JJ Chalmers: IED blast-surviving former Royal Marines Commando turned go-to TV presenter
TV presenter JJ Chalmers has become a staple of sports coverage – from hosting the 2016 Rio Paralympics to the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games and being part of the Paris Olympics coverage.
The former Royal Marines Commando, who has also presented BFBS Forces News' Army v Navy coverage, began his remarkable journey to becoming an established face on TV after narrowly surviving an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2011.
The blast killed two of his comrades, with JJ breaking his neck, losing two fingers and shattering his right elbow – surviving after a complex operation that involved him having his arm briefly sewn to his abdomen.
He suffered numerous holes blown in his leg as well as a crushed eye socket and burst eardrums, living with leftover shrapnel in his body for years.
Not letting his injuries beat him, he underwent months of rehabilitation and was inspired by the London 2012 Paralympics to go on to participate in Prince Harry's 2014 Invictus Games.
JJ would win a gold medal for the Men's IRecB1 Recumbent Circuit Race and a bronze in both non-amputee Cycling, in the one-mile Time Trial and the 4×100m Mixed Relay race.
But it was not only medals and experience JJ would take from the games – he built a close bond with the Duke of Sussex.
Talking to the Manchester Evening News, JJ recounted how he first encountered the Duke of Sussex "at the side of a swimming pool" at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone when he was preparing for the Royal Marine rehabilitation triathlon, which was just months before the first Invictus Games.
They have continued their close friendship, which has seen JJ's involvement in the Invictus Games go from competitor to presenter to now also an ambassador.
Prince Harry would even make a surprise appearance in Strictly Come Dancing to say how proud he was of the former Royal Marine who was competing.
JJ and Strictly dancing partner Amy Dowden received the call while they were training.
Prince Harry said: "When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself, but then to see you shine through Invictus and to feel like yourself again, that was the start of an amazing journey."
The Duke of Sussex said that he was "genuinely proud" of JJ, adding: "You are not a dancer – proving that you can actually do anything that you can put your mind to, which is amazing."
JJ's impressive list of credits to his name continues to grow since hitting the ground running with his 2016 role as a studio presenter role for the Rio Paralympics with the BBC.
Since 2017, he has anchored BBC's coverage of the Invictus Games, later becoming a key part of the BBC's sports team including the Commonwealth Games and London Marathon.
As part of the BBC's ceremonial coverage, JJ has commentated on The Lord Mayor's Show and was privileged to have been involved in the D-Day Memorial programming.
Other BBC credits include The One Show, BBC Breakfast, Getaways, Wild Escapes, Pilgrimage, The People Remember and the acclaimed documentary for Radio 5 Live From Helmand and Back.
The former Royal Marine has also anchored the coverage of the big clash between the Army and Navy Ruby Union for BFBS Forces News more than once.
JJ has the unique habit of meeting and sharing moments with people from his military past.
In 2021, he "burst into tears" on a flight to the Tokyo Paralympic Games, when he was reunited with the pilot who flew him out of Afghanistan a decade ago.
"I was flown back from Afghanistan in an induced coma – it was 48 hours after I'd been injured," the veteran told BBC 5 Live.
"Fast forward then, 10 years later, when I'm getting onto this plane to fly out to Tokyo to do one of my dream jobs," he continued.
"It was a special enough moment as it was, before the air hostess pulled me to one side when she saw my name.
"She said, 'Our pilot actually flew you back from Afghanistan, flew you back into the UK, when you were injured 10 years ago. He's noticed that and he would like you to come this way'."
Hearing that pilot David Ellis wished to meet him and speak to him a decade after his injury, JJ burst into tears.
The pilot flying the former commando to Tokyo had recognised his name and matched up internet searches of JJ's injury dates with his own RAF flying logbook.
JJ said the pair "were able to talk like two veterans" but that he "cut the nonsense" when departing the plane.
He told the pilot: "I owe something that I'll never be able to repay to you. I'm unbelievably grateful for what you did for me. Thank you."
JJ described the "perfect" response from Mr Ellis: "It was 'We all had a job to do. That's what you did, that’s what I did. That's what we all did'."
At the Army v Navy rugby match in 2023, JJ had a chance meeting with a Royal Marines Bandsman who had aided his family when he was wounded.
JJ was on presenting duties for BFBS at Twickenham and happened to meet Major Ian Davis, who had been the one who informed his family that he had been hurt.
JJ posted the events on his Instagram account: "In another profound turn of events at the Army/Navy Match. Just as I was complementing the Royal Marines Band to my RAF colleagues.
"And just as I went to tell the story about how it was, in fact, a Royal Marines Bandsman who had the difficult task of knocking on my front door and informing my family of my wounding 12 years ago.
"This gentleman, Major Ian Davis, approached me saying he was that bandsman!
"I've literally never met him and we only had the chance to talk for a minute… but I made sure we exchanged details… and I will make sure I buy him a beer ASAP."
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