Last updated April 2008
Category: Sport
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A veteran of almost 1,800 games, John has
commentated on a spectacular 50 major finals.
John's charisma and his ability to keep people
on the BBC
listening has led to "Motty" being described as
"an institution".
The son of a Methodist minister, John joined
the Barnet Press newspaper as a junior
reporter. A short freelance spell with BBC
Radio Sheffield was followed by a switch to
network radio in 1968, where he made his
name as a sports presenter.
John became a junior member of the
Match Of The Day staff in 1971, following the
departure of Kenneth Wolstenholme, and
soon became one of its key commentators.
Since 1979, he has been the BBC's main TV
commentator for major cup finals – FA Cup,
World Cup and European Championship.
During the 2002 World Cup, John lent his
name and image to "Mini Motty", an internet
pop-up toy specially created by BBC Sport
Online.
John was named the Royal Television Society's
Sports Commentator of the Year in 2004 and
received the same honour from Four Four
Two in 2005 and from The Variety Club, FHM
and Zoo in 2006.
John has also narrated more than 30 football videos
and published a number of books, including
most recently Motson's World Cup
Extravaganza.
John received his OBE in June
2001 for services to sports broadcasting.
John's hobbies and interests include running
half-marathons, racing, the cinema and reading
thrillers.
