Radio DJ Jo Whiley has been a firm favourite on the airwaves and our screens for three decades now - bringing her unrivalled music knowledge and own brand of cool to the nation.
She began her career on Radio 1, hosting The Jo Whiley Show from 1997 until 2011, when she made the move across to Radio 2, where she is now. As well as her radio work, Jo's known for presenting the BBC festivals line up on television; shes's a stalwart of the broadcaster's coverage of Glastonbury each summer.
Jo lives in Northamptonshire with husband Steve, who she married in 1991. They are parents to children India, 26, Jude, 20, Cassius, 17, and Coco, 10. The family also has a sproodle called Brodie and cats Simba and Gingin.
She tells Good Housekeeping about the joy of having her whole family under one roof, collecting vintage radios and making regular trips to her local tip...
How would you describe your home? It’s a cacophony of drama, chaos, laughter and tears – the average family home, really! There’s always something going on. India lives between home and London and Jude is at university. I’m at my happiest when they’re all here under one roof. That is the best thing.
How tidy is it? I love it when it’s really tidy. I quite like order, so I’m constantly tidying up. Coco is obsessed with drawing, painting, glitter and glue, so my living room has become an art studio.
What’s your signature dish? I’m a bit like Wendy Craig from Butterflies when she just couldn’t cook. My husband jokes that my signature dish is ‘take a pepper’, because all I do is get onions, peppers, aubergines and courgettes and turn them into a chilli or lasagne. That’s pretty much all I ever do.
Do you prefer to cook for friends or eat out? I prefer to eat in. I love to have people round because it’s less about the food and more about the company, entertainment, drinks and conversation. I really love that.
What food can’t you live without? Cottage cheese and pineapple. It’s my favourite food from growing up when I’d have it on Ryvita. It puts me in a very bad mood if I open the fridge and someone has emptied the last tub.
Who would be your dream party guests? For the ultimate dinner party, I’d have Cary Grant, James Stewart, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Hollywood glamour. We’d all be wearing the most beautiful cocktail dresses and suits and it would be the most refined thing. We’d have cocktails with little cherries sticking out of the top.
What is your best time-saving tip? I do everything at 100 million miles an hour. People take their time to do stuff too often. I find it much better just to rush around and get everything done. Just speed up!
What did your parents teach you? To look after other people and just to be kind. They’re the most selfless people I have ever met.
What advice will you hand down to your children? My advice is that no matter how bad things are at the moment, it will pass.
Are you a hoarder or do you tend to throw things away? I’m too good at throwing things away – there are a number of valuable items I’ve binned in the past. I don’t like clutter – I get rid of stuff.
What is your biggest extravagance? I love radios. I have a really nice audio system in every room so I can stream music or listen to music. I have a collection of Roberts radios, too, and some vintage ghetto blasters.
What lifts you out of a mood? Swimming – I’d go every day if I could. Physical exercise is the one thing I would advise anyone to do, it can change your head space.
What is your favourite household task? Nothing makes me happier than going to the tip and getting rid of bags of rubbish. I’m literally on first-name terms with the people at the tip.
What is your health motto? Try hard not to fall apart mentally and physically. I think it’s incredibly important to do exercise and to keep yourself as healthy as possible. Whatever you can do, just try to do it.
Where in the world is your happy place? The garden – it’s something I’ve grown into. You get a real sense of achievement when you’ve worked incredibly hard. Six months down the line, when you see something blossoming, you feel so good.
Jo Whiley's BBC Radio 2 show is broadcast Monday to Thursday, 7-9pm.
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