Richard Jones

My book Reporting the Courts is out this week, published by @routledgebooks. It’s full of new research into the past, present and future of how the media covers the courts in the UK. Let's dive in! 🧵

@Nick_Metcalfe A sad but telling statistic: Martin Offiah remains the only rugby league player ever to be on Strictly Come Dancing (rugby union has had eight). Even Ellery only made Dancing On Ice.

I've been asked to write a few pars of rugby league copy. I really am the best person for the job. Ellery Hanley is still the big name in that sport, isn't he?

@Nick_Metcalfe On a recent visit to the BBC archives I found an internal report with estimated viewing figures for the major TV sports events of 1951. The Boat Race was a close second behind the FA Cup final.

The Boat Race will not be on BBC TV or radio this year. An event totally synonymous with the corporation for the last century. Channel 4 will show the event on television, while Times Radio will also broadcast the famous races on April 4.

The middle presentation was by the indomitable @rlwjones, who illustrated how cricket’s place in the sports news agenda has been declining @SalfordUni #CRN2026 @BBCSport @SkyCricket @bbctms @bestcricstories @TheCricketerMag @crickether

@Nick_Metcalfe I was in the BBC Written Archives last week and found a list of how much everyone on Grandstand was getting paid in 1964. Coleman got 105 guineas for hosting (£2.5k today). When Harry Carpenter stood in, he was on a fifth of that. Less than Len Martin for reading the results!

David Coleman was a wonderful broadcaster Mike, you're right. The face and voice of sport on British television for decades. He was pure gravitas. I wrote about him in my Voices of Sport series for Yahoo: uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/voices-of…

@Nick_Metcalfe I wouldn't say my stream is slow but I've just seen Konrad Bartelski in the men's downhill.

Is the iPlayer working ok for everyone else for watching the Winter Olympics? I don’t think I’m getting the most up to date coverage on mine.

And if you prefer Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3bsOTS…

Here's the full interview: youtube.com/watch?v=-FA73s…

I'm this week's guest on the @MediaCityUK podcast with @stephenmchapman. We discuss my expanded role @SalfordUni, the future of journalism, my research into sports media and court reporting, Andy Burnham and whisky🥃

@Nick_Metcalfe Bowls was the featured sport on the last ever edition of Grandstand!

I've taken a lot of pleasure from the World Bowls Championship this week. Credit to you lot actually. I thought you'd be sneering about it, but it seems you're enjoying it too. Should be a regular TV sport if we're honest. Indoor and Crown Green.

@mikelawrencetv @Nick_Metcalfe Yes, one of the very best!

@rlwjones @Nick_Metcalfe Ah interesting - thanks Richard! Hazel is a broadcasting legend.

Ah this is glorious Nick, thank you. Social media has its detractors - and much of what they say is fair - but many of us remember a world where it wouldn't have been possible for Nick Owen to send Nick Metcalfe a picture of the ITV/Channel 4 1988 Olympics team. #Olympics88

@Nick_Metcalfe I briefly mistook Elton Welsby for Paul Coia then.

@mikelawrencetv @Nick_Metcalfe Yes, in her pre-BBC days she was also on STV's Scotsport with Jim White, and hosted early women's football coverage on Channel 4.

@Nick_Metcalfe Lovely photo - I never knew Hazel had worked for the other side.

Happy new year to everyone except those of you who link arms at the wrong bit of Auld Lang Syne.

@cmckennasport @BBCSport Great piece, Chris.

Some at the top will tell you boxing is booming but drop down a level and it is a sport which is struggling. That will mean bad news for the top down the line. Spoke with those involved on the small hall scene for a piece on @BBCSport bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a…

Birmingham Bullring wishes all its patrons a very Merry Aptio Setup Utility and a Happy New BIOS Information ✨

@SPFLWatch Actually I've got it: they were all at the 1994 World Cup draw. Faye Dunaway hosted it, Holyfield and Andretti took part and Archie was commentating for Eurosport.

@SPFLWatch Is this something to do with the LA Olympics?

What do Faye Dunaway, Mario Andretti, Evander Holyfield and Archie McPherson have in common?

Final Score: The Sports Chosen for Broadcast on the BBC’s Grandstand Richard Jones @IJHSofficial Vol42:4 2025 tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…

Here we are at this month’s @MCRWhiskyClub with a guest tasting from indie bottlers The Heart Cut. 🥃