Much loved Radio DJ and TV host Jo Whiley reveals her life has been filled with ups and downs so far this year
Jo Whiley says she is choosing not to slow down after hitting 60 – and thinks birthday milestones are “not a big deal”.
After posing in a colourful magazine shoot she insisted: “We should never say someone looks good for their age, we should just say they look good!” BBC Broadcaster Jo certainly does look good and tried out a variety of outfits before sitting down to speak to woman&home.
On turning 60 this month she insisted: “Another birthday really isn’t a big deal for me because I don’t see age as important. It’s something that you very much don’t want to be a thing, but it becomes a thing because everybody focuses on it and asks you about it constantly. It’s a bizarre situation to be in because I’m only another year older than I was last year, and a year younger than I will be next year. There’s an obsession with reaching certain milestones due to your age. People focus on it too much and I don’t know what to say.
“You have a birthday, you wake up the next day, and you carry on. I’m doing my radio show, going to the gym and looking after the kids, so nothing has changed at all. There’s probably a focus because people used to retire earlier than they do now, and now that concept is mind-boggling.”
On exercise and her body she added: “Your body undoubtedly changes as you get older, and things don’t look the same. Your skin changes, and that’s one of my biggest revelations. I do weights, which has become increasingly important, but no matter how many weights I lift, I can’t do anything about the skin that’s hanging off on my arms, or the papery texture my skin has. Why did nobody tell me about that? I’m not quite sure what the answer is, apart from wearing long sleeves and covering up, but I don’t want to do that. I wish I could say I’m great with self-care and that I moisturise my body all the time, but I’m rubbish at all of that.
I have so many aches and pains, but I consider myself very lucky to be healthy. I have got arthritis, which is really painful, and my rotator cuff in my shoulder is hurting at the moment. I haven’t had any serious health issues – I get migraines sometimes, but I think they are linked to the stress and strains of living.”
The Radio DJ and TV host has also been dealing with some real highs and lows of family and work life recently, having fronted some of the BBC ’s Glastonbury coverage in June and launched a new podcast called Dig It with friend Zoe Ball.
But away from the cameras she and her family have had to get their head around some big news for her father Martin, a former electrician.
She has been married to music executive Steve Morton, 60, since 1991, and they are parents to India, 32, Jude, 26, Cassius, 23, and Coco, 16.
Jo explained: “The things that keep my feet on the ground are probably the same as everyone else’s. There’s all the stuff that goes with dealing with ageing parents. Dad has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, so I need to look after him and help my mum. It’s those day-to-day realities of life that keep you grounded.
“We had been suspecting something was going on with my dad for a while, so it was good to get a diagnosis, and now we’re trying to make sense of it all. It’s really early days, and he’s quite confused about it. Something like that puts everything in perspective and stops you from worrying about rubbish. Everyone will be dealing with those things in real life. That’s the reality of being my age; that you end up having more people to look after and more responsibilities.”
The news of her dad is sure to have made her feel emotional and it is a side of her which she often shows.
“I’m a sensitive person, and it’s difficult for me not to show my emotions,” she explained.
“It’s good to share how you’re feeling. I can’t imagine a life where I didn’t cry. I wish I cried less and if I could take a magic pill to stop myself, I probably would. I cry when I’m tired, so I will suddenly break down for seemingly no reason.
“Someone will ask what’s going on, but it’s just that I’m exhausted. If I don’t want anyone to know how I’m feeling, I’ll cry while I’m driving or swimming, and I have to try not to swallow loads of water! Sometimes, there’s just too much going on in your life and head, and the only way to deal with it is to let the tears flow.”
Another reason for tears is the changing of the family unit as her kids get older. Jo is having to prepare herself for Empty nest syndrome.
She said: “The whole ‘empty nest’ thing is becoming more of a reality. It was the worst feeling in the world when India left home and went to uni. I was in floods of tears dropping her off. Coco has got two more years at home and then she’ll be going off to university, and I’m already panicking about it. Any parent will know that impending sense of doom when you’re shopping for kitchen utensils and feeling like you’re doing a funeral procession around Ikea. The drive to uni and saying goodbye is awful, followed by the horrible feeling of heading home knowing they won’t be there. I do know they’ll come back, though.”
Despite turning 60, Jo is still very much heading out and about this Summer to music festivals, but it is parties closer to home she now enjoys.
She explained: “Festivals are great, but my favourite parties are the ones we have at our house. They’re a whole weekend event. We have DJ decks, lighting and candles, and it’s so much fun. The day after, about 40 of us go to the Super Sausage, our local transport cafe, and have a fry-up. Then it’s back to ours for films and a curry in the evening. I adore those weekends.”
* The September issue of woman&home is on sale July 24. Jo Whiley is on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds each Monday to Thursday, 7-9pm.
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