‘We aim to brighten people's day'

Alex Jones tells TV Times about The One Show’s mission to lighten our load during lockdown

- Victoria Wilson

With so much uncertainty in the world right now, BBC1’s weeknight staple The One Show is proving a wonderful home comfort and providing viewers with a much-needed sense of normality in this time of crisis.

Since lockdown began, the programme has continued to be broadcast live from the Beeb’s London HQ every evening from 7pm, where host Alex Jones and the team have been busy bringing us celebrity interviews plus heartwarming stories of how frontline workers and ordinary people across Britain are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Alex, 43, chats to TV Times about the challenges of keeping on air in lockdown, her love for her job, and the very personal viewer letter that touched her heart…

Why is it important that The One Show continues to stay on air during the pandemic?

Our mission is to bring a little bit of lightness to the situation and to brighten people’s day. Yes, the show is good at talking about the pandemic itself, but it’s also about bringing people those lighter stories and providing a bit of familiarity for lots of viewers who are on their own. I recently received a card from one lady, who’s 89, which simply said, ‘Dear Alex and the team. I just want to thank you all for keeping going, because you’re the only family I see.’ It really reminded me of what this show does.

How has the way you film the show been adapted?