Jo Whiley is one of BBC Radio 2’s most popular presenters. As well as her evening show, she fronts the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury, for which she has interviewed music legends from Paul McCartney to Nile Rodgers.
In an exclusive interview in Good Housekeeping’s July issue, she opened up about her favourite Glastonbury memories, including the time she ended up dancing on stage.
'I love the spontaneity. You never know who’s going to be there and what kind of incredible sight you’re going to see,' she says.
'I’ve had so many memorable moments there, such as introducing Paul McCartney. I must have practised that link about a gazillion times and I was so relieved when I got it right. And then there was the moment I was thrust on stage by Nile Rogers and made to dance.”
Now 57, Jo opened up about embracing this decade and the wisdom that's come with it.
“It used to be that everything stopped when you got to a certain age – but not any more.' she says.
'This is a fantastic time to be in our 50s – we are very, very lucky. Over the years, I’ve been through a lot of stuff at work. I’ve dealt with people being very difficult and feelings of fear and stress when it’s all been too much. But now I know how to navigate it all and I feel much stronger.'
The radio DJ and presenter also revealed that she recently felt inspired to sign up for a triathlon.
'I’m nowhere near as fit as I was four years ago and I have no training regime!' she says.
'I swim and I go to the gym, but it’s random and sporadic. I’m vegetarian and I try to eat lots of fruit and veg, but I always have coffee and a croissant to start the day.'
Home for Jo is a converted barn in Northamptonshire, which she shares with her husband of 31 years, music executive Steve Morton. The pair have four children, India, 31, Jude, 24, Cassius, 22, and Coco, 14, and Jo spoke about the feelings that have come with her eldest children leaving home.
'People often say they don’t know what to do with themselves when their kids leave home and I really relate to that,' she says.
'It's daunting when you suddenly have more time on your hands. It’s easy to feel panic-stricken about who you are, what on earth you’re going to do with yourself. But it’s a chance to go out there and have a new lease of life; to have independence and enjoy yourself, which is very empowering.'
Jo Whiley hosts her BBC Radio 2 show on Mondays to Thursdays from 7pm. For tickets to her tour, Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems, visit 90santhems.com. She is presenting BBC TV and Radio coverage of the Glastonbury Festival.
Read the full interview with Jo Whiley in the July 2023 issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale 1st June 2023. It is available in all supermarkets and online at MagsDirect.
