Jonathan Ross, the ever-charismatic television presenter and talk show host, has returned to the spotlight in a flurry of activity, capturing the attention of viewers across the UK on Saturday, February 7, 2026. With a career spanning decades and a reputation for lively interviews and eclectic guests, Ross’s presence on the small screen remains as magnetic as ever. This weekend, he not only resumed hosting duties for the 23rd series of The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV1, but also made memorable appearances on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and The Masked Singer, making it a true Ross-a-thon for fans.
The main event of the evening was the much-anticipated return of The Jonathan Ross Show, which aired at 9:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. According to Yorkshire Evening Post, the line-up for this opening episode was nothing short of star-studded. Guests included actors Hugh Bonneville and Riz Ahmed, England rugby union player Ellie Kildunne MBE, comedian Harriet Kemsley, and singer-songwriter Jason Derulo. This impressive roster set the tone for what promises to be an engaging new series, continuing a tradition that began in 2011 after Ross’s move from the BBC to ITV.
Hugh Bonneville, best known for his role in Downton Abbey, reflected on the end of the beloved period drama, sharing, “Certainly not with our cast. But the castle still stands, so who knows? Maybe there’ll be one set in 2060?” He added, “None of us thought it would last beyond the seven episodes that were originally commissioned. Period dramas were dead, we were told. You never know how it’s going to turn out. We ended up doing whatever it was, 52 episodes and three films over 15 years.” Bonneville described the final film as “a nice farewell,” but left the door open for future imaginings.
Ellie Kildunne, fresh from England’s women’s Rugby World Cup victory in 2025, brought her infectious energy to the show. She told Ross, “I’m telling you now - we never played our best game of rugby in that World Cup and we still won it - we’re going to take over the world, if we haven’t already done it. We’re going to take it even further and personally I’m going to keep on pushing to be the best player.” Her determination resonated with viewers, many of whom remember her pivotal contributions to the team’s triumph.
Comedian Harriet Kemsley, another guest on the show, is enjoying a meteoric rise in the comedy world. As reported by Beyond the Joke, Kemsley recently appeared on the first season of Last One Laughing UK on Amazon Prime, where her quick wit and infectious laughter made her a standout, even if she was knocked out early. She also took part in the Clash of the Comics wrestling show at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith in 2025, an event later broadcast on U and U&Dave. Kemsley co-hosts the podcast Single Ladies In Your Area with fellow comedian Amy Gledhill and has made appearances on numerous panel shows, cementing her status as one to watch. On The Jonathan Ross Show, her unfiltered humor and candid stories delighted both the studio audience and viewers at home.
Ross’s busy Saturday didn’t end there. Earlier in the evening, he featured on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show on BBC One, which aired from 6:45pm to 7:45pm. The highlight was the Midnight Gameshow segment, where McIntyre, dressed as Darth Vader and wielding a lightsaber, surprised a sleeping Ross in his bedroom. According to Manchester Evening News, the segment caused quite a stir—not just because of the comedic antics, but due to the unique décor and sheer size of Ross’s bed. The bed boasted a vast padded headboard stretching up to the ceiling and even had a TV that played at the foot of the bed. Social media lit up with reactions, with one user posting, “What’s going on with Jonathan Ross’ bed?” and another quipping, “Doesn’t look like Jonathan Ross has a bedside table either.” Some viewers found the room outlandish, while others thought it was exactly what they’d expect from someone as flamboyant as Ross.
Ross took the good-natured ribbing in stride, joking that he hoped his wife, Jane Goldman, would have declined if asked about his participation. The couple, married since August 1988, share three adult children: Betty Kitten, Harvey, and Honey. The family’s close bond was on display recently on the podcast Reel Talk, which Ross co-hosts with daughter Honey. On the February 6, 2026 episode, Ross opened up about the emotional impact of parenthood, recounting how he once left the cinema during the film The Player after becoming a father for the first time. “I remember when I had my first, your sibling (Honey’s older sister Betty), I remember I went to see The Player. It was the first film I saw and I had to leave because there’s a scene when there’s a quite unpleasant murder that takes place and it feels quite real. And I thought: ‘I can’t bring a child into the world, what have I done?’ I had to leave the cinema.”
This candid revelation struck a chord with listeners, especially those navigating the emotional landscape of new parenthood. Honey added that several friends with children had avoided watching the film Hamnet for fear it would be too emotionally overwhelming—a sentiment many parents can relate to. The family’s openness and humor are part of what has made Ross’s podcast a hit with audiences seeking both entertainment and honest conversation.
Ross’s recent television appearances also included a stint as a judge on The Masked Singer from 7pm to 8:30pm on ITV, where he joined fellow judges Davina McCall and Maya Jama in guessing the identities of the show’s costumed performers. And let’s not forget his participation in the inaugural series of The Celebrity Traitors in 2025, where he played the role of a Traitor and was expelled in the seventh episode. The show, which featured a star-studded cast including Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Paloma Faith, and eventual champion Alan Carr, introduced Ross to a new fanbase and showcased his competitive spirit.
With such a packed schedule, it’s clear that Jonathan Ross remains a fixture of British entertainment, balancing family life, a thriving television career, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected—whether it’s a surprise visit from Darth Vader or an emotional moment on a podcast. As he launches the latest series of his eponymous talk show, viewers can expect more laughter, heartfelt conversations, and the kind of unpredictability that has defined his career for over three decades.
Ross’s multifaceted weekend reminds us that, in the world of television, some personalities never lose their shine—they simply find new ways to dazzle their audience.