'My superpower is that I can connect with people'

Presenter Jean Johansson says being part of a life-changing moment is one of the perks of her job - but she doesn't take it for granted.

- EVE MACDONALD

Jean Johansson is smashing it right now - she's been the face of A Place In The Sun since 2018, is part of the roster for presenting competitions on This Morning and is now fronting new Channel 4 property series Key To A Fortune, not to mention filming for her Christmas crafting show That's why, the 42-year-old tells us in an exclusive chat, she's more than ready to take her foot off the pedal - for a few weeks, at least.

"It's been lovely spending time with my boys. We visited our other home in Finland and spent time with Jonatan's family. I think Junior's enjoyed having me around for his summer holidays, too," she laughs.

Jean and former professional footballer Jonatan, 48, tied the knot in 2008 and then renewed their marriage vows a decade later in Majorca. In 2012, they welcomed son Junior.

"Jonatan was commentating during the Euros and I was abroad filming, so the start of the summer was a lot of drop-offs and pickups at airports. But we made it work - we always do."

Jean admits she and her husband of 16 years are a well-oiled machine by now and, given their busy schedules, a relaxing month is just what the globe-trotting presenter needs.

"It's been nice to switch off and live what I call my 'normal life', just relaxing in the garden and taking Junior to football games again. Work can be busy, so time off is so important to recharge my batteries.

"Plus, when you're on a show like A Place In The Sun, you give so much of yourself to the house hunters. At times, I feel like I'm a mum there too," she laughs.

Back for another series of the Channel 4 show s that helps house hunters find their dream home in the sun, Jean reveals how "lucky" she is to truly love what she does for a living.

"We visited a new location that we'd never been with house hunters before - Turkey. It was fabulous, the people were lovely, the food was incredible and the culture is amazing. I fell in love with it."