Alex Jones Jonathan Meets...

These are the leafy suburbs of Chiswick, west London.

I'm here to meet an old pal of mine.

We're both from South Wales,

and I'd like to think I helped her on her way to TV stardom.

Only joking. She's a wonderful talent,

and ideally suited for The One Show.

Charlotte Alexandra Jones was born in Ammanford in 1977,

the daughter of bank manager Mary, and sales executive Alun.

She was educated locally, through the Welsh language,

and was a keen dancer.

After studying Film, Theatre and TV at Aberystwyth University,

she joined the TV industry as a researcher.

However, it was as a presenter that she shone,

with early appearances on S4C children's shows and other programmes,

including the Jonathan Chat Show.

Alex Jones.

In 2010, she got her big break as the new face on The One Show,

and she's been there ever since.

She's currently expecting her first child with husband Charlie Thompson,

who she married last year.

Alex has got the builders in renovating her house,

builders from Swansea,

so we've arranged to meet outside the Bull's Head Pub,

on the bank of the River Thames, one of her favourite spots.

So you can't get more English than that.

And here she is!

Alex Jones. Hello!

Hi, darling, you all right? Very well, how are you?

Good to see you. Looking gorgeous! Thank you. Look at this!

I know, starting to show now.

Starting to show now. So, hey, lovely spot, lovely spot.

Shall we go for a little walk?

Come on, let's go, let's walk and talk. Come on.

Chiswick's a lovely area. Did you specifically pick it?

Well, I think lots of Welsh people gravitate naturally towards Chiswick,

because it's one of the most western points in London,

so it's quick access to the M4.

When I arrived here, I didn't know anybody at all.

It does feel like home now, yeah.

Everything seems to be going absolutely fantastic for you.

Your little one on the way, recently married, job going great,

renovating your new house.

Do you actually sit there and go...

God, and pinch yourself?

I do. I mean, it's been a long journey, but everything has,

as you said, come together.

And it's really difficult to have it all, but, I think,

at this point in my life, I do pinch myself,

because I think we've just got the balance right.

Just got married, very happy.

As you say, baby on the way,

that we didn't know we'd be lucky enough to have.

And the job going good, my dream job.

Every day I feel incredibly lucky, really.

There we are. Go on, where you going to take me now for brekkie?

Well, there's a lovely little spot just up the road here.

They do a lovely brunch and a good coffee,

so we'll try there, shall we? Let's go.

You're a very proud Carmarthenshire girl, Ammanford girl...

Yeah. Why did you get married in Cardiff Castle and not back home?

It took us ages to find the right place.

Then my sister said, "Try the castle."

Went to the castle, perfect.

You put your own vows into your wedding vows.

What kind of vows? Is that allowed?

I don't know.

But it's your last chance, isn't it?

Yeah. So what were the specific vows?

So I thought, right, Charlie's main failing, was that he's very late.

All the time, he cannot be on time.

Good match, then. Hey, I'm not as bad as he is.

If you think I'm bad, you should try living with him!

We can't go anywhere until an hour after we're supposed to be there!

So I thought, right, this is my last chance to make a difference,

so, in our vows,

he had to vow to stop being so late and to work on it.

And take less time in shower.

Any other specific vows?

Well, obviously, it wasn't a one-way street.

No, I thought, if you can do it, what could he put in?

He likes the outdoors, so my vow was, I will try and embrace the outdoors,

and, this is the big one for me, develop patience.

OK. Now, you're the same, impatient!

Yes, you are! You're so impatient!

No, I'm not.

I've got better as well.

So, I had to get better, because between him being late,

and me being impatient, that leads to arguments.

Oh, it does, yeah. So we've had to make a pledge.

But, having worked with you, I know you're not the outdoor,

brave type who wants to do things.

All of a sudden, I see you getting involved in Sport Relief and charities.

I know! Tell me about hanging off a rock in Utah.

As part of the job, The One Show is very involved in Children in Need

and in Comic Relief and Sport Relief.

And I sort of knew, starting that job, my time was going to come.

They were going to ask me to do something ridiculous.

And, sure enough, the suggestion came,

would Alex like to climb a 1,000-foot rock in America,

which meant two nights sleeping out on the side of the rock, suspended.

I had no training in climbing whatsoever.

No. But like I do really often, I just said, "Yes."

Right, so where is it?

That's it there, this big pillar going up there, can you see? Oh, no.

No, I can't!

I don't know what to do, I'm not standing on anything!

All I genuinely want to do now is get off this wall.

But I will not be defeated!

It sounded really epic.

I know. And I think, you know, if you're going to do it...

And it was epic. It was epic. And if you're going to do it,

you've got to go for it.

And it took three full days.

It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

I've never been so glad to touch solid ground.

Because, of course, you're just suspended, for three days...

And the thing is, you could die.

Well, you could. That's another worry, I suppose.

Thanks for that, but... Yeah, you could easily die.

Yeah, you could easily die.

Then, from that, then, the next challenge which I think was

horrific, was the sailing one.

Exactly. So, two years later, they came back.

And I thought, oh, I could see them coming through the office,

and I sort of hid behind my desk!

And they said, "We've got a new one for you."

Great(!) And they said, this time,

we're thinking of getting you on a racing yacht.

Which meant nothing to me. I thought, that sounds nice.

Down the Towy? Well, I was thinking somewhere hot.

You have to literally brace yourself against everything.

It's pretty impossible to put anything away, or even get to bed.

This challenge was truly dangerous.

It had a lot of jeopardy.

At times, I have never felt fear like it.

Can you imagine, the Irish Sea in March?

I mean, I'm cold at the best of times, I couldn't speak,

I couldn't feel anything.

And the waves just washed...

They had to tie us to the side of the boat, because it was that dangerous.

I'd rather do the rock.

Yeah, the rock. Looking back, the rock was more

pleasant than the boat.

So, this year, supposedly, you've got an excuse not to do anything.

This is why I got pregnant. That's the reason.

So I don't have to go sailing and I don't have to go rock climbing!

I'll get pregnant!

Time now to see just how much money your amazing challenge has raised.

Are you ready? I think so.

OK. We can now reveal that you raised an incredible...

?1,281,476!

You know, both challengers, I've raised nearly 4 million.

And that is a life-changing amount of money for so many families.

And then they send you over there,

and suddenly you're in the middle of it,

and you're meeting families and children.

And you can be with... I was with a set of twins on the first day of filming.

Beautiful twins.

And the parents, they had nothing.

They were trying to make us a cup of tea, but actually they didn't have

water, and you couldn't drink it, because it was infested with all sorts.

The next day, we went back to finish filming,

and the twins had died of HIV.

It's just the most horrific thing.

And it doesn't get any easier.

After you come home, it stays with you for months.

In three...

Three trips to Africa,

I don't think I've ever seen a little boy look so sick.

I mean, it seems so unfair, at two and a half years old.

If only he had maybe that net, just to prevent the malaria,

it would be a start.

There's no way, then, you can say no to doing these challenges when

you've seen first-hand the people affected.

Thank you. Thank you!

You're on telly five nights a week, right?

Are you conscious of your fashion?

You have a quirky look about you, haven't you? A quirky look!

What does that mean now, Jonathan Davies?

A quirky look! It's just your own style.

Well, I think you've got to be aware of it.

But I never wear anything on television that is really expensive,

that people couldn't find on the high street.

Because I think the joy of watching television, for me as well, is,

you know, seeing a presenter wearing something,

and knowing I can go and get it on the weekend.

So it's all very much high street stuff,

but of course you put a bit of thought into it.

Because it's part of the job, I suppose.

Are you also a shopaholic, are you? I'm not a shopaholic.

In fact, I've gone off shopping a bit, since doing the job.

Because it becomes kind of part of your everyday life,

thinking about what to wear. You must feel the same?

Yeah, because if you wear one thing on television

and people remember it, you can't wear it again. Exactly.

So you have a big team behind you?

Yeah, we do have... I do have a stylist, which is lovely. I haven't.

Haven't you? As you can see. Well, you've done such a good job, see?

I've made an effort today, I've made an effort today.

And when I talk about fashion, what was Strictly like?

Well, Strictly was amazing. I mean, it's a very unique experience.

Four months of really hard graft.

Right. I mean, it might not look it on the television, but, actually,

doing eight hours of dancing a day is pretty hard when you're doing a

full-time job. You know, it's...

I knew I was never going to be a professional dancer.

Some people go on it, and they get really obsessed, they think,

this is it, I'm going to become Darcey Bussell.

Well, you're not. So you might as well just enjoy it.

So I went in thinking, I'll give it a good crack.

Enjoyed it, got to the semifinals,

even though I was the most uncoordinated person.

I remember, the first time my dad said,

"How long is this going to go on for, Alex?

"You're spoiling it for me now, I'm nervous!"

But it was a brilliant...

It was a brilliant experience.

But, erm...

I was glad when it was done as well, just to get back to normal.

I know. Right, OK, we've got a...

This is brilliant, this place. A vintage shop here,

so let's go and see if we can pick something up for your house.

Yeah, OK. This is a great place, this is.

MUSIC PLAYS

Anything that catches your eye here or not?

I love this sort of stuff, do you?

You're bit confused by this style, aren't you?

No, no, I've been dragged around plenty of these places,

I just don't get excited about it, you know? Why?

It's amazing, you can find loads of different bits and pieces.

Yeah, lovely. You think it's overpriced, don't you?

Good chair, good, red chair. You know?

?45. ?45 for a red chair.

I don't get it. We'll go down here, I'll show you some nice lights.

Try and interest me, try and interest me. OK.

What are we looking for now?

Right, we need lights to go over the island in the kitchen.

What do you reckon, these are quite nice, aren't they?

We need three, you see?

That's three there. So...

225... Copper's very in.

Is that for all of them, or for each?

No, each. The bulbs are ?35!

They are quirky, quirky...

Is it a yes from Jonathan?

I'll have to see, what colour's your island...?

It's a French blue.

I'll tell you what, I mean, there's loads of options here.

I'll show you another three options now.

Don't think that's French blue. Three options?

No, that's copper.

You always wanted to be a presenter, ever since you were a little girl.

Why is that? I think it's because,

ever since my mother used to put me in front of the television,

when she was making lunch or something for us,

and I'd been watching children's television, and I just thought,

well, they look like they're playing all the time.

So that looks like a brilliant job to me.

Because you went to Aberystwyth. Yes. Studied drama.

I did. Theatre, Film and Television.

With a view of working behind the camera, really.

Right. Maybe producing or directing.

But, I think, secretly, I always harboured a little want to present,

but I just didn't think it was going to happen.

You did your finals in Magaluf, of all places?

Yes, in Magaluf.

Not my parents' proudest moment.

They were looking for a team of Welsh people to take part in sort of

a dating game show on the beach.

And it was happening in Majorca.

So they said, it's happening in May.

I thought, "Oh, that's the same time as my finals."

Mam and dad were beside themselves.

So I did four of my final exams out in Magaluf.

So, the day before the exam, I'd be on a catamaran, over there, filming,

trying to look at Shakespeare.

And then all the rest, who'd had few cocktails,

would chuck all my notes in the sea,

and that would be the end of that, and I thought,

"Oh, no, my degree is up the spout."

Please be careful with Alex's bikini, please!

But we did the exams, and it was really bizarre,

because I was in a gymnasium, as you would be, in Wales, on my own,

just a little desk, with Davina McCall timing me

and doing little links, as she does, on the side.

So it was a bit bizarre, really.

That was the first time I met her,

and we still can't believe now that that actually happened.

That kind of was synonymous with your early career.

Because you've done some crap shows, haven't you?

Oh, Jonathan...! Crap jobs.

You said it!

So, started as a researcher, but, yeah, dogsbody, basically.

And there were a few...

Yeah, there were a few mishaps.

So the first company I started working for suggested, they went,

"Look, you might be better off on camera. So let's give that a go."

I mean, they were very patient, to be fair.

And instantly I thought, well, this is a way better laugh.

Less responsibility.

But actually, I wasn't very good at it at the beginning.

I wasn't very good at all.

But, you know, beneath the exterior of quite ditzy and very laid-back,

I'm quite conscientious, really, always have been.

So I would watch everything back and think, how can I improve on that?

And it took a long time, but I worked really hard at it,

because once I was in it, I knew that that's what I wanted to do.

So those ten years of plotting, really, up until The One Show, you know...

I had a real focus in mind.

I wanted to be on network television.

It's been an interesting path, your career path.

It has. So, obviously, we start on a show together, a chat show.

You, me and Nigel Owen, the international referee.

A dangerous combination that they gave us.

Yeah. Did you enjoy that experience?

I loved it. Because I think, for me, that was a real turning point.

It was the first time that I was doing something that was, sort of...

A bit more adult and entertaining.

I was into adult entertainment, but that's all a different thing.

But I loved it. Nobody was more excited then Dad.

I think that was his proudest moment.

I mean, forget The One Show.

Go on, Dad! You know, Jonathan!

That's amazing!

But it was great, we enjoyed having you there.

It was very short lived, because...

It was! All of a sudden, right, The One Show,

Christine Bleakley was leaving and there was rumours in the backroom...

Yeah, well, what happened, I got this phone call, out of the blue,

from somebody called Gareth.

And he said, "Hiya, Alex, my name's Gareth Collet.

"I'm ringing from the BBC in London and we were wondering whether

"you could come up and see us about The One Show."

I thought, there's somebody winding me up here.

So I put the phone down.

Anyway, he rang back, and said,

"Why are you putting the phone down on me for?

I said, "I think you're making it up."

He said, "No, no, no, we are actually looking for a female presenter."

And before I knew it, it was like a whirlwind.

I was in the middle of this thing that I didn't realise

I was going to be part of. But, funnily...

Some part of me knew it felt right.

Hello, and welcome to The One Show with Alex Jones...

And Jason Manford, and it's our first day.

It's exciting.

They were a bit shocked, at first, by the accent.

And I've never been able to hide my accent.

You know, and I don't want to, it's who I am.

But, by now, people have got used to it. But it takes a while.

You know, you've got superstar guests on.

How do you cope with them? Do you get starstruck?

No, I don't really get starstruck, never have.

I think that's what enables me to do the job.

I think people get confused with our show, you see,

especially the Americans.

Because they come on, and you ask them a bit about their album or

their film, and then you ask them about bird feed.

And they look at you like you've got three heads.

Exactly, yeah. You know, Bon Jovi, the other day,

he was looking at me as if to say, I mean...

I've got a garden, but I've never seen it.

But our viewers are brilliant.

That's what keeps the show going.

And it's what keeps us as presenters going, knowing that...

There's a loyal viewership, and they feel like family.

I mean, now that we've announced the baby,

there's been so many lovely viewers that have knitted blankets and

booties, and that's lovely.

You haven't changed at all, have you, really?

No. My parents would be the first to slap me down. I know, I know.

SHE SPEAKS WELSH

That's what I'd have!

So, on your drive in, you do your reading, and...?

Yeah, normally

I'd read my brief on the way in, so that, by the time I got there then,

into the meeting, we all knew who the guests are,

what we need to talk about.

Do you get nervous at all? Or adrenaline when you come in?

Not really. I mean, I used to, at the beginning,

but I think it's more of an excitement than a nervousness now.

How do you cope with pressure then? Do you feel any pressure or not?

I do feel pressure, because it's the flagship show on the BBC,

and there's always a big audience, there's millions watching you.

And, because they see you every day,

and they're inviting you into their lounge,

it's like being a guest in anybody's house, isn't it?

You've got to behave yourself, you've got to watch what you say.

Do you like the London life? I do, actually, yes.

I always wanted to live in London at some point, so I think,

in the back of my mind, it was part of the plan.

I've never been to this BBC building. Haven't you?

I've worked for them for nearly 20 years, but never to this one.

This is the green room. Oh, look at these stars! Look at these stars!

Yeah. So, this is a me with a variety of...

It's amazing, isn't it? ..of people.

Hillary Clinton's there.

Keith Richards, isn't it? Keith Richards, who, by rights,

should be dead, but is very much functioning.

He looks dead there, to be honest. He was actually a really nice bloke, though.

I know, he's mad, isn't he? Elton John.

Looking a bit worse for wear there, to be fair.

Kate Winslet and me and Grimmy.

Neil Diamond. We sang with Neil Diamond, that was a shambles.

# Sweet Caroline...

# Oh, oh, oh...

We also sang with Stevie Wonder, and he said to me,

"I sure hope you're pretty."

That was nice of him, wasn't it? Lovely.

And then, down here, we've got the star room,

where we sometimes put our guests.

And Matt's dressing room, and then my dressing room.

Alex Jones! My...

Alex Jones, oh, look at the shoes.

There's a mess in here, now, though.

Mess! But there seems to be a cake here.

See, it's funny, you never know what might get delivered

on a day-to-day basis. Look at that.

To be fair, I'd have tidied up, if I'd knew we were coming.

Yeah, of course. I've known you too long now.

Right, well, I need to go to the meeting now.

You can have that, look.

Take it, have a cuppa in the canteen, down that way.

Look at that, thank you very much. See you in a bit.

Cheers, Al!

Al, do me a favour, don't put the "now" on the front of it.

No, OK. Chatty. Yep. Yep.

You see Matt and Alex behind, they're just doing their last

rehearsal, half hour before the show.

And kind of emotional day for the BBC, with the memorial for

Terry Wogan and Ken Bruce coming on, so it's going

to be an interesting programme.

Hello, and welcome to The One Show, with Matt Baker...

And Alex Jones. Now, promising sun, sea and a whole load of secrets,

our guests in the studio are the crime-fighting double act from

ITV's new police drama, The Level.

Noel Clarke and Lindsey Coulson are here.

Evening!

First though, in the words of the late, great Sir Terry Wogan,

let's just pause for thought...

It's really hard, isn't it,

to get your head round the fact that he's been gone eight months?

I know! He still feels very present, doesn't he?

Especially coming up to Children in Need.

Children in Need especially, Proms In The Park was another thing,

because I got there, and I was just... Terry's not here!

As you can see, it's all started, everything going well.

Other guests are coming on. Snuck on the audience, I've been thrown off.

So this is the only way I get on The One Show, I think.

Well, that's it for today. It is.

Thank you very much to our guests, to Ken Bruce,

to Noel and to Lindsey.

The Level, there you are, on ITV, Friday night, nine o'clock.

On tomorrow's show, brace yourselves,

because we are heading back to the boardroom,

Lord Alan Sugar will be right here.

He's a softie, really. But to play us out, one of Sir Terry Wogan's

favourites, this is Ward Thomas with Cartwheels.

Thanks, girls.

# I'm beside you at the mirror... #

Oh, thank you!

What a reception!

Hello. So, how do you think...?

Smooth show tonight? Yeah, I think the show was fine, you know.

The guests were really nice.

It always helps, doesn't it? When they're talkative, you know.

Yes. Bit emotional, wasn't it...?

Really emotional, with Sir Terry.

I thought it was fitting to have Ken Bruce on,

and he spoke brilliantly about the memorial.

Do you still get a buzz out of it? Yeah, definitely.

You still feel that adrenaline after you've finished the show.

I don't think it'll ever go away, actually, with a live show.

I snuck on, as well, snuck in the audience.

Yeah! Did people see you at home?

I think my daughter text me, going, "Just seen you on The One Show."

I've made it now, yeah. So, how do you unwind now?

Where are you taking me? Well, I am taking you now to a little

place I know, Jonathan...!

On Greek Street, it's not too far, still in central London,

it's called L'Escargot.

Right, have a look at the menu.

Come on, then. Have a look at the menu, like we're abroad, on holiday.

Coq au vin? Scallop and prawn tempura.

Chicken schnitzel.

Is it to your liking? Any food's to my liking. And me.

We've had lots of memorable nights here.

But here, in particular, was one of the first places I came, actually,

when I started on the show.

Very posh, though, isn't it? Very posh. Well, it's not that posh.

Isn't it? Well, it's fish fingers and chips, ultimately.

Yeah, posh fish fingers and chips.

You won't get them in chip shop, let me tell you now.

So, six years now on The One Show, right?

Mmm-hmm. Seems to be going a very, very well.

But I've noticed you've done the fertility documentary. Yeah.

Shop Well For Less and Tumble and Sport Relief.

Is that where the next move for Alex Jones is?

Well, I think it's hard to know.

I'm really happy doing my day-to-day job.

And I think the toughest thing in this industry is actually sustaining longevity.

People say to me, a lot, are you looking at entertainment,

and other big Saturday night shows?

It's not about that... You've done a few. I've done a couple.

Did you like it? I absolutely loved it.

But, you know, it's stressful, a Saturday night,

live show on BBC One, comes with a lot of stress.

I really enjoyed the challenge of it.

But, I have to say,

it's harder to keep the standard on something that's daily and in

somebody's lounge every day, in a sense.

Yeah, yeah. For me, the biggest challenge is to

make what we do on a daily basis relevant, enjoyable,

and to stay there for as long as possible.

They'll have to wheel me off with my zimmer frame.

So what about, now, you've got the important little matter of a little

baby coming.

Yep. Will you have to think then of the life balance, with work and...?

I think so. Especially the early years.

Ultimately, family is first.

So this, to me, is the biggest challenge and the most important one.

So, you've got a Kiwi husband, father.

A Welsh wife, mother.

Yeah. Where do you see yourself in a few years?

Is it New Zealand, Wales or London?

It's hard. I think Charlie and I are both

quite alarmed that our baby is going to be born in England.

Because he's thinking, I want an All Black.

He would still very much like to go back to New Zealand, but, I think,

you know, quietly, we both know that's not going to happen.

I see us going back to Wales at some point.

But you've just got to enjoy and embrace the life you've got.

This is where we met, this is where our son or daughter will be born.

And, for now, it suits.

Whether it suits in five years, maybe not.

You never know what's round the corner.

You've just got to live day by day.

There we are, thanks, Jonathan. Nice to speak to you.

Yeah, nice to see you.

All the best, lovely. Thanks so much, it's been lovely.

Yeah, it's been a great day, thanks very much. Ta-ra! Cheers. Ta-da!

It was lovely to spend the day with Alex today,

and it's great to see her so happy in work and in life.

She's genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet,

and one of the most naturally talented.

A Welsh gem. I'm so happy that the nation have taken her to their hearts.

It's interview week.

When I look in your eyes, I think, "Where's the energy?"

You're not exactly a forceful character.

I don't know what you're doing here.