BBC's The One Show presenter Alex Jones has shared astonishing details about her early television career on a steamy 1990s dating programme filmed in Magaluf, where chaotic antics led to an unlikely exam invigilation by host Davina McCall.
The Raunchy Reality Show That Started It All
Alex Jones, now 48, appeared on the Sky dating series Prickly Heat in 1998 while studying theatre, film and television at Aberystwyth University. The then-21-year-old found herself amidst what she describes as a sexual free-for-all involving approximately 40 contestants aged between 19 and 23.
Speaking on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, Jones didn't hold back about the show's wild atmosphere. "It was called Prickly Heat. Something like 40 people between the ages of say 19 and 23 in Magaluf, everybody was having sex with everybody, and it was just really good fun," she revealed.
The series, presented by Davina McCall and Julian Clary, is often considered a forerunner to modern reality hits like Love Island. Contestants stayed in a holiday resort villa and participated in various challenges, including a famously chaotic booze cruise.
The Most Unusual University Exam in Television History
In perhaps the most remarkable twist, Jones managed to complete her university finals while filming the raunchy programme after convincing her institution to send exam papers to Magaluf.
"The university was like, 'absolutely not, you're not doing your finals in Magaluf', and I was like 'please let me go and do this', so they flew my papers out and Davina was the invigilator," Jones explained.
The exam preparation wasn't without drama. Jones disclosed that the day before her crucial test, another contestant reportedly grabbed her revision notes and threw them into the sea. Despite this setback, McCall's unexpected role as exam supervisor helped ensure Jones could complete her degree requirements.
Reflections on Jenas Scandal and Industry Changes
The conversation also turned to more recent events, with Jones addressing her former The One Show co-host Jermaine Jenas's sexting scandal. Jones admitted she was "the last to know" about the inappropriate messages that led to Jenas being fired by the BBC and the subsequent collapse of his 13-year marriage.
Reflecting on the broader cultural shift in television, Jones expressed admiration for those who speak out about uncomfortable workplace situations. "If it was my daughter, and she was at work in whatever industry and she felt uncomfortable, I would hope to God that I'd given her the tools to be able to speak up," she said.
Jones acknowledged that in the 1990s and early 2000s, "there was stuff and there were ways that things were said that weren't great," but noted that nothing from that era had left her with lasting trauma. She praised the courage of those who have come forward in recent years, admitting she likely wouldn't have spoken up herself for fear of jeopardising her career.
Despite the scandal involving her former co-host, Jones maintains that the BBC handled the situation appropriately when complaints were made. The popular presenter has hosted The One Show since 2010, taking over from Christine Lampard and becoming a household name in British entertainment.
