Alex Jones says 'disgusting' as she reveals her accent is why she can’t watch herself on TV
The 48-year-old has opened up about one of her biggest insecurities, talking on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast
Alex Jones might be one of the most familiar voices on TV, but it turns out she can’t bear listening to herself back. Talking on the latest episode of Fearne Cotton’s popular podcast, ‘Happy Place’, The BBC One Show host has shared that she has never quite made peace with the sound of her own voice.
The 48-year-old from Carmarthenshire, has spoken before about being told that her accent made her “sound stupid”, which she said in The Guardian was the "worst comment" she had ever received. She said, talking to Fearne: “I rarely watch anything back or listen to anything back because, just my voice.
“How am I even on the television?” she cried with Fearne quickly throwing support behind the Welsh accent, saying: “Because of that voice! The Welsh accent, it’s lovely little sing-song dialect, what is not to love?” For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
But Alex responded: “No! Disgusting”, then said: “I want yours!” Fearne firmly disagreed with Alex adding that she that she would like a “voice swap” with the Ammanford, presenter to which the BBC presenter replied: “We can’t voice swap sadly, but we can listen back - now, do you listen back?”
Alex was referring to the early days of Fearne’s podcast as she quizzed her on the success of the Happy Place, which is celebrating its seventh birthday this week. To mark the occasion, Fearne handed over hosting duties to her friend Alex, an accomplished TV presenter whose voice is heard most nights on BBC One's The One Show, which she's hosted for 15 years.
In an honest chat, Fearne reflected on the growth of Happy Place - from its humble podcast beginnings to becoming a book publisher, festival, and now even a marketplace.
She opened up about personal struggles, including antidepressants, imposter syndrome, and learning to own her ambition.
She also discussed how she juggles it all as a mum, founder, and friend, and when Alex asked her who makes up the Happy Place, Fearne acknowledged how much of an impact her friends and family had.
But she also added: “I think my Happy Place figuratively are those little moments where I feel very accepting of myself.
“It’s bordering on liking myself, which I’m aiming for. Those moments, that is my Happy Place, where it’s not like euphoria, it’s a low level - it’s low key contentment.”
You can listen to the latest episode in full on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts.
Alex Jones has been contacted for comment via her representatives.