Since its debut in 2004, the X Factor has become a household name in the UK. A former contestant has now spoken out about what actually happens in the show’s backstage scenes.
A previous X Factor star reveals the truth about the show(Image: Ken McKay/Rex Features)
The X Factor has been on our screens for many years, showcasing fresh talent every year. For many Brits, it’s a yearly tradition – that one show we can all get behind when it returns. But one former contestant has now broken his silence, and what he says about the show might just make you see it in a different way.
Wagner, who became a wildcard favourite back in 2010, didn’t quite make the final – but he still managed to leave his mark until he was booted out of the quarter final. That season saw Matt Cardle crowned as the winner and One Direction launching into stardom.
READ MORE: Teeth whitening solution ‘removes stains’ quickly in time for summer holidaysREAD MORE: Doctor tells Brit dad to ‘carry on’ as he loses two stone in two months with one changeREAD MORE: ‘Saviour in a bottle’ Elizabeth Arden anti-ageing cream slashed to £44 in deal stack
Its been over a decade since he starred on the show(Image: Getty Images)
More than ten years later, Wagner has made strong assertions about what actually happened in the background. He claims that the producers were the ones calling the shots rather than the mentors.
He asserted that “the judges are actors.” Nothing was ever true in the reality TV show, but everything was planned out in advance, and Louis and I only spoke to each other for the cameras. Additionally, he continued to say that Louis, his vocal coach, lacked a mentorship.
Critics launched an online campaign to win the show as a way to “p*ss off Simon” while he was still on it. However, after a sing-off with Mary Byrne, he was chosen to finish in sixth place.
Continue reading the article.
“I’m sure the producers would pick the songs for us,” he said(Image: Ken McKay/Rex Features/Talkback Thames)
He went on to say that his vocal coach felt more like a mentor than Louis Walsh and he’s not even convinced the judges even picked the songs. “I’m sure the producers would pick the songs for us,” he said
And it’s alleged that the criticism is also scripted. Wagnerer claimed that producers would provide feedback to the vocal coaches before airing it to the judges.
“They would stare at the camera, but occasionally they would pause and read the script.” Some people would appear differently than others”! he stated
He also suggested the panel – once made up of Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh – slowly changed into “anyone can be a judge”.
He believes the show has changed and allow anyone to be a judge(Image: Ken McKay/Rex Features)
Because they couldn’t rely on the judges to be witty or quick thinking, the script was written to keep the entertainment going.
Simon claimed that Simon’s attempt to derail the show had failed at the time. We’ve given this show back to the public because there were people trying to derail it.
But Wagner says otherwise “It’s not democracy, it’s showbusiness”, he said. “They knew that they wanted to promote One Direction and everybody else were just extras in the play.”
There is no evidence that the votes were rigged, despite the claim that he claimed a merchandising staff member informed him that he had led the vote when he was sent home.
Despite the claims, there is no suggestion the votes was rigged(Image: Ken McKay/Rex Features)
Wagner also revealed Louis faked the pair’s interactions. Louis kept mispronouncing his name in each episode, saying it was Wag-nah rather than the right Vawg-ner.
Louis and I joked it was funny. Wagner explains. He said, “I’m gonna call you Wagner all the time, and you’re gonna call me Louis, Vawg-ner.” He claimed that Louis had the idea for that and it was fun. It was wise.
However despite his claims, it is clear The X Factor helped to launch household names like Little Mix, Olly Murs and Alexandra Burke. But over the years, stories emerged about the show’s darker side – with some former stars alleging scenes were staged to boost ratings.
Wagner made the most of his fame by generating money from personalized video messages for fans despite not taking the top spot. “From the videos I would get £100, 000 a year”, he said.
He is unrecognisable from his X Factor days(Image: @wagner_xfactor)
But he made a career change and tried to perform a hair transplant in Brazil when the money started to run dry. He eventually returned to the UK and founded his band Kings with Wings: The Wagner Rock Band, a name derived from his passion for birdwatching.
He claimed that despite having numerous bookings, “I felt so uneasy when singing She Bangs because my God, that song is stupid but people still enjoy it.”
Continue reading the article.
Wagner is currently compiling his own setlist, which includes songs by legendary artists like Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones.
Timeless Summer Spa Day promotion
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
As Russia scurried across Ukraine with a barrage of missiles, drones, and bombs, at least five people were killed, according to officials, and more than 20 were hurt.
Russian air defenses shot down and neutralized 87 drones and seven missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force, who said on Saturday that Russia had fired 215 missiles and drones overnight.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov referred to the attack as “the most powerful” assault on the northeastern city of Kharkiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, claiming that at least three people had died and 17 others, including two children, had been injured.
He claimed that four guided bombs, two missiles, and four guided bombs were fired at the city of 1.4 million people just 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Russian border as early as dawn.
At 4:40 am (01:40 GMT), Terekhov wrote on Telegram that “drones are still circling above” as air raid sirens scurried across the city. Residential structures and the infrastructure of the civilian world were severely damaged.
A missile strike on Thursday that injured 18 people, including four children, also left the northeastern city.
An increase in attacks
Russian shelling also impacted the city of Kherson in the south, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin, who confirmed that a couple was killed and residential structures were damaged. Two women, 45 and 88, were hurt in separate attacks in Dnipro.
At least six people were killed and dozens hurt on Friday when Russia launched an aerial bombardment across Ukraine, according to officials. The number of victims from Friday’s attacks has increased to seven thanks to the additional bodies found by rescuers in the city of Lutsk on Saturday.
Moscow claimed Friday’s assault was carried out in response to “terrorist acts” committed by Ukraine against Russia, claiming that targets were placed on military installations.
Following a Ukrainian drone attack last weekend that damaged nuclear-capable military aircraft at Russian airbases deep behind the front lines, including in Siberia, the Russian attack surge comes as a result of that incident. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has said that the attack will be retaliated for using smuggled drones, which Kyiv reportedly planned for 18 months.
During talks in Istanbul on Monday, Ukraine pushed for a 30-day ceasefire and presented its most recent proposal. Moscow has disputed calls for a truce, saying that the conflict must be fought for the sake of the country.
According to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, “for us, it is an existential issue.” It is “related to our national security, our country’s future, and our national interests.”
Kyiv has criticized Putin’s demands on Ukraine to leave four partially occupied regions, abandon its NATO ambitions, and halt all Western military cooperation. Instead, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the United States, and himself have called for a three-way summit.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
Scott Mullen
Hampden Park, Scotland: BBC Sport Scotland
At Hampden Park, Steve Clarke’s Scotland made their final auf Wiedersehen before heading off to give Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary what they had at Euro 2024, kicking off with a long drive of 165 miles.
By the time they had finished their farewell following a disappointing and occasionally chaotic 2-2 draw, those watching could probably predict what would happen in the coming weeks.
At the previous Euros, they had already witnessed it all. The sticker album and the T-shirt had been purchased by them.
That same feeling persisted in the air in Glasgow once more after a year. Clarke’s Scotland was bleak, weak, and meek against the blazing average Iceland.
The snarling Scots who had stung Spain’s noses were nowhere to be seen. No whiff of the streetwise duo that sucked Croatia and Poland into one day last November.
More questions than answers have been left over from another Hampden night.
Although Clarke may have won two major championships, there have also been some real raw alarm moments that have given it a dose of gravity and reality.
The most recent one was a sucker in the area. Don’t be cocky boys; remember that you’re from Scotland and that you’re not eligible for World Cups. You go down.
Although Scotland’s preparations for the 2026 global showpiece do not begin until September, this was intended to be the first step in the right direction.
Only a small portion of the horror narrative.
The Scotland head coach didn’t arrive until an hour after full-time on Friday to comment on what had just happened.
Clarke maintained his tone and mood, as usual.
A lackluster start led to disappointment. Cieran Slicker, who had already experienced his worst nightmares after Angus Gunn’s premature departure, was clearly insecure, so there was sympathy for him.
There was a low-key optimism that Liechtenstein on Monday will be better the next time.
It couldn’t possibly have been much worse, in all fairness. In front of the world’s 74th-best team, Scotland were unoriginal and obliterate in defense.
Slicker, Ipswich Town’s backup, will be cursing his shoddy kick-out seconds after coming on that caused the opener. He will undoubtedly be replaying the goals two and three that he was unable to grasp.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
This was a Scotland team that could not inspire enough to defeat an Icelandic team that lost 3-1 to Kosovo at home in March, including two Serie A champions, a Coppa Italia final hero, and one other Premier League champion.
Yes, it was a friendly encounter, but a warning is sounding.
The Scots stopped any kind of momentum that had come from three victories on the spin three months prior when Greece defeated them 3-3 at home.
In reality, Clarke’s side has struggled more frequently than not in recent years, despite occasionally receiving more praise for their performances.
Their final 21 games resulted in four victories. In that time, 42 goals were scored and 42 against. resides in Iceland, Finland, Greece, and Northern Ireland.
It doesn’t evoke the charisma of a Scotland team that can do the job quickly. a team that is progressing.
Former Scotland international Steven Thompson said on BBC Scotland, “Steve Clarke could do no wrong if you go back only a very short while.”
How does Clarke proceed?
Where are Scotland under Clarke, Thompson is correct in this regard.
The former Kilmarnock and West Bromwich Albion manager, without a doubt, has had the best qualifying campaign for Scotland since the 1990s. After all, there are only two European Championships remaining.
Given how whimpering the Scots were each time, there was still a hollow feeling after both finals.
Germany’s fifth goal in Munich’s gruesome opening game had worn off as a result of the novelty of being there.
Clarke, who claimed there is a “75% chance” that he won’t renew his contract with the Scottish FA after the finals of the summer, is still eluded by a World Cup.
Some people are clamoring for that to be a 100% chance, according to a quick search on social media. Lastly, But after a friendly defeat, is that rational?
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
Scotland now has a group of players who are capable of playing in a qualifying group that includes Belarus, Greece, and Denmark. Would you subsidize their ability to get the job done with your mortgage?
Both Scotland’s forward James McFadden and Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes discussed momentum and its significance after the game. After three defeats, Clarke’s Liechtenstein team are now gearing up for their first game in Denmark.
Former Scotland defender Willie Miller said, “I think Steve Clarke will admit that it’s not good enough.”
You have to be honest with the fans, everyone, that that’s unacceptable, but I don’t see him changing any of his support for the players.
In reality, Clarke is unlikely to be able to guide Scotland through a qualifying campaign because nothing will ever happen in Liechtenstein. Despite the possibility of a second defeat, that opinion may change.
However, he should have enough credit in the bank, and he should have the desire to lead Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998.
We are likely moving into his final chapter, Clarke admits. How his team ends this international window and how he handles the upcoming days might have a significant impact on shaping his legacy as Scotland manager.
Jo Whiley, who is narrating a new National Rail guide about Britain’s biggest musical locations, discusses rock and roll nights, her 60th birthday, and swapping raves for wild swimming.
Jo admits she’s grateful to be making it to 60 – as some friends haven’t (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Kil)
Jo Whiley has been at the centre of popular music for 30 years, interviewing the biggest stars and discovering the hottest new talents. It’s made the Radio 2 favourite an oracle on bands, beats and beyond. As she gets ready to celebrate her 60th birthday this summer, Jo looks back on her exciting career, from partying with U2 to turning to Coldplay’s Chris Martin for advice – and speaking exclusively to OK!, shares what she really thinks about the big Oasis reunion.
“I don’t feel very old at all,” beams a glowing Jo, fresh from a day in the garden and a restorative massage. I still feel like I’m 17 or 27. Sixty – it’s a weird thing to get your head around. I’m alive and that’s the greatest thing. I’m healthy and I’m lucky to be here, because lots of people we’ve grown up with aren’t here any more.”
READ MORE: Nintendo release retro-inspired GameCube controller in time for Switch 2 release
Jo has been a fixture in the Beeb’s coverage of Glastonbury.
Radiating energy and happiness, Jo speaks with as much passion about music now as she did at the start of her career. She has become a powerful voice in the field while presenting one of the nation’s biggest shows, rising up through the ranks of radio.
“I’m so happy that I’m still working,” grins the mother-of-four. I never had a game plan, never had any wild ambition or intention. I’ve just had the absolute best of all of my opportunities while still running a radio show, playing these gigs, and attending festivals. I’m simply appreciative of how people still want me.
A champion for new music and a celebrator of vintage tunes, Jo says she’s delighted with the resurgence of 90s Britpop bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp, who were coming up in the industry at the time she was – and she’s enjoying reuniting with them.
Continue reading the article.
She says, “All these bands I knew 30 years ago are still being incredibly creative, and that’s lovely.” But also, I’m enjoying talking to them as an adult. When we were young, we were all awkward and just plain rude in our interactions. However, we can now engage in respectful conversation. It’s lovely. Because we’ve known each other for so long, we’re genuinely friends. We have a common ground.
Jo and youngest daughter Coco are among the lucky ones who’ve managed to bag tickets to see Oasis live this year – something Jo never thought she’d see. “I said Oasis would never get back together again, so I’m not going to predict anything!” she laughs.
The BBC R adio 2 DJ confesses turning 60 is ‘weird to get your head around’(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women of the Year)
Coco says, “I’m really excited about seeing them because she’s so excited about seeing them, and it’s kind of given me a renewed love of them too.” Everyone who attends will experience a lot of emotion, and it’ll be interesting to see how the boys are performing these days.
Over the decades, Jo has enjoyed incredible access to the world ’s biggest music icons, from George Michael to David Bowie. Looking back at some of her favourite deep dives, she says chatting to the Queen of Pop is among her top experiences.
“Interviewing Madonna at any point is always really enjoyable,” says Jo. “I really like her. She listens very carefully to what you ask her, and then she’ll contemplate her answer. Also, Bono is one of the dream storytellers, so any question you ever ask him will have some amazing anecdotes and will make you laugh at the end of it.”
Jo reveals some of her wildest nights out have come courtesy of Bono and his iconic band, U2″. She reveals that U2 have provided some of the best nights out I’ve ever had despite never being a huge socialiser. They showed us a lot of Dublin and showed us some great hospitality.
Letting loose at festivals is what Jo enjoys most now, but not in the ways she once did. Night raves are out and lake swimming is in for fitness fanatic Jo. “My idea of fun is getting up dead early and going swimming at Latitude,” she says. “I see people coming in after a great night out, and I’m there in my swimming costume ready to get in the water. I always make my gang get up early and come dipping with me at 8am, which they hate me for but it’s also very fun.”
Madonna is always an entertaining interview, says Jo(Image: Getty Images)
It’s all part of Jo’s fitness routine – something she’s grown passionate about in recent years. She turned to the gym to “save” herself from debilitating menopause symptoms – and earned some impressive abs in the process. “I go to the gym and see a trainer maybe once a week,” she says. “I’ve tried Reformer Pilates. I’m not a naturally stretchy person, but it’s good. As I got older, I was like, ‘I want to be strong and I want to be active.’ Exercise is just a huge part of my life.”
It sounds pretty intense to work in the DJ booth at her 90s anthem gigs all over the UK. She chuckles, “it’s physically grueling.” It’s like doing some kind of Jane Fonda workout for an hour and a half on stage, because I don’t just stand there – I get really involved in the songs. When you’re playing a game like Fatboy Slim, Pulp, or James, you can’t stand still. “It’s impossible.”
Inspired by lively legends such as Mick Jagger and Sting, Jo too wants to be able to rock out into her eighties”. She recalls seeing Sting in concert last year, and he was fantastic and amazingly fit. He looks incredible when you talk about having a body, being strong, and having a body.
“How do they do it? Since I’m only an hour and a half on stage, I’m really hurting afterward. It’s unbelievable how someone like Mick Jagger behaves in this manner! I guess you get to a point when you’re like, OK, right, all this debauchery and all that stuff, it’s got to stop because I’m not going to be here or in a fit state to enjoy the rest of my life”.
The radio host claims Bono and the U2 duo were a part of her wildest rock and roll nights.
Jo is never short of valuable advice, always surrounded by musical wizards who are full of wisdom. She counts Coldplay frontman Chris Martin as one of her close friends, and says he’s always on hand when she needs a pep talk. She says, “Chris is really good at dispensing advice, and he’s really good at handling things when I’ve had a difficult time or something goes on” whenever she needs it. He advises me to “just chill out.” He’s wise. Because they frequently resemble long poems, I can’t come up with any specific advice.
“Bono said the best piece of advice he’d been given was by Chrissie Hynde. She told him the best way to live is to make sure you live a long life and don’t die choking on your own vomit somewhere. So the smart thing to do is to get fit, look after yourself and enjoy a long life.”
Jo is undoubtedly doing that. She’s also enjoying a busy phase at work. Her most recent project involved taking National Rail to locations that have inspired massive music acts by traveling by train across the nation.
She explains that it’s encouraging people to travel to places where writers have found inspiration to write songs. “It’s really lovely things to do,” she says. I can remember taking the train with my friends to the Haçienda in Manchester, going to see New Order or Happy Mondays – bands that were key to my career.
Jo is narrating a new National Rail guide to places that have inspired huge musical acts(Image: Good Relations)
“Antony Szmierek, a new up and coming artist I love, has a song called The Great Pyramid Of Stockport , so I went there. I went to Denmark Street, where Elton John wrote Your Song , and visited the pub in Taylor Swift ’s song, The Black Dog . It’s been a real musical education.”
Jo Jo plans to kneel up at her Northamptonshire home in the summer of 2016 while her husband, music businessman Steve Morton, and their four children, India, 33, Jude, 26, Cassius, 24, and Coco, 16, are present.
Continue reading the article.
“I’m having a barn dance”, she reveals. I did it ten years ago, so I decided to do it again. Cowboy boots, gingham, and the rest will be present for a big old hoedown. Or maybe I’ll be Calamity Jane. I’m definitely wearing a skirt. People always dress up for the parties we have. We’ve got the most insane fancy dress emporium above the garage, with many boxes of costumes we’ve worn over the years. I might start a fancy dress boutique.
What will Jo do as she enters her seventh decade? Dreaming of more distant shores, Jo says, “More than anything, I want to do more travelling, because I never have time to go away. My greatest fear is that I won’t be able to see those locations, whether it’s climbing Mount Snowdon or visiting Japan or Canada. I must take action to bring it about.
Coleen and Wayne Rooney have had some rollercoaster times in their marriage – but as they prepare to celebrate their 12-year anniversary, a source claims they’ve ‘never been stronger’
Coleen has stood by her man through thick and thin(Image: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)
Wayne and Coleen Rooney were photographed looking more down in the dumps than loved-up on a pre-anniversary dinner date last week – but a source tells new they couldn’t be happier. The power couple tied the knot on 12 July 2008, with the priest stating that the future would have its “pleasures and pains, its joys and sorrows”.
Truer words were never spoken as the couple, both 39, have since found themselves embroiled in public cheating scandals, brushes with the law, shock job losses and, of course, the famous Wagatha Christie court battle with Rebekah Vardy. “They’ve had a lot of heartbreak and troubles,” our source said.
READ MORE: Shoppers praise ‘flattering’ and ‘comfortable’ swimsuit loved by This Morning’s Cat Deeley
Coleen and Wayne were childhood sweethearts(Image: Instagram/coleen_rooney)
They’ve had major ups and downs, but their bond remains strong
“Wayne has put his hands up and apologised for his fair share of them but they’ve made it through it all – a lot of people thought they wouldn’t. The Wagatha court case was another drama but it actually brought them closer together. Wayne was so supportive and that really meant a lot to Coleen. At the moment, their marriage has never been better or stronger.”
Over the years, the childhood sweethearts, who met on their local Croxteth estate as young teens, have remained united, if a little bruised at times. Former Manchester United ace Wayne was the trigger for most of the dramas, which started with allegations of him having a threesome behind Coleen’s back when she was pregnant with their firstborn son, Kai, in 2009.
Article continues below
He was then charged with drink-driving in 2017 after being pulled over by police with fellow party-goer Laura Simpson in the passenger seat beside him. Shortly after the arrest, Coleen took to Facebook to deliver a lengthy statement about her marriage, and declared defiantly she would be “fine on her own” with just her children.
“But I don’t want to live like that,” she continued. “I want to try and continue our marriage and live as a family because that’s what I want to do. I know my own mind and it’s something I want to try and work on… Yes, it has been a s**t time.”
The pair still make the effort for fun date nights
But that wasn’t the last of their so-called s**t times, as the I’m A Celebrity runner-up puts it. They found themselves at the centre of another storm recently when a video published on X led to speculation about Wayne returning to his wayward ways. The heavily-edited clip was filmed in the Devon apartment Wayne lived in during his short-lived tenure as Plymouth Argyle manager, and showed a tracksuit-clad man, believed to be Wayne, letting a woman inside the front door.
However, Wayne wasn’t prepared to ignore the accusations, and released a statement on Instagram defending himself against the rumours and denying any wrongdoing. Over the years, even Coleen, who shares sons Kai, 15, Klay, 12, Kit, nine, and Cass, seven, with Wayne, has admitted there were some who doubted she would – or should – get over her public heartache.
In their bombshell Rooney documentary that aired in 2022, she tackled the topic of their lowest moments head on, and confessed she’d learnt to block out other people’s opinions.
“When you’re making those decisions you’ve got to focus on what you want and not other people because” she said, “you have so many people saying different things to you. ‘Oh, why is she getting back with him?’ “Obviously, I listen to the people that matter to me, my mum and dad; they’ve always given me a positive outlook on things.”
The couple share a brood of four boys together(Image: @coleen_rooney/Instagram)
Last year, Coleen had her own positive moment in the spotlight when she was voted into second place on I’m A Celebrity. She was reportedly one of the series’ highest paid stars, and didn’t disappoint during her three weeks in the jungle. Viewers loved seeing a less polished and often hilarious version of the mum-of-four, who said afterwards she’d had “so many people coming up to me and saying that they understand my life”.
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast earlier this year, shortly after Wayne left his role as Plymouth manager, Coleen also addressed the doubts about her marriage, saying, “People are so opinionated, but I’ve always thought that it’s my life, so let me get on with it – it’s got nothing to do with anyone else.”
According to our source, the pair remain unshakeable and will continue to weather the storms that come their way. “They’ve honestly been through so many ups and downs but Coleen has loved Wayne since she was 16. It’s a love that can’t be broken and they’re really happy to be celebrating their anniversary in such a great place.
“They’ve got a wonderful family and, despite everything, have managed to remain in love and strong after all these years. Coleen couldn’t be happier they’ve made it through and is now glad she always stuck with it.”
Jo Whiley, who is narrating a new National Rail guide about Britain’s biggest musical locations, talks rock and roll nights, her milestone 60th and swapping raves for wild swimming
Jo admits she’s grateful to be making it to 60 – as some friends haven’t (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Kil)
Jo Whiley has been at the centre of popular music for 30 years, interviewing the biggest stars and discovering the hottest new talents. It’s made the Radio 2 favourite an oracle on bands, beats and beyond. As she gets ready to celebrate her 60th birthday this summer, Jo looks back on her exciting career, from partying with U2 to turning to Coldplay’s Chris Martin for advice – and speaking exclusively to OK!, shares what she really thinks about the big Oasis reunion.
“I don’t feel very old at all,” beams a glowing Jo, fresh from a day in the garden and a restorative massage. I still feel like I’m 17 or 27. Sixty – it’s a weird thing to get your head around. I’m alive and that’s the greatest thing. I’m healthy and I’m lucky to be here, because lots of people we’ve grown up with aren’t here any more.”
READ MORE: Nintendo release retro-inspired GameCube controller in time for Switch 2 release
Jo has been a staple in the Beeb’s Glastonbury coverage
Radiating energy and happiness, Jo speaks with as much passion about music now as she did at the start of her career. Rising up through the ranks of radio, she’s become an influential voice in the industry while presenting one of the biggest shows in the country.
“I’m super happy to be still doing my job,” grins the mum-of-four. “I never had a game plan, never had any wild ambition or intention. I’ve just been phenomenally lucky to still be here doing a radio show, doing these gigs and going to festivals. I’m just really grateful people still want me.”
A champion for new music and a celebrator of vintage tunes, Jo says she’s delighted with the resurgence of 90s Britpop bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp, who were coming up in the industry at the time she was – and she’s enjoying reuniting with them.
Article continues below
“All these bands I knew 30 years ago are still being phenomenally creative, and that’s lovely,” she says. “But also, I’m enjoying talking to them as an adult. When we were young and I was doing interviews with them, we were all a bit awkward and kind of didn’t know how to speak to people. But now we can have proper conversations. It’s lovely. We’re genuinely friends because we’ve known each other such a long time. We’ve grown up together.”
Jo and youngest daughter Coco are among the lucky ones who’ve managed to bag tickets to see Oasis live this year – something Jo never thought she’d see. “I said Oasis would never get back together again, so I’m not going to predict anything!” she laughs.
The BBC R adio 2 DJ confesses turning 60 is ‘weird to get your head around’(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women of the Year)
“Coco’s so excited about seeing them, and it’s kind of given me a renewed love of them too, so I’m really excited about going to see them. It’ll be very emotional for everybody who goes, and it’ll also be interesting to see how the boys are on stage these days.”
Over the decades, Jo has enjoyed incredible access to the world ’s biggest music icons, from George Michael to David Bowie. Looking back at some of her favourite deep dives, she says chatting to the Queen of Pop is among her top experiences.
“Interviewing Madonna at any point is always really enjoyable,” says Jo. “I really like her. She listens very carefully to what you ask her, and then she’ll contemplate her answer. Also, Bono is one of the dream storytellers, so any question you ever ask him will have some amazing anecdotes and will make you laugh at the end of it.”
Jo reveals some of her wildest nights out have come courtesy of Bono and his iconic band, U2. “I’ve never been a massive socialiser, but U2 have been responsible for some of the best nights out I’ve ever had,” she reveals. “They enjoyed showing us what Dublin is like, and they show great hospitality.”
Letting loose at festivals is what Jo enjoys most now, but not in the ways she once did. Night raves are out and lake swimming is in for fitness fanatic Jo. “My idea of fun is getting up dead early and going swimming at Latitude,” she says. “I see people coming in after a great night out, and I’m there in my swimming costume ready to get in the water. I always make my gang get up early and come dipping with me at 8am, which they hate me for but it’s also very fun.”
Madonna is always an entertaining interview, says Jo(Image: Getty Images)
It’s all part of Jo’s fitness routine – something she’s grown passionate about in recent years. She turned to the gym to “save” herself from debilitating menopause symptoms – and earned some impressive abs in the process. “I go to the gym and see a trainer maybe once a week,” she says. “I’ve tried Reformer Pilates. I’m not a naturally stretchy person, but it’s good. As I got older, I was like, ‘I want to be strong and I want to be active.’ Exercise is just a huge part of my life.”
Being in the DJ booth at her 90s anthems gigs across the UK also sounds like a pretty intense workout. “It’s physically gruelling,” she chuckles. “It’s like doing some kind of Jane Fonda workout for an hour and a half on stage, because I don’t just stand there – I get really involved in the songs. You can’t stand still when you’re playing something like Fatboy Slim or Pulp or James. It’s impossible.”
Inspired by lively legends such as Mick Jagger and Sting, Jo too wants to be able to rock out into her eighties. “I saw Sting in concert last year and he was really good and amazingly fit,” she recalls. “When you talk about fitness, being strong and owning your body, he looks just unbelievable.
“How do they do it? Because honestly, an hour and a half on stage and I’m really hurting afterwards. So how someone like Mick Jagger does what he does… it’s unreal! I guess you get to a point when you’re like, OK, right, all this debauchery and all that stuff, it’s got to stop because I’m not going to be here or in a fit state to enjoy the rest of my life.”
The radio host says Bono and the U2 lads have been part of her wildest rock and roll nights out
Surrounded by musical maestros full of words of wisdom, Jo is never short of valuable advice. She counts Coldplay frontman Chris Martin as one of her close friends, and says he’s always on hand when she needs a pep talk. “If ever I’ve had a tough time or something’s going on, I’ve often turned to Chris, and he’s really good at dispensing advice,” she shares. “He tells me to just chill out. He’s wise. I can’t think of any particular piece of advice because they’re often like long poems.
“Bono said the best piece of advice he’d been given was by Chrissie Hynde. She told him the best way to live is to make sure you live a long life and don’t die choking on your own vomit somewhere. So the smart thing to do is to get fit, look after yourself and enjoy a long life.”
That’s certainly what Jo is doing. She’s also enjoying a busy phase at work. Her latest project has involved travelling up and down the country by train with National Rail, narrating a new guide to locations that have inspired huge music acts.
“It’s encouraging people to do pilgrimages to places where artists have been inspired to write songs, and that’s a really lovely thing to do,” she explains. “I can remember taking the train with my friends to the Haçienda in Manchester, going to see New Order or Happy Mondays – bands that were key to my career.
Jo is narrating a new National Rail guide to places that have inspired huge musical acts(Image: Good Relations)
“Antony Szmierek, a new up and coming artist I love, has a song called The Great Pyramid Of Stockport , so I went there. I went to Denmark Street, where Elton John wrote Your Song , and visited the pub in Taylor Swift ’s song, The Black Dog . It’s been a real musical education.”
Looking ahead to her 60th birthday in July, Jo shares her plans for a knees-up at her Northamptonshire home, surrounded by friends and family – including her husband, music executive Steve Morton, and their four children, India, 33, Jude, 26, Cassius, 24, and Coco, 16.
Article continues below
“I’m having a barn dance,” she reveals. “I did it 10 years ago, so I thought I might as well do it again. We’ll have a big old hoedown – cowboy boots, gingham, the lot. Or maybe I’ll be Calamity Jane. I’m definitely dressing up. We have lots of parties and people always get dressed up. We’ve got the most insane fancy dress emporium above the garage, with many boxes of costumes we’ve worn over the years. I could open a fancy dress shop!”
As she enters her seventh decade, what’s next for Jo? Dreaming of more distant shores, Jo says, “More than anything, I want to do more travelling, because I never have time to go away. Whether it’s climbing Mount Snowdon or going to Japan or Canada… my greatest fear is I won’t get to see those places. I need to make it happen.”
