**Alex Jones Reflects on 15 Years at The One Show: “It Feels Like I’ve Grown Up With the Viewers”**
Welsh presenter Alex Jones has reached a significant milestone, celebrating 15 years at the helm of BBC’s beloved weekday magazine programme, The One Show. Speaking candidly about her time on the sofa, Jones, now 48, shared how much she values the sense of community built between herself and the show’s viewers, remarking that they have experienced her major life moments alongside her.
Jones first joined the programme in August 2010, after initially starting her broadcasting career in children’s television. Over the years, she has become one of the BBC’s most recognisable faces, participating in the coverage of high-profile events such as royal weddings, Sport Relief, and the Eurovision Song Contest. The presenter’s warmth and approachability have also attracted an impressive array of celebrity interviewees, including Hollywood icons like Robert De Niro, Julianne Moore, Jackie Chan, and British actor Stephen Graham.
Reflecting on her journey, Jones expressed pride and gratitude for her continued role on the show. “I feel incredibly proud to have been on the iconic sofa for all these years,” she said. “It certainly doesn’t feel like 15 years, and it still feels fresh, as the show keeps evolving. I feel like we keep coming back better and better.”
The presenter described feeling a deep connection with the show’s audience, likening viewers to members of her extended family. “I started as a young girl and I feel like I’ve grown up with our viewers. They have seen me through all my big life moments like getting engaged and married, to having children. Our viewers are like extended family by now,” she told journalists. “I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me. I have loved the last 15 years and love presenting the show and I think we’re just getting stronger and stronger, from stories to guests and presenters.”
Jones also discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the dynamic between the show and its audience. According to Jones, the period was a transformative time not only for the production team but also in cementing the bond with viewers. “I think that our connection with our audience is stronger than it’s ever been. I think that relationship was cemented during the pandemic,” she said. Jones highlighted the role the programme played in providing support and distraction during challenging times. “We became a lifeline for some of our viewers and they trusted us to reflect on the bizarre situation, but also balance that with stories that distract from the news. We were the light at the end of sometimes a very dark news bulletin. The viewers kept me sane as much as I did them.”
Throughout her 15-year tenure, Jones has formed close working relationships with a revolving cast of presenters, including the likes of Vernon Kay, Clara Amfo, Lauren Laverne, and Roman Kemp. Of her co-hosts, she enthused, “What a lucky girl I am! I have Roman now, and Vernon and JB, as well as Clara and Lauren, and they couldn’t be a lovelier bunch. I think the beauty about this line-up is that it lets the show drive forward, because each one of those brilliant broadcasters, they all bring something very different.” Jones also noted the positive team dynamic, adding, “It’s really nice to have this brilliant team of lovely, seasoned, brilliant broadcasters.”
The presenter’s extensive career has also been shaped by her experience co-hosting with former footballer Jermaine Jenas, although his time on the programme ended following reports of workplace conduct issues. Jones herself continues to maintain a reputation as a steady and supportive presence both on-screen and behind the scenes.
In addition to her work on The One Show, Alex Jones ventured outside of her comfort zone in 2011 when she joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the semi-finals with her dance partner James Jordan and ultimately securing a respectable fifth place finish.
As she marks this significant anniversary, Jones remains as committed as ever to her role. Her reflections suggest that, while the faces on the sofa may change, the close relationship between The One Show and its audience will remain at the heart of its enduring appeal.