The One Show presenter Alex Jones has opened up about her health concerns ahead of turning 50 next year. With her mother Mary experiencing menopause at an unusually early age of 33, Alex admitted she feared she would follow in her footsteps.
"I worried about early menopause because my mum had hers at 33. She didn't even blink and had no symptoms. She had me and my sister at 24 and 26, so it worked well for her in some respects," Alex told Woman & Home magazine.
As early menopause can be hereditary, Alex acknowledged it was something she worried about when she wanted to have children. Now, at 49, she says perimenopause has definitely hit her. "Perimenopause has definitely hit me now and the main thing that helps me is nutrition and exercise," she explained.
Exercise Regimen and Lifestyle Changes
Alex revealed that walking her dog "for miles" has helped her perimenopause symptoms "lessen their grip." She also practices Pilates, describing it as "gentle but effective," and has started weight training. "You can see a difference so quickly, it spurs you on," she added.
The mother of three – Teddy, nine, Kit, seven, and Annie, four – with husband Charlie Thomson, emphasized that she is particularly health-conscious because of her children. "I'm really, really aware that I need to be around for them, so I started to look after myself more. I can't bear the thought of leaving them. That sharpens your focus – you realise what's important," she said.
The One Show's 20th Anniversary and Summer Break
Alex spoke to the magazine ahead of The One Show's 20th anniversary celebrations in August. Having been part of the BBC programme for 16 years, she is its longest-serving presenter. Earlier this week, she announced that the show would be temporarily coming off air for its summer break.
Speaking to viewers, her co-star Roman Kemp shared: "That's all we've got time for tonight, a big thank you to all of our guests." Alex added: "Tomorrow I'll be back with JB [Gill] for the final One Show before our summer break. We'll be joined by Alexander Armstrong and Annabel Croft, plus Gavin and Stacey stars Joanna Page and Mathew Horne."
The update came after Alex took a brief break from the programme due to illness. On her return, co-star Angellica Bell asked if she was okay, to which Alex replied: "I am slightly croaky, but we'll get through it." As the programme got underway, she told her co-star that she had "nearly recovered" following her illness, adding: "Glad to be here."
The One Show is currently on its annual summer break to make way for the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon and other summer sports. It is scheduled to return on July 27, resuming its usual 7pm weekday slot on BBC One after the four-week hiatus.
