TV'S GETHIN: MY RUGBY PASSION

TV PRESENTER Gethin Jones has landed a major new BBC job - co-hosting hit quiz show Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong.

- PATRICK AUSTEN-HARDY

The Morning Live presenter will be one of a few well-known faces to take on the role previously held by Richard Osman when the new series airs in the coming weeks, with Angela Rippon, Trevor Nelson, Judi Love, Tom Allen and Angela Scanlon also appearing.

Jones, from Cardiff, said: “It's become one of the most famous chairs on television, and I've always wanted to know what is actually on that laptop! It’s the perfect scenario, playing along but knowing all the answers... or least the best of the right answers! I will be excellent at Welsh pronunciations; Alexander will have the rest covered.”

While Jones’ TV career is going from strength to strength, he actually has a little-known sporting past as a rugby player that almost led him down avery different path.

Indeed, when it comes to any quiz questions on the sport, he's likely to already know all the answers.

“Twas always a bit of a rugby statto, Iprobably still am a bit ofa rugby anorak’’ he told Rugby Journal.

“T used to love getting all the old programmes and learning all the heights and weights of the players and regurgitating them to friends. I’ve no idea why! I'm an absolute nause, I've got some rugby-player friends and they avoid me when I start talking about stats and stuff to them when they're the ones actually living the game.”

He will also take on a new sporting role next year after being called up to be part of Team Wales at the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Jones’ personal life has also made headlines over the years, with a rumoured relationship with co-presenter Helen Skelton recently the subject of headlines. He was also famously engaged to Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins.