Jo Whiley: My Kids Will Never Be 'Nepo Babies'

BBC Radio 2 legend Jo Whiley has claimed her children will ‘never be nepo babies’ even though she has achieved huge career success over the years.

The broadcaster, who shares India, Jude, Cassius, and Coco with band manager husband Steve Morton, has been a regular face of the station since 1993.

And in addition to her very successful time in radio, Jo has also seen great success as a TV presenter.

But despite all her success, she has claimed her four children will never be nepo babies as the label alone ‘horrifies them’, according to The Sun.

She told the publication: ‘My kids will never be nepo babies; they are very determined never ever to make it because I’m their mum.

BBC Radio 2 legend Jo Whiley has claimed her children will ‘never be nepo babies’ even though she has achieved huge career success over the years

The broadcaster, who share India, Jude, Cassius, and Coco with band manager husband Steve Morton, has been a regular face of the station since 1993

‘It really horrifies them – the thought that anybody would ever employ them because of what I do.

‘So they’re so determined to get jobs and do work on their own merits, and they will never take advantage of me at all.’

Jo’s confession comes after she achieved an impressive six-pack and toned arm muscles after turning to strength training at the gym to ‘save’ herself from debilitating menopause.

She said: ‘I really lost myself when the menopause hit. I cried all the time. I mean, I cry a lot anyway, but I cried all the time. I just felt very weak.

‘And going to the gym and getting myself strong has played a really, really big part in helping me be the person I am today. It really saved me.’

She flexed her toned torso on the cover of Women’s Health in a red sports bra and underwear.

The BBC Radio Two presenter also revealed that life was not so sex, drugs and rock’n’roll for her in the 90s as she suffered from anxiety when DJing on stage to large crowds.

She said: ‘I remember doing one gig and I was just so scared, I thought I can’t go on like this. This is ridiculous. It’s ruining my life because I’m just such a ball of anxiety.

But despite all her success, she has claimed her four children will never be nepo babies as the label alone ‘horrifies them’, according to The Sun

Jo’s confession comes after she achieved an impressive toned arm muscles after turning to strength training at the gym to ‘save’ herself from debilitating menopause

‘But then I realised how happy it was making people when I do these gigs and that was a game changer.’

Posing in underwear, Jo took the opportunity to speak out against the culture of ‘lad mags’ – lifestyle magazines from the 90s and early noughties aimed at men and typically featuring a woman also in her underwear.

The BBC presenter said: ‘There was so much objectification and judgment of women and their bodies.

‘It was a ludicrous time to be a woman, but I just kept my head down and weathered the storm.’

‘I think [the current generation of girls] is still dealing with a lot.

‘There are so many crises and so much pressure and so much to worry about in the world.

[But] there’s an army of [young] women who are fearless, absolutely fearless, and they take no prisoners, and they will be who they want to be. And it’s much healthier.’

Back in the summer on 2024 Jo breathed a sigh of relief as she completed another year presenting Glastonbury, after losing her voice.

The presenter lost her voice just two hours into the five-day festival but continued to soldier through – despite BBC viewers expressing their concern.

Jo took to Instagram to summarise her experience and praised the festival medic for helping her to continue in her role as Glastonbury host, which she has held since 1997.

The Radio DJ wrote: ‘Oh My!! Glastonbury 2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster. Such happiness to be there and to be bringing the festival to you all as part of the @bbcglasto team.

‘Something I will never take for granted and I hope you enjoyed watching. So much joy and talent on those stages. The next week will be divided between watching all the performances on @bbciplayer and @wimbledon.

‘Losing my voice two hours after arriving at Glastonbury was NOT what I expected and made things a *bit* tricky & I’m so grateful to everyone for the advice, remedies and honey & lemon. Special mention to Jim the festival medic who came to my rescue yesterday mid radio show!

‘Saw two of my kids for a quick squeeze which was heaven and have seen photographic evidence that the whole WM crew & friends covered most corners of the festival. Not so much looking forward to the post-Glasto blues and laundry… anyone else??!!!

‘Special thanks to my Glasto radio & TV family for your hard work, love, support, producing, co-ordinating, driving, face painting & dressing up.