BBC One Show presenter Alex Jones has revealed she was so shy at school that she never spoke in class, admitting her “12-year old self would be very surprised about my chosen career path”. Speaking ahead of World Book Day, the 48-year-old broadcaster said she had great teachers who took time to see her as a young person with something to say.
Jones has been working with the Bookmark Reading Charity on its ‘Mind the Gap’ campaign, which aims to bridge the literacy gap in young people. She described the issue as a national problem that affects not just schoolwork but children’s futures. “We can’t just expect overstretched schools to be doing more; we have to collectively make an effort to support the children who are falling behind,” she said.
The National Literacy Trust recently reported that reading for pleasure among children is at a 20-year low. Jones expressed shock at the statistic, emphasising that stories are a gift that help children develop understanding, empathy and confidence. “Stories are doors into other worlds,” she said, adding that reading has helped her own career as a broadcaster by teaching her how to listen and respond with empathy.
Jones, who lives in Berkshire with her husband Charlie Thomson and their three children, said she makes story time a priority at home. She lets her children choose their own books to ensure they see reading as enjoyable rather than a chore. Her favourite book to read with them is Horrid Henry, which she says makes them laugh and creates a shared bond.
Reflecting on her own childhood, Jones recalled that reading Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers made her “obsessed with going to boarding school”. She said the story has stayed with her, and she can still picture the characters she imagined.
