Jonathan Ross shares heartbreaking reason behind 'unhealthy' toy obsession

Jonathan Ross Unveils Childhood Struggles Behind Extensive Toy Collection

Broadcasting icon Jonathan Ross has recently spoken candidly about the poignant origins underpinning his remarkable toy collection. The celebrity presenter revealed that this passion stems from a youth marked by financial hardship and scarcity of food. Typically known for posing questions, the 64-year-old father of three shared подробности of his impoverished upbringing and the underlying motivations for his vast assemblage of toys.

Early Life and Financial Hardship

In a revealing conversation on the “Table Manners” podcast hosted by Jessie and Lennie Ware, Ross offered a rare glimpse into his formative years. He recounted growing up in a working-class environment with his mother Martha, recognised for her background roles on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and his father John.

“I originate from a background that I hesitate to label as impoverished, yet I suppose we were indeed poor,” Ross acknowledged. “Our family’s financial situation was precarious during my early childhood, leading to instances where we had to borrow food from neighbours.” The esteemed television personality further disclosed a childhood accident where he lost a portion of his finger as a toddler, occurring when he was briefly unattended while his mother sought food assistance from a neighbour.

Childhood Accident Linked to Food Scarcity

“Have you ever noticed the unusual shape of my fingers?” he inquired of the podcast audience. “I sustained a finger injury around the age of one and a half. This happened because my mother had briefly left me alone to seek food aid – we were experiencing food insecurity at home at the time.”

Now a prominent figure, Ross has accumulated a considerable fortune, estimated at £30 million. He has allocated a portion of this wealth to cultivate what he believes to be “arguably the most extensive collection of a particular genre of Japanese toys outside of Japan.”

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Motivations Behind Toy Collecting

Reflecting on his foray into toy collecting, Ross explained, “Coming from a background lacking in financial resources… I resolved to acquire the possessions that evoked a profound and simmering sense of entitlement, items that were unattainable during my childhood.” Elaborating on this, he reminisced, “My childhood aspiration was to own a Major Matt Mason action figure. Instead, I received a diminutive promotional Shell Petrolman toy. I improvised a spacesuit for it using paper. Presently, I possess a comprehensive assortment of Major Matt Mason items, encompassing numerous prototypes and original packaging from the 1960s.”

Toy Collection Revealed on Antiques Roadshow

Ross’s extensive toy obsession gained public attention during a special episode of “Antiques Roadshow” last year. In the episode, the presenter unveiled a dedicated room housing his impressive collection. Fiona Bruce, the host, playfully questioned the normalcy of such a vast toy accumulation. Ross responded frankly, “It’s clearly not entirely normal, I am aware of the potential for excess. However, Fiona, consider this: the distinction between a collector and a hoarder, in my perspective, lies in intentionality. A hoarder indiscriminately amasses items without discernment and struggles to relinquish anything.”

The father of three characterized the toy room as his “sanctuary”, adding, “A sense of relief washes over me when I am within that space.”

End of Extravagant Halloween Parties

Joined by his daughter Honey, 28, on the podcast, Ross also suggested that the renowned Ross family Halloween celebrations, once frequented by numerous celebrity guests, may have become a tradition of the past.

“We no longer organise them,” he admitted. He explained that the tradition originated from his and his wife Jane Goldman’s, 54, fascination with American cultural practices. “Even before we had children, we would decorate our window and prepare treats for trick-or-treaters. Initially, we were slightly disappointed by the limited participation from other households,” he recounted.

To compensate, the couple hosted elaborate garden gatherings, sometimes accommodating up to 80 children. “As my children matured, my Halloween celebrations became more extravagant,” he chuckled. “We certainly indulged in elaborate festivities.”

Jonathan and Jane, who married in 1988, are also parents to daughters Betty Kitten, 33, and Honey, and son Harvey, 31.