Jim Rosenthal: Biography, Age, Crufts & Family Relationships

Few voices in British sports broadcasting are as recognisable as Jim Rosenthal’s. For over five decades, he has reported from the sidelines of football World Cups, rugby tournaments, and Olympic Games.

Birth date: 6 November 1947 ·
Age: 77 years (as of 2025) ·
Notable coverage: 8 FIFA World Cups, 3 Rugby World Cups, 2 Olympic Games ·
Brother: Jack Rosenthal (playwright) ·
Son: Tom Rosenthal (comedian) ·
Current role: Sports presenter, commentator, after-dinner speaker

Six key facts about Jim Rosenthal, drawn from verified sources, give a clear picture of the man behind the microphone.

What does Jim Rosenthal do now?

Current commentary work

• Jim Rosenthal remains active as a sports commentator, covering football and other events for various broadcasters (Useful Talent).
• He has presented Formula One on ITV for eight years, covering over 150 Grands Prix since 1997 (Useful Talent).

After-dinner speaking engagements

• Rosenthal is available through agencies like MN2S for corporate events and after-dinner speaking (MN2S).
• He also does corporate work alongside his Crufts duties (Journo Resources).

Charity involvement with Visably

• He is a patron of Visably (formerly Wireless for the Blind Fund), helping to provide audio services for visually impaired people (Blind).
• The same charity notes he received the Sports Journalists’ Association award for a lifetime of achievement after a career spanning more than 55 years (Blind).

The pattern here: longevity built on versatility. Rosenthal moved between football, Formula One, and dog shows without losing his audience.

Are Jack Rosenthal and Jim Rosenthal related?

Jack Rosenthal’s identity

• Jack Rosenthal is a celebrated playwright and screenwriter, known for works like The Bar Mitzvah Boy and The Evacuees (Wikipedia).
• He was married to actress Maureen Lipman and is the father of actor/director Adam Rosenthal.

Relationship evidence

• Multiple sources confirm that Jack Rosenthal was the older brother of Jim Rosenthal (Wikipedia).
• Their different professions – playwright vs sports presenter – often surprise people, but they grew up together in Oxford.

Why this matters: The Rosenthal name carries weight in both British theatre and sports broadcasting, but the two men are clearly separate figures.

Why is Jim Rosenthal associated with Crufts?

History of Crufts coverage

• Jim Rosenthal has been the lead presenter for Channel 4’s coverage of Crufts since at least 2014 (Wikipedia).
• He had to learn dog agility and flyball specifically for the television coverage (Blind).

His role as presenter

• Channel 4’s 2026 press release confirms Rosenthal will again provide commentary alongside Frank Kane (Channel 4 Press).
• He is widely recognised as “the voice of Crufts” for his distinctive, enthusiastic commentary style.

The implication: Rosenthal’s Crufts role proves that sportscasting skills transfer to any live event, not just traditional sports.

How old is Jim Rosenthal?

Birth date and age calculation

• Born 6 November 1947, Rosenthal turned 77 in 2024 and is 77 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
• His birthplace is Oxford, Oxfordshire, England (IMDb).

Milestones in his life

• He started his career in the 1970s with BBC Radio (MN2S).
• He joined ITV in August 1980 and remained there for 32 years (Journo Resources).
• In 2026, he joined the board of Northampton Town FC (BBC Sport).

What this means: At 77, Rosenthal is still taking on new challenges, from boardroom roles to fresh commentary contracts.

Who are Tom Rosenthal’s parents?

Tom Rosenthal’s father

• Tom Rosenthal is a British comedian and actor, best known for Friday Night Dinner and The Inbetweeners (IMDb).
• His father is Jim Rosenthal, a fact widely reported in media and confirmed on Jim’s Wikipedia page (Wikipedia).

Mother’s identity

• Tom Rosenthal’s mother is not publicly documented in available sources.
• Jim Rosenthal’s spouse is listed as Christine Smith on IMDb, but this may refer to a different family member (IMDb).

The catch: While Jim Rosenthal’s public profile is strong, his private family details remain largely off-limits.

Timeline of Jim Rosenthal’s career

From a local newspaper start to international commentary, the key dates mark a steady rise.

The pattern: Rosenthal’s career trajectory shows consistent expansion, not contraction.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Based on available sources, here’s what we know for certain and what remains without official confirmation.

Quotes from and about Jim Rosenthal

“Simple but Simply The Best.”

Jim Rosenthal, X bio (@rosenthal_jim)

“It has been a privilege to cover so many major sporting events over the years.”

Jim Rosenthal, speaking to Journo Resources Journo Resources

Jim Rosenthal’s career is not winding down. With a boardroom role at Northampton Town and a regular Crufts slot, he is still shaping his legacy. For aspiring sports broadcasters, his trajectory offers a model of adaptability: move between sports, embrace new formats, and never stop learning new skills like flyball commentary.