10 Questions With Jo Whiley
The Radio 2 star reveals the things that inspire and make her tick
1. When and where were you happiest?
There's a certain part of England that I always associate with 'happy' and that's a very large field in Glastonbury. I've had the best of times there - many of them with John Peel when we first started to cover the festival for the BBC. He drank wine. I drank cider. He told stories. I listened and learned. We laughed A LOT.
2. Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Either Professor Snape from the Harry Potter books. A villain throughout until the end when his courage and heroism is finally revealed. Or Doctor Who. People tell me he's not real although I like to fantasise that he does really exist. The ultimate hero, whoever's face he's wearing.
3. What is your most treasured possession?
Can I have two please? My Roberts Radio which I carry around with me wherever I am in the house and while I garden. Plus my photo albums full of the people I love. Nothing brings me greater pleasure than looking at albums and enjoying the memories of great times I've shared with my friends and family.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Anyone who knows me is shouting 'timekeeping' at this point. It's not my strongest attribute. I simply always feel like I have a million and one things to do and will always find one final thing to do before leaving the house which makes me hideously late.
5. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Bullying and prejudice of those less fortunate. Any aggression to others makes my blood run cold. I cannot bear to see people being violent to others. I was brought up in such a kind and loving environment that hostilities are completely alien to me.
6. Where would you most like to live?
Maybe one of the lakes in Italy. Say, Garda or Como. Swimming and large expanses of water keep me sane while swimming, sailing and wakeboarding are my favourite things. As is George Clooney, who spends a lot of time at Lake Como, so I could go George spotting if ever I got bored lazing around in the water and eating delicious food.
7. What was the first album you bought and why?
Blondie's Parallel Lines. Had heard them on the radio and the songs were brilliant pop. Edgier but poppy. Then I saw Debbie Harry and thought she was the coolest woman I'd EVER seen.
8. If you could come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Julie Andrews. Imagine being in both Mary Poppins AND the Sound of Music?! What a legacy.
9. What is your greatest fear?
Of course, your greatest fear is that something dreadful happens to your children. That aside, I have a fear of heights especially when climbing something where I can see the ground below. That feeling when your legs literally turn to jelly? I suffer terribly from that.
10. Excluding world peace and endless riches, if you were granted one wish, what would it be?
To possess a voice that doesn't curdle cream and a smidgen of rhythm so that when I dance people don't openly point and laugh at me.
