I'm choosing NOT TO SLOW DOWN

Jo Whiley on dealing with life's ups and downs, why chatting with friends is like therapy and the celebrity who surprised her most

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Softly spoken, funny and comfortable in her own skin, Jo Whiley's calm demeanour blended with a huge enthusiasm for life is to be envied. It's probably the reason she is considered to be one of the most effortlessly cool people in showbiz and is universally adored by the biggest names in music.

She's far from your typical celebrity and doesn't even like describing herself as one - even if she is finally starting to enjoy photo shoots after all this time! 'Today has been gorgeous. I was really, really looking forward to coming, and I never look forward to photo shoots.

I'm increasingly enjoying dressing up. It's lovely learning how to play with clothes and how they make you feel. It makes me feel more adventurous in everyday life.

'Having my younger daughter, Coco, who's 16, also helps. Her whole generation is so into fashion and style, and the TikTok thing. It has made me open my eyes and be more confident and try more things.'

Jo began her broadcasting career at local radio stations in her early 20s. She joined the BBC in 1993 and they've never let her go. She now presents Radio 2's Monday to Thursday evening show, which features the Sofa Sessions, and she tours the country regularly with her massively popular 90s Anthems nights.

Take away all her amazing achievements and Jo is a happy, grounded mum and keen gardener. She has been married to music executive Steve Morton, 60, since 1991, and they are parents to India, 32, Jude, 26, Cassius, 23, and Coco, 16.

It's hard to believe that the DJ celebrated her 60th birthday on 4 July, given how youthful she is, inside and out. She is passionate about people not being defined by their age.

As Jo herself says, 'We should never say someone looks good for their age. We should just say they look good!'