The One Show legend Alex Jones: "It seems there’s no ceiling on what women can do or how long they can be on TV now"

The One Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Alex Jones on a pink background blowing out candles on a cupcake that has candles with the numbers 2 and 0

BBC/Elisabeth Hoff

Published: Friday, 14 August 2026 at 9:30 am

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

Alex Jones began presenting The One Show in 2010, and is now a comforting daily presence for more than two million viewers, alongside her rotating team of co-hosts, including Roman Kemp, Vernon Kay, JB Gill, Clara Amfo, Lauren Laverne and Angellica Bell. They bring celebrity interviews, feel-good stories and plenty of banter to weeknight television.

Ad

Ahead of The One Show’s 20th anniversary on August 14, which the BBC is celebrating with a special hour-long episode, the presenter shares her earliest TV memories, the piece of advice she lives by, and why she has her local drama teacher to thank for her success.

What’s the view from your sofa?

We live in a home that we call "care home chic." We bought it from a lady who’d lived there for around 50 years and she last redecorated in 1976, before I was born. We’ve inherited these tapestry sofas. We’ve also got a table that used to be a stretcher in the Second World War, so the living room is not our style at the moment, but it’s cosy.

What’s your snack of choice while watching TV?

I’ve fallen into that middle-aged lull where every evening ends with herbal tea and some dark chocolate. That’s where I am in life and I’m quite happy.

What's your first TV memory?

When I was around three, Mum would put me in front of the TV to watch Play School when she’d make my lunch. I also watched Tickle on the Tum and Button Moon. Those programmes you watch when you're really little stay with you. I remember thinking, "Those presenters play all day for a living, maybe I could do that." And here we are.

Is there an unsung hero who helped you get to where you are?

My drama teacher unlocked something in me. She told me that even though I was shy, when it came to ad-libbing in a class, I wasn’t shy at all. She showed me that even though I’m shy I can still be confident. She changed my perception of what was possible.

Alex Jones and Vernon Kay presenting The One Show from the studio while sitting on green sofas and looking at the camera with a TV screen behind them that says The One Show with a red background

Alex Jones and Vernon Kay presenting The One Show. Ray Burmiston

Is there a piece of advice you live by?

Always do the job to the best of your ability, whether it's 30,000 people watching or three million.

How do you navigate the work-life balance?

The thing I’m most proud of is being able to balance motherhood with a pretty full-on job [Jones has three children, Teddy, Kit and Annie]. They’re things I always wanted and I feel incredibly lucky to have both. The biggest challenge is making sure I’m present enough for my children.

My husband [insurance broker Charlie Thomson] is amazing. He deals a lot with hanging around, but we’ve found a routine and we make it work. My boss also has young children, so we’ve got each other's backs. That makes a lot possible.

Who’s been your favourite person to present alongside?

There’s no reason why it should work but Roman Kemp and I get on incredibly well. We find each other really funny, he’s good at his job and he’s a nice boy. Even though he grew up with famous parents and I had the opposite, we have similar family values, so there’s a common ground there.

What’s something that would surprise people about The One Show?

I think people often forget it’s live because it’s so polished. I enjoy moments where things go a little bit wrong – when Sheridan Smith and Stephen Fry got stuck in the lift. I also did a segment with rescue dogs and had to carry on while this little puppy was sick all over my lap. You get to flex that live telly muscle. It keeps you agile.

How has the broadcasting landscape changed since you started out?

It seems there’s no ceiling on what women can do or how long they can be on TV now. It feels like we've got a healthier workplace culture. Guests know they're not going to be stitched up with us, that’s why they keep coming back.

Watch The One Show Monday-Friday at 7pm on BBC One, with a special one-hour special on 14 August.

Ad

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Jessica Phillips

Ad

Ad

Subscribe for £1 per week

Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.

Subscribe now

Loading...

Ad

Loading...