JJ (John-James) Chalmers hasn't always been a presenter. In fact, it was only in 2016 that his media career began. That year, JJ presented National Paralympic Day for Channel 4 after competing in the 2014 Invictus Games. In July 2016, he would return to the Games as an ambassador, telling his story at the opening ceremony as well as working with the BBC in their coverage of the games. Read here to find out about other Commonwealth Games presenter, Jason Mohammad.
Prior to a career in sports and media, 35-year-old JJ served as a Royal Marine. During this time, he served in Helmand Province in Afghanistan and was attached to 42 Commando - a subordinate unit within the Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade.
JJ had joined the Royal Marine reserves whilst juggling a career as a design and technology teacher in Edinburgh. He would serve in the Royal Marines between 2005-2016 but in May 2011, his life would change forever when he sustained severe injuries in an IED (Implosive Explosive Device) blast. JJ suffered facial injuries, lost two fingers and his right elbow disintegrated. Despite his physical injuries, JJ described in an interview with The Big Issue earlier this year, his "disability is far more complicated than just being blown up."
Read more: How Cardiff looked when it hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1958
He said during the interview: "Physically I had to be born again. We had to rebuild my body. I had to learn to walk, learn to eat, learn to do everyday functions again. And all sorts of aspects of me had massively changed." Despite learning to cope with his disability, JJ left the Royal Marines in 2016.
Two years previous was JJ's Invictus Games debut. He was a medal winner in non-amputee cycling for Britain at the Games in 2014. Captaining the trike team, JJ received a gold medal for the Men's IRecB1 Recumbent Circuit Race, as part of a British trio who crossed the finishing line together. Earlier that day, he had already won a bronze in the 1-mile time trial. He also won a bronze medal in the 4 × 100m mixed relay race.
Since then, JJ's career has shifted towards television. He featured on The Superhumans Show before travelling to Rio de Janeiro as a presenter for Channel 4's coverage of the 2016 Summer Paralympics, as well as appearing as a guest on The Last Leg series Live from Rio. After returning from Rio he hosted the Team GB's - Olympics and Paralympics Homecoming Parade in Manchester, alongside Mark Chapman and Helen Skelton, which was simulcast on BBC One and Channel 4.
Owing to his background as a Royal Marine, he presented The People Remember, with Sophie Raworth, a remembrance series honouring heroes both on the battlefield and the home front, shown throughout the week of remembrance, before appearing on the BBC's coverage of Remembrance at the Cenotaph. He has continued to appear as a presenter during Remembrance weekend since then.
On 21 February 2017, JJ joined the BBC Sport Team, regularly working as a presenter and reporter on annual events like the Great North, Great Manchester Run and The London Marathon. He also joined The One Show as a features Reporter and often pops up on the green sofa alongside Alex Jones. He has continued to present major sporting events for the channel and has has worked the World Athletics Indoor Championships, Commonwealth Games, Invictus Games and Olympic Games.
In September 2020, it was announced that JJ would be taking part in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He danced with professional Amy Dowden. He was eliminated in the quarter finals of the competition, after losing the dance-off to Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer.
In April last year, JJ was part of the BBC presentation team covering the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. This wouldn't be his only royal connection, however, and he has discussed his friendship with Prince Harry at length. In the interview with The Big Issue, JJ said: "Harry’s a friend of mine and someone I dearly love and wish the best for. I wouldn’t be stood here talking to you if it wasn’t for him. Not to lay all of it at his feet, but he’s one of the key people who created one of the key catalysts in my recovery. For that, I’ll be forever grateful."
JJ is married to Kornelia Chitursko, a chef, and the couple have two children. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
READ NEXT
Jason Mohammad's wife, huge BBC salary, Welsh schooldays and the racist abuse he suffered
TOWIE's Lauren Goodger shares heartbreaking reason her baby daughter died just after she was born
Winter Love Island will return in 2023 as ITV announces two series will air
Clare Balding's cancer battle, wife and Gogglebox appearances
