Close
Flash is required to view this video

Entertainment

Jonathan

Humour on 'Jonathan' natural among friends

If the humour on the rugby-themed chat show Jonathan on S4C gets a bit personal at times it's worth remembering that the three presenters know each other well and are close friends.

Jonathan Davies will be in the big chair once again on Friday evening, 15 February with his provocative and mischievous co-presenters on the Jonathan show, Sarra Elgan and international rugby referee, Nigel Owens. Saturday's success for Wales against France in Paris will be one of the main topics of debate, as well as the Rabo Direct Pro 12 match on the weekend.

Coming from a background immersed in rugby, Sarra Elgan has long been used to leg-pulling. "I've known Jonathan for many years," says Sarra. "Although I've not known Nigel for very long, we're firm friends by now, always enjoy each other's company and frequently meet for a coffee or a bite to eat.

"The three of us get on well and I think that comes over in the programme, though we do disagree sometimes, of course!"

The friendship between Sarra and Jonathan goes back to the days when Jonathan and Sarra's father, the Wales international winger, Elgan Rees, played together for Neath. Sarra's too young to remember her father playing for Wales and the Lions but she still loves to watch tapes of those games.

"I was about nine years old when Dad finished playing but I remember him playing for Neath. I can recall going with friends to the Gnoll to throw a ball around and shout 'Neath, Neath, Neath'. I was raised on the rugby fields of Wales and so following rugby is something I've always done," said Sarra.

It's no surprise, therefore, that Sarra's well-known not just for her role on the Jonathan programme but also as the presenter of the LV= Cup series Cwpan LV= on S4C and as a reporter on Aviva Premiership coverage for ESPN. The rugby tradition is strong in her home as well since she's married to Simon Easterby, winner of 68 caps for Ireland, a former Lions player and now head coach of the Scarlets.

"For years when Simon was playing for Ireland all I wanted was for him to be 'man-of-the match' but for Wales to win. Now I don't have to worry who's 'man-of-the match' as long as Wales win," said Sarra.

Sarra and Simon have two children, Soffia, who's five years old, and Ffredi who's three. "That's all Ffredi ever wants to do is play 'Scarlets' with me as Jon Davies or Rhys Priestland and Ffredi as George North. George North came to say hello to Ffredi and Soffia some weeks ago after a game, and honestly I've never seen them so quiet - they didn't know what to say or do," said Sarra.