Rugby World Cup’s as the England team reporter. Over the years, Rosenthal has been part of the teams covering World Cup Football and Olympics - he was a main member of the team that travelled to Japan and Korea to cover World Cup 2002 matches.

According to ITV Sport, Jim also has a strong portfolio of corporate work hosting conferences and award ceremonies for clients like Emirates airlines, UEFA and Electronic Arts. He's also apparently done numerous voice-overs for commercials, and appeared as himself in the football dramas 'Renford Rejects' and 'Footballers Wives'.

ITV have recently signed a new contract (worth $266 million) to cover F1 up until the 2010 season... That means we've got six more seasons of grim Jim Rosenthal, then... *sighs*

Royal Television Society (RTS) Sports Awards

2003 - Nominated for best sports presenter (Winner - Clare Balding, BBC TV)
2001 - Rosenthal presented RTS Sports Awards
1999 - Winner, best sports presenter
1998 - Nominated for best sports presenter (Winner - Desmond Lynam, BBC Sport)
1997 - Winner, best sports presenter