Jo Whiley, a much-loved radio DJ and TV host, reveals that her life has been full of ups and downs this year.
After turning 60, Jo Whiley claims she is choosing not to slow down and that milestones on birthdays 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.
She remarked, “Another birthday isn’t a big deal for me because I don’t consider age to be important,” when she turned 60 this month. You genuinely don’t want it to be something, but it does because everyone keeps asking and focusing on it. Being only one year older than I was last year and one year younger than I will be next year makes for an odd situation. There is a desire to reach specific milestones in response to one’s age. I have no idea what to say because people focus too heavily on it.
You wake up the following day, have a birthday, and carry on. Nothing has changed since I’m running my radio show, working out, and taking care of the kids. People used to retire earlier than they do now, and the idea is now mind-blowing. “There’s probably a focus.
She continued, “Your body undoubtedly changes as you get older, and things don’t look the same. One of my biggest revelations is how your skin changes. I work out, which has grown increasingly important, but no matter how many weights I lift, I can’t get rid of the papery texture on my skin or the skin that hangs off my arms. Why was that not disclosed to me? Apart from covering up and wearing long sleeves, I’m not entirely sure what the solution is. I’m terrible at self-care and moisturising my body all the time, but I’m not good at 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 for the time being, she and her family have had to wrap their heads around some significant news involving her father, an ex-electrician.
Since 1991, she has been married to 60-year-old music businessman Steve Morton, who is also the parents of India, 32, Cassius, 26, and Coco, 16 respectively.
Jo stated, “It’s likely that the things that keep my feet on the ground are the same as what everyone else’s.” All of this is involved in dealing with parents who are getting older. I need to take care of my dad and support my mother because he just received a Parkinson’s diagnosis. You stay grounded in those everyday circumstances of life.
It was a good idea to get a diagnosis because we had been having a suspicion about something happening with my dad for some time, and we are now attempting to understand it all. He is still perplexed by the situation, which is still in its early stages. That helps you stop worrying about garbage and puts everything in perspective. In the real world, those issues will be handled by everyone. That’s true for my generation, which means having more obligations and people to look after.
She felt emotional after hearing about her father’s passing, and she frequently displays this side.
She explained that because of her sensitive nature, it’s difficult for her to hide her emotions.
It’s helpful to let us know how you’re feeling. I can’t recall a life without crying. I probably would if I could take a magic pill to stop myself and I would cried less. I will suddenly collapse for what seems like no reason because I cry when I’m tired.
Someone will inquire as to what is happening, but I’m just exhausted. I’ll cry while I’m driving or swimming if I don’t want anyone to know how I’m feeling, and I have to make an effort to avoid ingesting a lot of water! Sometimes, your life and head are so intertwined that the only way to move on is to let the tears flow.
The family unit’s alteration as her children get older is another cause of tears. Jo must now get ready 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.”
Jo turns 60 this Summer and still enjoys going out and about to music festivals, but it’s more up to her to enjoy the parties.
She continued, “Festivals are great, but our house’s ones are my favorite parties. They take place over the course of a weekend. It’s a lot of fun and includes DJ decks, lighting, and candles. About 40 of us visit the Super Sausage, our neighborhood transportation cafe, for a fry-up the following day. Then, in the evening, it’s back to ours for movies and a curry. I adore those weekend getaways.
* On July 24th, you can purchase the September issue of Woman&Home. Every Monday through Thursday, between 9 and 9 p.m., Jo Whiley is available on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
