‘I WANT TO SEIZE EVERY MOMENT OF HAPPINESS’

Jo Whiley opens up about campaigning for her sister and making the most of life

Jo Whiley is used to having her voice heard by thousands of listeners. During a career spanning three decades, she’s hosted the long-running Jo Whiley Show on BBC Radio 1, presented live from festivals, including Glastonbury, and interviewed musical icons from Bono to Britney Spears. She now hosts her own evening show on BBC Radio 2, which has seen a huge surge in listeners since the pandemic began. But earlier this year, Jo’s voice found a new audience when she began campaigning for her sister, Frances, 53 (who has the rare genetic syndrome Cri du Chat), and all adults with learning disabilities to be prioritised in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. Jo shared her fears for her sister and her frustration that she was offered the vaccine before Frances. Shortly after, Frances was fighting for her life in hospital after contracting Covid at her Northamptonshire care home, near where Jo and her family live.

Thankfully, Frances recovered and, in late February, the government announced that all adults with a learning disability would be called for a vaccine as a priority. The move has been dubbed ‘the Jo Whiley effect’. ‘I’m a bit embarrassed by that because it wasn’t all me,’ says Jo. ‘But it’s by far the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life.’ If the past few months have taught her anything, she says, it’s to live fearlessly and vibrantly. At 55, she explains why she’s looking to the future with confidence and courage…