He is notable for his commentating alongside Andy Gray in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.
His first live television experience came in 1991, when he covered Brazilian championship football games for Screensport.
Hawthorne's move to television was completed as he became part of the Sky Sports commentary team covering Monday night games in the F.A.
But after his first season covering Monday Night Football (having commented on the title showdown between Newcastle United and Manchester United) Hawthorne worked alongside Alan Brazil and commentated on some memorable play off finals such as Charlton Athletic v Sunderland from 1998 and Manchester City v Gillingham from 1999.
More recently, Hawthorne commentated over the 2019 EFL Cup Final between Manchester City and Chelsea alongside Alan Smith and commentated on the 2023 final which was between Newcastle United and Manchester United alongside Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.