Legendary BBC pundit quits job as broadcaster loses another top talent

The iconic BBC pundit and fan favourite is quitting his job after almost three decades in the position.

Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies is leaving the BBC (Image: Getty)

Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies has announced that he'll step down from his rugby broadcasting and punditry role with the BBC after the upcoming Six Nations. The former dual-code star has been working for the corporation for almost 30 years, but he becomes the latest big name to announce their departure.

For nearly three decades, those watching the Six Nations on the Beeb will have been warmed by Jiffy's voice. The 64-year-old was just as legendary on the field, first becoming an elusive, goal-kicking union fly-half for Neath and Llanelli.

Jiffy debuted for Wales in 1985 and was the flair behind their 1988 Triple Crown win. A year later, he switched to 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.

Jiffy returned to union to finish his career with Cardiff RFC and throughout a glittering tenure on the pitch, he earned 37 union caps for his country. He captained his nation across both codes.

In 1997, the BBC took a punt and Jiffy moved into the commentary box and studio. He hasn't looked back since. But after years behind the mic, he says this upcoming Six Nations in spring 2027 will be his last.

Jiffy was an incredible player (Image: Getty)

"I have honestly not been told to head towards that door," he told The Telegraph. "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."

Jiffy covers both rugby union and rugby league for the BBC in English and Welsh. Since 2004, he's hosted the Welsh-language rugby chat show Jonathan on S4C.

His charity work has further endeared him to the Welsh public. He has fundraised for Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre for decades via bike rides, treks and various events. Jiffy lost his first wife, Karen, to cancer in 1997.

The rugby icon was made a CBE in 2026 (Image: Getty)

In 1995, he was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league. He was promoted to OBE in 2015 for charitable services to people with cancer. In this year's New Year Honours, he was elevated to CBE 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.

"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."