BBC radio presenter Jo Whiley revealed her hopes for a quieter 2026, following a difficult year that included unexpected family changes and a tragic death
Jo Whiley has described 2025 as “a rollercoaster of a year”, after experiencing a string of unforeseen and heartbreaking family changes. The Radio 2 host was left in tears in August after discovering that her husband had accidentally run over their beloved family cat, Simba.
Following this devastating incident, Jo also faced sudden shifts in her personal circumstances as she took on caring responsibilities for her parents.
Looking back on the previous year, she told her co-presenter Zoe Ball on their Dig It podcast: “Towards the end of the year, just to say, my parents have had loads of health issues, so I’ve suddenly hit that point of my life, which I know a lot of our diggers are at as well, so suddenly becoming a carer and sorting out lots of hospital appointments.
“And scans and caring for them and being a sibling with someone with a learning disability has also figured large in the second half of this year.
“So, it’s been a rollercoaster of a year, it’s not been an easy year, it’s been a rollercoaster and I’m still on the rollercoaster now, as we all are,” she continued.
After what she characterised as a “manic” year, the 60-year-old revealed she’s now hoping for a more peaceful 2026.
“Literally, I don’t think I’ve had a day when I’ve not been doing something,” she revealed.
“So next year, I’m trying to calm everything down, spend more time with my friends and family and do a little bit less, carrying on doing the pod, doing the radio and doing my 90s anthems show, but also, kind of, not do so many maybe.
“And also getting back into fitness, I’m going to try and run and do more swimming.”
Revealing that she has also signed up for a half marathon in April, she continued: “Once you sign up to something, you’ve got to do the training, it makes you get out there and run. It’s certainly the only way I can deal with it.”
While discussing 2025, Jo also looked back on the devastating loss of their beloved family cat.
Having previously shared the tragic news with Zoe, she remembered her husband Steve ringing her “in a complete panic” as she was making her way home from holiday.
Jo described how after moving the cat from their driveway, Steve thought she had wandered off, only to discover she hadn’t.
“We just can’t work out what on earth happened,” she said.
Jo went on say her spouse was utterly distraught over the incident, especially given the strong connection he had with Simba.
“He’s in a world of pain,” she said. “We had to spend the whole day yesterday – luckily the kids weren’t at home when it happened – and a vet came over and put [Simba] out of her misery.
“We just had to wait and work out the words to say and tell the kids.”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website.
