Jonathan Ross Faces Backlash: Mispronunciation Blunder Sparks Outrage

Jonathan Ross faced backlash for mispronouncing celebrities’ names, with viewers calling ITV’s Oscars coverage on Sunday night “embarrassing.”

This weekend marked the return of the 98th Academy Awards, as Hollywood’s elite gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to honor cinematic achievements.

In the UK, Jonathan Ross, 65, spearheaded the broadcast alongside presenter Elle Osili Wood, actor Samson Kayo, and comedian Fred Asquith.

However, shortly after the show began, fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with Ross’s pronunciation of some celebrities’ names and for confusing two actors’ identities.

Viewers pointed out that he mispronounced host Conan O’Brien’s name and struggled with the name of Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve.

Taking to X as the coverage aired, fans of the awards show penned: ‘if Jonathan Ross could learn how to pronounce everyone’s names that would be wonderful’.,

‘is jonathan ross intentionally pronouncing everyone’s name strangely?’,

‘might start a drinking game where I take a shot every time jonathan ross pronounces a name weird’.

Jonathan Ross was criticised for mispronouncing stars’ names as viewers blasted ITV’s ’embarrassing’ Oscars coverage on Sunday night

Not long into the show starting, fans took to social media to complain about the way he said some of the stars’ names as well as mixing up two actors’ names

Another blunder pointed out by viewers was when Jonathan muttered ‘f**k’ when he thought the broadcast had cut back to LA just after he mixed up Javier Bardem and Benicio del Toro. 

Reacting online, viewers wrote: ‘Also not Jonathan Ross mistaking Javier Bardem with several other people #itvOscars’,

‘Did Jonathan Ross just curse lol #oscars.’, 

‘Jonathan Ross confusing Bencio with Javier and even saying Joaquin in between. Retirement soon come #ITV #Oscars.’,

‘Jonathan Ross mixing up Benicio Del Toro + Javier Bardem now!?’,

‘jonathan ross mixing up javier bardem and benicio del toro oh get this man away from the oscars next year i’m tiiiiiiiiired.’

Others accused him on not reading up on the nominees more before as one viewer penned: ‘The Oscars ITV panel is just embarrassing. Jonathan Ross doesn’t have a scooby what’s going on and the fact the panel called Amy Madigan’s win a surprise sums it up really…’.

Many also complained about the poor audio quality on the ITV coverage after experiencing ‘horrid bleeping noises’. 

Fans wrote: ‘pleeeeease sort out the sound for the Oscars coverage – it’s basically unwatchable !!!’ (sic).

‘Thought it was only me. It’s awful.’

 ‘oscars on itv is both awful squeaking noises and awful sound quality. yay!’

Jonathan, 65, returned to lead the coverage in the UK alongside presenter Elle Osili Wood, actor Samson Kayo and comic Fred Asquith

Taking to X as the coverage aired, fans of the awards show penned: ‘if Jonathan Ross could learn how to pronounce everyone’s names that would be wonderful’

Another blunder pointed out by viewers was when Jonathan muttered ‘f**k’ when he thought the broadcast had cut back to LA just after he mixed up Javier Bardem and Benicio del Toro

‘@ITV why does the audio for the Oscars coverage sound so dreadful? The audio sounds like it’s strained through a thick sock.’

‘There’s a technical issue with the sound @ITV for the Oscar’s, a horrid bleeping noise’. 

Despite things getting off to a bumpy start, the sound issues were quickly rectified so viewers could enjoy the show.  

Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.

One Battle After Another ended the 2026 awards season by winning Best Picture on a night where Michael B Jordan and Jessie Buckley earned top acting prizes at the Oscars.

Jordan, 39,  shocked the world at the 98th Academy Awards as he upset Timothee Chalamet to win Best Actor for Sinners as Buckley, 36, took home Best Actress for her work in Hamnet at the event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Paul Thomas Anderson accepted the top prize of the night alongside Teyana Taylor and the rest of the cast and crew as the film earned the most wins of the night with six. 

The American black comedy action-thriller film triumphed over a massive, competitive, field  including: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams.

They claimed he pronounced the host Conan O’Brien’s (seen) name incorrectly as well as struggling to say Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve’s name 

Many also complained about the poor audio quality on the ITV coverage after experiencing ‘horrid bleeping noises’ 

The Leonardo DiCaprio led film One Battle After Another is centered around a group of ex-revolutionaries who reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own as their enemy resurfaces after 16 years 

The most talked about moment of the night will surely be that Jordan earned the top honor Best Actor for his leading role in Ryan Coogler film Sinners.

He upset favorite throughout award season 30-year-old Chalamet, who starred in Marty Supreme, as the field included: Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent.

Jordan was in disbelief as he walked up to the stage and was greeted by last year’s winner Adrien Brody.

Sinners is centered around two brothers who return to their hometown to start again only to discover that an even greater evil – in the form of vampires – is waiting to welcome them back. 

Jordan portrayed both brothers in the film: older and more serious twin Elijah ‘Smoke’ Moore in addition to younger and more cheerful sibling Elias ‘Stack’ Moore.

 Jessie Buckley continued her winning ways as she earned Best Actress for her role in Hamnet.

The 36-year-old Irish actress beat out Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone – Bugonia.

One Battle After Another was the biggest winner of the evening as Paul Thomas Anderson earned both Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. 

Meanwhile, Sean Penn was not in attendance as he earned his third Oscar.

The 65-year-old A-lister’s name was announced by Kieran Culkin for the Best Supporting Actor Award for his work in One Battle After Another but he was not in the building to accept.

Amy Madigan took home the first award at the Oscars 2026 on Sunday night. 

The 75-year-old veteran actress earned Best Supporting Actress for her work in Zach Creggar’s supernatural mystery horror film Weapons.

It was one of the most contentious categories of the night as she was up against Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value, Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners, and Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another.

Ryan Coogler finally earned his first win in the Best Original Screenplay category for his epic Sinners. 

One of the most touching wins of the night came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners. 

The second award of the night was groundbreaking as KPop Demon Hunters earned Best Animated Feature Film.