James Bernard Neilly MBE is a broadcaster from Northern Ireland known for his sports commentary, especially rugby union and boxing.
He grew up in Merville Garden Village, Whitehouse, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
Formerly a teacher of science in the Belfast Boys' Model School, Neilly joined the BBC as a sports commentator and TV presenter in 1978.
[1] He became Head of Sport and Events for BBC Northern Ireland after eleven years, although he continued working as a presenter and commentator on radio and television, including presenting Midweek Sportsound.
[3] Neilly was awarded an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to sports broadcasting and charity in Northern Ireland.