Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies has announced he will step down from his rugby broadcasting and punditry role with the BBC after the upcoming Six Nations, bringing an end to nearly three decades with the corporation.
The 64-year-old former dual-code star has worked for the BBC for almost 30 years, becoming a familiar voice for viewers of the Six Nations on the channel. He said the tournament in spring 2027 will be his last.
Career on the pitch
Before his broadcasting career, Davies was a legendary player. He debuted for Wales in 1985 and was the flair behind their 1988 Triple Crown win. A year later, he switched to rugby league with Widnes, where he won the 1989 World Club Challenge.
He went on to star for Warrington, winning a Man of Steel in 1994 and captaining both Wales and Great Britain in the 13-man code. He returned to union to finish his career with Cardiff RFC and earned 37 union caps for his country, captaining his nation across both codes.
Move to broadcasting
In 1997, the BBC took a punt and Davies moved into the commentary box and studio. He covers both rugby union and rugby league for the BBC in English and Welsh, and since 2004 has hosted the Welsh-language rugby chat show Jonathan on S4C.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Davies said: "I have honestly not been told to head towards that door. This is my decision. I am rubbish with facts and stats, but I've been doing the Six Nations since it was Five and have enjoyed the ride. It's the moment to get out of the chair."
Honours and charity work
Davies has fundraised for Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre for decades via bike rides, treks and various events. He lost his first wife, Karen, to cancer in 1997.
In 1995, he was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league, promoted to OBE in 2015 for charitable services to people with cancer, and elevated to CBE in this year's New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and to people with cancer. He added: "The first meant a lot, but obviously the last two are more important. Those honours were for the whole team at Velindre who are fantastic and helped my family no end."
Davies also reflected on the sport's community, saying: "You look at someone like Sir Kev [Sinfield] and everything he's done for MND since his mate Rob [Burrow] was diagnosed with it and died and it humbles you. I've lost a few guys I played with to MND and it is worrying. But rugby, whichever code, always comes together and that's what I love about sport. It's given me so much, but yes, it is time to hang the mic up next to those boots."
