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John Dykes

Full Biography

John Dykes is the face of football for ESPNSTAR Sports. From our Asia based studios to the touchlines at Anfield, Old Trafford, the Emirates Stadium, Stamford Bridge, Wembley and just about any other big sporting venue, John's passion for football shines through.

IN THE BEGINNING
The passion has always been there, but it's been a long road to reaching the pinnacle of his career. John began his media career as a college radio DJ whilst studying English Literature at University. A move to Hong Kong led to a successful stint at the South China Morning Post, where he was a Sports Writer, Feature Writer and Entertainment Editor for the Sunday Edition. After a short flirtation with a movie show, John returned to his first love - sport - and a job with ESPN STAR Sports.

ESPN STAR Sports
Highlights of John's time with ESPN STAR Sports include his anchoring the company's massive on-site broadcast of cricket's 1999 World Cup in England, trips to Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows to work alongside Vijay Amritraj on Grand Slam tennis, and his work in Augusta for Tiger's triumph at the 2001 Masters. John hosted live Asia-wide coverage of the 2000 and 2001 UEFA Champions League finals from Paris and Milan respectively. Over the years, he has been the host of Inside Cricket and The Formula One pre-show, Raceday, as well as launching Sportsline - the predecessor to SportsCenter - in India.

THE FOOTBALL MAN
John has now become the authoritative public face of ESPN STAR Sports' football programming. He's most clearly associated with taking England's Barclays Premier League programming to new levels of professionalism with his trademark neutrality in hosting live pre-shows and matches. In addition, John is the chair for the often heated flagship Football Focus. Add his two-man programme, First Edition, alongside Sky Sports' Richard Keys to his repertoire, and this is a man at the top of his profession, and a tremendous ambassador for ESPN STAR Sports.

THE FAMILY MAN
John lives in Singapore with his wife Gina and their daughters Natalie and Saskia.

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Question & Answer with John Dykes

Q: How did you arrive at your current position in your broadcasting career?

JD: Squad rotation. No, seriously, it was a case of converting a love for sport and the written/spoken word into a career. I worked in newspapers before moving to television and covered a variety of sports before specializing in football. I lived and worked in Hong Kong for 13 years and have now been in Singapore with ESPN Star Sports for 11 years. Highlights: hosting two Wimbledons, two US Opens, Tiger’s “Calendar Slam” win at the Masters from Augusta, one cricket World Cup. Football highlights: Champions League finals live from the Stade de France and the San Siro, the 2007 FA Cup Final live from Wembley, “Up Close” interviews with Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Rafa Benitez, Steven Gerrard and many more.

Q: Is reporting on sport the next best thing to playing it? And what was the pinnacle you reached in your favourite sport?

JD: My sporting “career” peaked 25 years, at least 10 kilos and a lot of unhealthy living ago, when I won my school’s 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres finals all on the same day, then won the Hong Kong Schools’ 400 metres title the following week. I was 18. Since then, the best I have managed is some enthusiastic but unskilled cricket and football. Reporting on sport is different from playing sport. It is not a substitute. It is a profession and requires a set of skills and immense dedication. I get a little testy when broadcasters claim to be sports fans first and foremost. Nope. You’re a broadcaster.

Q: What is your favourite sport outside of the one you are best known for? And how do you relax when you are not working?

JD: I honestly can, and do, watch just about every sport going. Just ask my wife! But, when I’m away from football, it’s rugby union that really gets my pulse racing. I played a bit as a teenager and really loved the fact that you were putting your body on the line, as well as the sense of camaraderie that exists in the game. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family at the swimming pool or walking our dog, Bentley. My wife and I also like to catch rock concerts whenever possible—the louder the better!

Q: Who was the biggest influence on your life, either within your career or outside?

JD: My father: both in terms of day-to-day life lessons and also broader concerns like responsibility, respect, ambition and moral standards.
Q: Who is the most memorable individual you have met during your playing or working life?

JD: So many, from different walks of life. I was lucky enough to cover entertainment for a while for a Hong Kong TV channel and it meant I got to interview charismatic movie directors like Tim Burton and Oliver Stone. I have listed some of my famous football interview subjects above, but you have to remember they are only interviews. It’s invalid to name-drop as if they were your buddies. If I had to name someone who I really enjoyed spending time with, having idolised him as a kid, it would have to be former West Indies quick bowler Michael Holding. Mind you, some of the most memorable people in TV are those who work on the other side of the camera, and I have met some great characters working here.

Q: Tell us the funniest story you have heard regarding your chosen, or any, sport.

JD: So many. I have always been partial to a Sir Bobby Robson anecdote. I was once part of a great night out with Sir Bobby when he visited us in Asia. It was such a great night out that when we met up the next day, he said, “That was really fun last night. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. Can we go again tonight?”

Q: Do you/did you have a nickname?

JD: Yes, it’s Dykesy

Q: Tell us something we may not know about you..

JD: I enjoy keeping fit by training with my friend, professional Muay Thai boxer Zig Zach, who is now famous after appearing on The Contender Asia. If we ever fought, he would knock me out in less than a second.

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