‘We’ve had time to enjoy the pregnancy’
Mum-to-be Sarah-Jane Crawford on how being locked down has made her even more excited for her future family
With less than two months to go until she and partner Brian Barry-Murphy welcome their little girl, Sarah-Jane Crawford is in full nesting mode. The 38-year-old presenter, best known for The Xtra Factor, has been hosting her Hits Radio music show from home, which means she’s also had plenty of time to prepare for bringing their new arrival into the world this August.
Plus, not one to put her feet up for too long, SarahJane is also working hard on two projects – her updated vegan restaurant finder app Viappi and a new mental health platform about fertility, pregnancy and beyond called Mum’s The Word.
Here, the star chats multi-tasking, impending motherhood and why age has given her the confidence to say it like it is…
Congratulations! How have you found being pregnant during this strange time?
I feel like I’ve been on lockdown since January! When I got pregnant in December I was ecstatic, but I found the first trimester really challenging. I spoke to the radio controller and said, ‘I’m only 10 weeks, but I’m letting you know early because I’m finding it hard to put on a brave face when I feel sick.’ I was also paranoid about catching anyone’s flu or anything like that, as the studio can be a terrible environment for picking up germs. Everything on every level was a bit of a struggle, so I’ve basically been self-isolating since before the pandemic.
How have you been keeping busy?
I joined TikTok for a bit of banter and I’ve really enjoyed learning a few routines and doing them. I’ve also been watching a show on Netflix called Yummy Mummies, which is the most ridiculous, trashy show, but I love it. And I’ve been able to focus on being at home, making healthy food and making sure everything’s ready. It’s been good because Brian’s been around a lot more. We’ve been able to have time we’d never have had to enjoy the pregnancy together.
Do you think it’s made you even more excited?
Yes and I can bore him with my spreadsheet of what we need for the baby! When I’m passionate about something I’m very on it, so I’ve been quite organised.
Did you always want to find out the baby’s sex?
I’m one of those people who likes to know things, so I was never going to want a surprise.The funny thing was I did a finger prick test where you can find out the gender as early as eight or nine weeks. But it told me I was having a boy.Then I had a scan a few weeks later and they said,‘It’s a girl!’
Are your family excited?
Yes, I’ve been keeping them updated on our family WhatsApp group called Fam, which has everyone in it – my mum, dad, three brothers, sister and sister-in-law. My gorgeous little nephew, Jaden, is two, which means my little girl and him will have the exact same age gap as me and my older brother. I can’t wait for them to meet.
What are you most looking forward to about having a child?
I’ve dedicated so much of my life to entertainment and TV, so now I’m ready to make it all about someone else. The thought of having a little human to nurture and teach about life, loving herself, ambition and kindness is what I’m most excited about.
You’re going to be a cool mum thanks to your showbiz connections…
To your own family, you’re just a parent. I’ve seen it with kids who have a really cool parent, like a pop star, and they say, ‘You’re embarrassing me mum!’ Sometimes you’re definitely more cool to other people’s children. My partner has an eight-year-old daughter from his previous relationship and when I did Hits Radio Live, she came along to the studio and was buzzing.
‘I can bore Brian with my spreadsheet of what we need for the baby!’
Are you enjoying working from home hosting Hits Radio?
I love it. My little dog has been really funny. I dedicate a couple of hours to recording my Sunday show and he follows me into the room. I say, ‘You can hang out with me, but if you bark, you’re out of the door.’ He sits watching me and about 45 minutes in, he barks! But it’s great as you can have a cup of tea and still be in your pyjamas in the afternoon.
What’s best about the show?
I never really thought of myself as a radio broadcaster, but when I started 12 years ago, I realised it was a way of combining chatting and music. No matter what mood you’re in, when you put those headphones on and start talking, you’re able to share that joy. Even with all the horrendous stuff that’s been going on, and all the