The son of a Methodist minister, he joined the Barnet Press newspaper as a junior reporter at the age of 18.
A short freelance spell with BBC Radio Sheffield was followed by a switch to network radio in 1968, where he made his name as a sports presenter.
Motson became a junior member of the Match of the Day staff in 1971, following the departure of Kenneth Wolstenholme, and soon became one of its key commentators.
Between 1979 and 1994, he was the BBC's TV commentator for 29 consecutive major cup finals - FA Cup, World Cup and European Championships.
As well as being involved in the BBC's television coverage of the 2002 World Cup, Motson lends his name to "Mini Motty", an internet pop-up toy specially created by BBC Sport Online.
Motson and his wife Anne have one son, Frederick, 14.