John McDonald (sports announcer)

John McDonald, sports announcer, was born in London in 1960 as one of six children he was educatated at Latchmere and Rivermead Schools in Kingston upon Thames.

He had a spell in the British Army's Parachute Regiment but found his military career shortened by a parachute accident in 1980, so after extensive rehabilitation he became a freelance photographer, working mainly in TV.

John travelled the world covering many major sporting events from 1982 until he changed career in 1994, to become a Master of Ceremonies.

John's big break came whilst covering a championship boxing match and commenting to a colleague that he felt he could do a better job than the MC on duty that night.

Challenged to do so he did, launching himself into the sports announcing world. Working as a freelance voice of sport he again travelled the world this time without a gun or camera, but a microphone in his hand.

As the master of ceremonies he has carved a place in the sports industry covering, amongst other sports: boxing, snooker, 9-ball pool, ten-pin bowling, darts, fishing, poker, tennis, and table tennis.

He has been the UK Press Officer for the International Boxing Organisation (www.iboboxing.com) since 1990 and is now widely recognised as Europe's foremost sports MC, regularly featured on Sky Sports and ITV in the UK, and channels around the world via his work for Matchroom Sport and the Professional Darts Corporation.

Married to Sharon and the father of four sons (Darren, Jonathan, Anthony, Christian) he enjoys walking and climbing and can often be seen on the mountains and hills of the Lake District.