Editing Jonathan Agnew (section)

== Media and broadcasting career ==
[[File:Christopher Martin-Jenkins.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Agnew succeeded ''[[Test Match Special]]'' colleague [[Christopher Martin-Jenkins]] as BBC Cricket Correspondent in 1991.|alt= A man in a tweed jacket and a wide-brimmed hat, with his arms crossed holding some papers]]
Agnew began gaining experience as a journalist in 1987, while still playing cricket, when at the invitation of [[John Rawling]] he took off-season employment with [[BBC Radio Leicester]] as a sports producer.<ref name="media"/> It was during this period that he "fell in love with radio",<ref name="media"/> and following his retirement, he had a short stint as chief cricket writer of ''[[Today (UK newspaper)|Today]]'' newspaper.<ref>Agnew. ''Thanks, Johnners''. p. 56</ref> While covering the [[1990–91 Ashes series]] for ''Today'', he was approached by [[Peter Baxter (radio producer)|Peter Baxter]] about joining ''[[Test Match Special]]''.<ref name="p61">Agnew. ''Thanks, Johnners''. p. 61</ref> Unhappy at certain editorial decisions that had been taken during his time with the newspaper, Agnew agreed to attend an interview after the tour.<ref name="p61"/>

Agnew joined Test Match Special in 1991,<ref name=tmsprofile>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/tms/6098364.stm | work = BBC Sport | access-date = 10 November 2011 | title = Jonathan Agnew | date = 30 October 2006 | archive-date = 23 April 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090423223209/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/tms/6098364.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> in time for the first Test match of the summer.<ref>Agnew. ''Thanks, Johnners''. p. 66</ref> He was initially a junior member of the ''Test Match Special'' team, learning at close quarters from figures such as [[Brian Johnston]], [[Henry Blofeld]] and [[Bill Frindall]]. The same year, he was also appointed the [[BBC]]'s cricket correspondent,<ref name=tmsprofile/> taking over from ''Test Match Special'' colleague, [[Christopher Martin-Jenkins]].<ref name="AggersAshes">Agnew. ''Aggers' Ashes'', p. 249</ref> In 2007, when asked which sports journalist he most respected, Martin-Jenkins named Agnew, because he "combines astute journalism with apparently effortless communication skills."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DLvxA8l8e_UC&q=jon+agnew&pg=PA61|title=Sports journalism: a multimedia primer|first=Rob|last=Steen|access-date=3 August 2011|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-39423-9|page=61|date=31 July 2007|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020235602/https://books.google.com/books?id=DLvxA8l8e_UC&q=jon+agnew&pg=PA61|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also commentated for the Australian [[ABC Radio (Australia)|ABC Radio]] network during Ashes series in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/11/22/3073236.htm |title = The 2010/11 Ashes Series |first = Andrea |last = Williamson |date = 22 November 2010 |access-date = 8 February 2012 |publisher = [[ABC Radio (Australia)|ABC radio]] |location = Australia |archive-date = 3 May 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160503173452/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/11/22/3073236.htm |url-status = live }}</ref>

When [[Channel 4]] won the broadcasting rights to television coverage of England's home Test matches in 1998, Agnew was approached by the broadcaster and offered a job on the commentary team.<ref name=page30>Agnew. ''Thanks, Johnners''. p. 30</ref> Agnew declined the opportunity, opting to remain BBC cricket correspondent, in part because he was a "radio man" and in part out of loyalty.<ref name=page30/> The following year, England hosted the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]]. The BBC had the UK television rights, but with so many specialist TV cricket presenters now at Channel 4 and therefore unavailable to the BBC, Agnew was asked to present the coverage.<ref>Agnew. ''Thanks, Johnners''. p. 31</ref> His recollections of the experience are that it was something of a trial, helped only by the experienced [[Richie Benaud]] alongside him:

{{quote|I really had no option but to agree to do it, despite my reservations about working in television. Coming so quickly after my decision to stay on the radio, this was quite an irony. I was given one day of training&nbsp;... [Transmission ended with the presenter being given a countdown] from one minute to zero, at which point you have to say goodbye. I did not find that easy at all&nbsp;... I made a real hash of it after one of the early games&nbsp;... [Richie]&nbsp;... very kindly,&nbsp; suggested a plan&nbsp;... as soon as the count started in our earpieces I would ask him a question, and he would talk until the count reached eight seconds to go. I would then thank him, turn to the camera and tell the audience briefly about the next game to be televised. Miraculously, for the rest of the tournament I always heard 'zero' in my ear at the moment I said goodbye&nbsp;... the whole experience served to confirm my belief that my decision to stick with ''Test Match Special'' was the right one.<ref>Agnew. ''Thanks, Johnners''. pp. 31–32</ref>}}

In addition to his writing and broadcasting work, Agnew's commentary has been recorded for several computer games, including the [[International Cricket Captain]] and [[Brian Lara Cricket]] series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/international-cricket-captain/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425045410/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/international-cricket-captain/ |archive-date=25 April 2012 |title=International Cricket Captain |publisher=Gamespy |access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/pc/brian_lara_international_cricket/news/brian_lara_returns_to_videogames.html|title=Brian Lara returns to videogames|publisher=VideoGamer.com|access-date=2 December 2011|date=3 February 2005|archive-date=9 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909094535/http://www.videogamer.com/pc/brian_lara_international_cricket/news/brian_lara_returns_to_videogames.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is a shareholder in TestMatchExtra.com Ltd, a company which runs the website of the same address and acquired ''[[The Wisden Cricketer]]'' magazine from [[BSkyB]] in December 2010.<ref name="TWC">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a294646/sky-sells-wisden-cricketer-to-consortium.html |first=Andrew |last=Laughlin |title=Sky sells 'Wisden Cricketer' to consortium |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=3 August 2011 |archive-date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920191148/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a294646/sky-sells-wisden-cricketer-to-consortium.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TWC2">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/493843.html |title=Wisden Cricketer magazine sold |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=3 August 2011 |archive-date=28 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228044234/http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/493843.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 2001 to 2005, Agnew provided the voice of Flynn, the oval-shaped screen, on children's gameshow ''[[50/50 (children's game show)|50/50]]''.

Agnew has won many awards for his broadcasting, including two [[Radio Academy Awards|Sony Awards]] for Best Reporter (1992 and 1994), and Best Radio Broadcaster of the Year (2010), an award from the [[Association of Sports Journalists]].<ref name="AggersAshes" /> Agnew was made an Honorary Doctor of Arts by [[De Montfort University]], [[Leicester]] in November 2008,<ref>{{cite news |title='Aggers' feels an honorary degree of pride |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWGLNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F124BE5C61C994230 |access-date=13 March 2024 |work=Leicester Mercury |via=Newsbank |date=27 November 2008}}</ref> and an Honorary Doctor of Letters by [[Loughborough University]] in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2011/92_Graduation.html | publisher = [[Loughborough University]] | date = 20 July 2011 | access-date = 10 August 2011 | title = Lord Robert Winston among those to be honoured by Loughborough University | archive-date = 8 August 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110808034826/http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2011/92_Graduation.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

His peers in sports journalism have frequently commented on Agnew's skills as a broadcaster and writer. [[Michael Henderson (writer)|Michael Henderson]], in the aftermath of the [[Allan Stanford#Cricket|Stanford cricket controversy]], wrote of Agnew as a "master broadcaster&nbsp;...&nbsp;the pick of the sports correspondents at the BBC&nbsp;...&nbsp;Agnew's is a sane, reasonable voice in a game that is going potty. Fair-minded, even-tempered, he has become one of the finest specialists the BBC has ever had. In his understated way he speaks for the game: not the people who play it."<ref name="Hend"/>

In 2016 Agnew was a member of the BBC commentary team at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], covering equestrian events.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/36922880 | access-date = 30 August 2016 | title = Rio 2016: BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew swaps cricket for equestrian | work = BBC Sport | date = 29 July 2016 | archive-date = 2 August 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160802040232/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/36922880 | url-status = live }}</ref> He earns £185,000 – £189,999 as BBC cricket correspondent.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66156287| title=BBC pay 2022-2023: The full list of star salaries| work=BBC News| date=11 July 2023| access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>

Agnew was appointed as a [[Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire]] in October 2015,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61389 |supp=|page=19950|date=23 October 2015}}</ref> and as a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61803 |supp=y|page=N15|date=31 December 2016}}</ref>

On 26 October 2024, following the conclusion of England's unsuccessful three-test match tour of Pakistan, Agnew confirmed in an article on the ''BBC Sport'' website that this England cricket tour would be his last as the BBC's chief cricket correspondent, a role he had held for 33 years. Agnew did however clarify he would continue to serve as presenter and commentator on the ''Test Match Special'' radio programme.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c33ev3k3v6jo | title=England in Pakistan: Jonathan Agnew on one last collapse from the tourists in his final Test as BBC cricket correspondent | date=26 October 2024 }}</ref>

===Notable broadcasting incidents===
[[File:Galle Dutch Fort cricket ground.jpg|left|thumb|View of [[Galle International Stadium]], as seen from Agnew's ramparts commentary position|alt=A panoramic view of a cricket stadium]]
In 2001, Agnew was part of the BBC team that was sent to [[Sri Lanka]] to cover [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2000-01|England's Test match series]].<ref name="Galle">{{Cite news | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-commentary-team-refuses-to-be-stumped-by-sri-lanka-test-ban-692903.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20091204190716/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-commentary-team-refuses-to-be-stumped-by-sri-lanka-test-ban-692903.html | archive-date =4 December 2009 | title = BBC commentary team refuses to be stumped by Sri Lanka test ban | first=Derek | last=Pringle | author-link=Derek Pringle | access-date=4 August 2011 | date = 24 February 2001| work = [[The Independent]] | url-status =dead |location=London}}</ref> As a result of confusion and a row over broadcasting rights, the BBC team found itself barred from the [[Galle International Stadium]], where the first Test was to take place.<ref name="Galle"/> Agnew and [[Pat Murphy (sports journalist)|Pat Murphy]] refused to be defeated and "decamped to the fort ramparts overlooking the ground and broadcast their programme from there. With both team and equipment protected from the sun by an umbrella held by Mr Agnew's driver, Simmons, it made a colourful scene."<ref name="Galle"/> The [[England and Wales Cricket Board]] (ECB) chief executive, [[Tim Lamb]] became involved in discussions and the ''Test Match Special'' team were allowed to return to the ground.<ref name="Galle"/>

''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' called Agnew and Murphy's effort, "new heights of ingenuity".<ref name="Teleg">{{Cite news| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1323898/Test-match-lock-out-fails-to-stump-BBC.html| work = [[The Daily Telegraph]]| location = London| access-date = 4 August 2011| date = 24 February 2001| title = Test match lock-out fails to stump BBC| first = Tom| last = Leonard| archive-date = 28 February 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160228103525/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1323898/Test-match-lock-out-fails-to-stump-BBC.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Agnew's reaction to the event was, "It's a sad day for everyone involved in English cricket. Is it really that cricket is getting so greedy that everyone who wants to come and report on the game for the good of the game is going to have to be charged for it?"<ref name="Teleg"/> However, he remained upbeat about the situation: "Actually I get rather more of a panoramic view of it from up here than I did yesterday in my commentary box. There's a little road that runs round the back of the ground. All manner of people are trundling up and down – buses, bikes and little three wheeled [[tuk-tuk]]s – it's rather fun."<ref name="Teleg"/>
[[File:Lily Allen @ INmusic festival.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Agnew's interview with Lily Allen provoked a row.|alt=A woman with dark hair, wearing jeans and a cropped white top with black stripes, singing into a microphone]]
In 2004, the Zimbabwe government banned media from following the [[History of cricket in Zimbabwe from 1992 to 2006#England 2004-05|England cricket team tour of the country]].<ref name="Controv">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/someone-needs-to-question-crickets-whiter-than-whites-534974.html |title=Someone needs to question cricket's whiter than whites.. |author=[[Angus Fraser]] |work=[[The Independent]] |date=29 November 2004 |access-date=21 September 2009 |location=London |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190021/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/someone-needs-to-question-crickets-whiter-than-whites-534974.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Agnew's reaction was combative, appearing on [[BBC Breakfast]] and giving his opinion that the ban presented the ECB with a chance to withdraw from the controversial tour and that they should take the opportunity.<ref name="Controv"/>

In the summer of 2008, then England captain [[Michael Vaughan]] reacted testily on-air to questions by Agnew about his batting form. When Vaughan resigned shortly thereafter, [[Mike Atherton]], writing in ''[[The Times]]'', commented that it had been an out-of-character outburst that was a portent of the resignation.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/cricket/article2255590.ece | title = Michael Vaughan bows out with dignity intact | work = [[The Times]] | location = London | access-date = 25 January 2011 | date = 4 August 2008 | first = Michael | last = Atherton | author-link = Michael Atherton | archive-date = 14 May 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150514191854/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/cricket/article2255590.ece | url-status = dead }}{{subscription required}}</ref> When Atherton had himself been England captain, Agnew had led the calls for Atherton to resign over a controversy known as the [[Ball tampering#Michael Atherton, 1994|"dirt in the pocket"]] affair.<ref name="Controv"/> Fellow BBC commentator [[Jack Bannister]] felt that Agnew's comments were inappropriate, but only to the extent that he had referred to his friendship with Atherton: Bannister advised Agnew that he should continue to be honest and forthright as a reporter.<ref>{{Cite book| last1 = Illingworth | first1 = Ray|last2 =Bannister |first2 = Jack |title = One-Man Committee: The controversial reign of England's cricket supremo| year = 1996| publisher =Headline Book Publishing | location = London |isbn = 0-7472-1515-4| pages = 95–96}}</ref>

Agnew was involved in a minor controversy regarding an appearance by [[Lily Allen]] on ''Test Match Special'' in 2009.<ref name="Allen">{{Cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/6087537/Lily-Allen-defends-Jonathan-Agnew-over-pervert-slur.html | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | location = London | access-date = 4 August 2011 | title = Lily Allen defends Jonathan Agnew over 'pervert' slur | first = Mike | last = Norrish | date = 25 August 2009 | archive-date = 3 February 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110203060917/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/6087537/Lily-Allen-defends-Jonathan-Agnew-over-pervert-slur.html | url-status = live }}</ref> ''The Daily Telegraph'' reported that "the cricket-loving Allen struck up an instant rapport with Agnew, and the BBC received largely positive feedback for the 30-minute interview", but [[Will Buckley (journalist)|Will Buckley]], writing for ''[[The Observer]]'', described Agnew's "amorous ambitions" as "positioned&nbsp;... firmly on the pervy side of things".<ref name="perv">{{Cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2009/aug/23/lily-allen-jonathan-agnew-test-match-special| title=When Aggers met Lily: an unrequited love affair for the middle-aged| work=[[The Observer]]| location=London| access-date=4 August 2011| first=Will| last=Buckley| date=23 August 2009| archive-date=29 September 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929141320/http://www.theguardian.com/global/2009/aug/23/lily-allen-jonathan-agnew-test-match-special| url-status=live}}</ref> Agnew was furious, noting he "gave&nbsp;... Will Buckley 24&nbsp;hrs to apologise for calling me a pervert, and he has declined&nbsp;... As you can imagine, I have taken being called a pervert quite badly."<ref name="Allen"/> Allen herself supported Agnew: "[I] really think this Will Buckley guy should apologise to&nbsp;... [Agnew], he was nothing but kind and gentlemanly to me during our interview. I don't know 1 person that agrees with The Observer on this one."<ref name="Allen"/> Buckley eventually apologised.

=== "Leg over" incident ===
Agnew has been known to laugh at or include occasional sexual innuendo while on air.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/1594019.stm |title=Funny old game – Super bloopers |work=BBC News |date=11 October 2001 |access-date=3 August 2011 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020235600/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/1594019.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hf8wq|work = BBC Radio 5|publisher = BBC|title = The Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show|date = 6 June 2011|access-date = 3 August 2011|archive-date = 31 August 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110831230159/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hf8wq|url-status = live}}</ref> One example took place in August 1991, when Agnew was commentating with [[Brian Johnston]]. In a review of the day, Johnston was describing how [[Ian Botham]], while batting, had overbalanced and tried, but failed, to step over his stumps. Botham was consequently given out [[hit wicket]]. Agnew's comment on this action was: "He just didn't quite get his leg over."<ref name="Barry">{{Cite book| title = The Wit of Cricket| first = Barry| last = Johnston| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ygNa9iKqu2oC&q=%22jonathan+agnew%22+stewart+test| publisher = Hodder & Stoughton| isbn = 978-1-4447-1502-6| date = 27 May 2010| page = 267| access-date = 26 October 2020| archive-date = 20 October 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211020235605/https://books.google.com/books?id=ygNa9iKqu2oC&q=%22jonathan+agnew%22+stewart+test| url-status = live}}</ref> Botham had attracted a number of headlines during his career for his sexual exploits and in [[British English]], "[[wikt:get one's leg over|getting one's leg over]]" is a euphemism for having [[sexual intercourse]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1476497,00.html|title=Sporting kiss and tell's|date=8 May 2005|access-date=3 August 2011|work=[[The Observer]]|location=London|archive-date=17 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717073120/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1476497,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The comment led to Johnston becoming incapacitated by laughter.<ref name="Krakatoa">{{Cite news| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8081602/Jonathan-Agnew-on-Johnners.html| title = Jonathan Agnew on Johnners| work = [[The Daily Telegraph]]| location = London| access-date = 4 August 2011| date = 22 October 2010| first = Andrew| last = Pettle| archive-date = 11 March 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110311002508/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8081602/Jonathan-Agnew-on-Johnners.html| url-status = live}}</ref> He initially tried to continue his summary, before becoming unable to speak for laughing, at one point saying "Aggers, for goodness' sake, stop it" as he struggled to regain his composure.

The incident was heard by thousands of commuters driving home from work, many of whom were forced to stop driving because they were laughing so much:<ref name="Barry"/><ref name="Krakatoa"/> a two-mile traffic jam at the entrance to the [[Dartford Tunnel]] was reportedly caused by drivers unable to pay the toll due to laughter.<ref name="Barry"/> Fourteen years later, in 2005, Agnew's line, "Just didn't quite get his leg over" was voted "the greatest sporting commentary of all time" by listeners to BBC Radio 5 Live.<ref name="legwin"/> The other eight finalists included [[Kenneth Wolstenholme]]'s "[[They think it's all over]] – it is now!" and [[Ian Robertson (rugby commentator)|Ian Robertson]]'s "This is the one. He drops for World Cup glory&nbsp;... It's up! It's over! He's done it! [[Jonny Wilkinson]] is England's hero yet again".<ref name="legwin"/> Agnew and Johnston secured 78% of the votes.<ref> name="legwin"/</ref>