Jill Douglas Leads ITV Six Nations Amid Busy Year

Jill Douglas, one of the crucial recognizable faces in British sports activities journalism, is as soon as once more on the forefront of rugby protection as she leads ITV’s presentation of the Six Nations championship this February 2026. At 56 years outdated, Douglas has develop into a mainstay for followers tuning in to comply with one of many sport’s most prestigious worldwide tournaments—a testomony to her enduring professionalism and charismatic on-screen presence.
Raised within the picturesque village of Bonchester Bridge within the Scottish Borders, Douglas’s journey to sports activities broadcasting stardom started at Border TV, the place she hosted the regional information journal Lookaround. Her early profession in native information offered a strong basis for what would quickly develop into a outstanding ascent by the ranks of nationwide sports activities media. In 1997, she made her transfer to BBC Scotland, taking the reins because the presenter of rugby union protection on Sportscene. Just two years later, she joined Sky Sports, the place she expanded her repertoire to incorporate each rugby and Golden League athletics, turning into a well-recognized face to followers of a number of sports activities throughout the UK.
Douglas’s versatility and experience noticed her return to the BBC in 2003, the place she turned a number one presenter for rugby union, biking, and main worldwide occasions just like the Olympic Games. Her signature model—authoritative, heat, and at all times partaking—has since graced the screens of BT Sport and ITV, solidifying her repute as a trusted voice in sports activities journalism. As the rugby calendar heats up every spring, her function at ITV’s Six Nations protection places her proper within the coronary heart of the motion, connecting viewers with the tales and personalities that make the event so compelling.
This weekend, Douglas’s busy schedule features a visitor look on James Martin’s Saturday Morning present on ITV, the place she’ll be featured alongside acclaimed singer-songwriter Freya Ridings. The section, airing on February 21, provides followers a uncommon glimpse into her life away from the rugby pitch, although Douglas has at all times maintained a cautious stability between her public persona and personal life. She lives in Cheltenham together with her husband, Carl Hogg—a former Scottish rugby worldwide who boasts 17 appearances for the Scotland ‘A’ group, together with six as captain, and 5 senior caps earned between 1992 and 1994. Hogg presently serves because the Director of Academy and Development at Gloucester Rugby, additional underscoring the household’s deep ties to the game. Together, they’ve two youngsters, Keith and Rosie, and whereas the couple values their privateness, Douglas sometimes shares snapshots of household adventures on Instagram, together with a latest journey to Bucharest.
Douglas’s profession hasn’t been with out its share of memorable moments—some exhilarating, others slightly awkward. One such incident unfolded reside on air in the course of the 2016 Rio Olympics, a second that rapidly turned the speak of social media and sports activities boards alike. As Douglas interviewed Sir Bradley Wiggins following his record-tying fifth Olympic gold medal within the group pursuit, co-presenter Sir Steve Redgrave, himself a legendary rower, immediately stepped in to embrace Wiggins. The interruption prompted Douglas to claim, “Let me do this,” a phrase that momentarily created rigidity but additionally showcased her professionalism and command of the state of affairs. Reflecting on the episode later, Douglas downplayed any suggestion of a spat, sharing a lighthearted photograph of herself and Redgrave with the caption: “As you can see, Sir Steve in furious…”
Another headline-grabbing episode occurred throughout ITV’s protection of the Players Championship snooker event. Douglas, by no means one to draw back from powerful questions, requested snooker star Shaun Murphy about perceived lapses in focus throughout his match. Murphy’s response was sharp, accusing Douglas of “lazy journalism” and calling the road of questioning “ridiculous.” The change rapidly gained traction on-line, however Murphy quickly reconsidered his phrases. In a gesture of apology, he delivered a bottle of wine and a card to Douglas, later admitting he was incorrect for “leaping down her throat.” The incident highlighted Douglas’s resilience and beauty beneath strain—qualities which have endeared her to colleagues and viewers alike.
Yet Douglas’s influence extends nicely past the studio and the sidelines. She was awarded an MBE within the 2022 New Year Honours, a recognition of her important contributions to each sports activities broadcasting and charitable work. Her dedication to philanthropy is most evident by her longstanding involvement with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity devoted to elevating consciousness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Douglas turned CEO of the muse in 2017, pushed by her shut friendship with Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, who was recognized with the illness and sadly handed away in November 2022. Though she has since stepped down from her CEO function, Douglas stays an lively patron, utilizing her platform to champion the trigger and honor Weir’s legacy.
For Douglas, the intersection of sport and neighborhood has at all times been central to her work. Whether she’s on the sidelines of a packed stadium, within the studio with fellow broadcasters, or advocating for very important medical analysis, her ardour for storytelling and her dedication to creating a distinction shine by. Her profession trajectory—from native information within the Scottish Borders to the brilliant lights of worldwide sports activities protection—serves as an inspiration for aspiring journalists and broadcasters in every single place.
As the Six Nations championship continues to captivate rugby followers throughout the continent, Douglas stays a guiding presence, bringing perception, empathy, and a contact of wit to each broadcast. Her capability to navigate the drama of reside tv, deal with high-pressure moments with poise, and join with athletes and audiences alike has made her one of the crucial revered figures in sports activities media right now.
With her household cheering her on from Cheltenham and a legion of viewers tuning in every weekend, Jill Douglas’s story is way from over. Whether she’s recapping an exhilarating strive, sharing amusing with a co-host, or championing a trigger near her coronary heart, Douglas continues to set the usual for excellence in sports activities journalism. As the Six Nations motion unfolds, followers can anticipate extra memorable moments—and maybe a couple of surprises—from one of many sport’s nice storytellers.