Morning Live presenters on the struggles which have introduced them nearer

Gethin Jones is without doubt one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors, however there’s a vested curiosity for his colleagues in him preserving that standing. The BBC Morning Live presenter is so widespread with them that it might be an inconvenience for them if he have been to be in a relationship.

‘I don’t suppose you’ve acquired time for a companion since you’re so busy taking care of the remainder of us,’ laughs his co-presenter Helen Skelton. 

‘Whenever I have technical questions about my wi-fi for example, I’m like, “Geth, how do I do this, how can I do that?” And you’re a hands-on godparent. I do know we joke about you giving me recommendation however if you take your godchildren out I offer you recommendation like, “Geth, don’t forget the swim nappies!”’

His different co-presenter Michelle Ackerley took him out to lunch on his birthday a number of days in the past and he or she’s now exhibiting Gethin the playing cards he’s obtained on the present. She’s additionally presenting him with a mysterious single purple rose he’s been despatched, saying she believes it’s an ‘inside job’.

Gethin is clearly admired among the many group at Morning Live, which is proving so profitable as Britain’s most watched daytime journal present that it has prolonged its working time from 45 to 75 minutes each weekday. So why hasn’t the dishy presenter, as soon as voted Bachelor of the Year, been snapped up but?

Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton (proper) and Michelle Ackerley current Morning Live, essentially the most watched daytime journal present, which airs each weekday

‘There’s all the time a little bit of teasing occurring from the ladies and I can by no means get a phrase in edgeways anyway, so I’ll allow them to reply that one,’ he smiles. ‘Why am I still single?’

They suppose for a second earlier than Helen says, ‘You don’t must be single. You simply have excessive requirements.’ Michelle agrees. ‘You are the most eligible bachelor,’ she provides. ‘So you can take your time.’

Gethin is 46 now and was famously engaged to Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins till that relationship led to 2011 after 5 years. He has since dated German mannequin Katja Zwara amongst others, however is at present single and a beginner on relationship apps. 

‘I’m the least bothered by it,’ he says. ‘It will happen when it’s speculated to occur, it’s simply taking me longer than most.’

Thanks to reaching the semi-final on Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 and his weekday shift on Morning Live, which was first broadcast in October 2020 on the peak of the pandemic to attach with viewers’ real-life considerations and supply knowledgeable recommendation on well being, cash and client points, Gethin’s enchantment now crosses all ages and sexes.

’I don’t know if I’ve instructed you this,’ says Gethin, turning to Michelle and Helen. ‘But I met a girl last week. She seemed lovely so I messaged her to organise a coffee and we met up for lunch on Saturday. I thought it went well so I said, “Let me know your plans later.” That was Saturday and it’s now Friday. And she knew it was my birthday this week too.’

The ladies are quietly shocked. Perhaps she was intimidated by Gethin’s celeb standing, I ponder? Now the ladies are rolling round laughing. ‘Let’s go together with that,’ smiles Gethin, whereas Helen is virtually choking on tears of laughter.

Helen and Michelle grew to become everlasting presenters on Morning Live at first of the yr, doing alternate weeks Monday to Wednesday alongside Gethin, who presents 5 reveals per week. 

On Thursdays he’s joined by Kym Marsh and his co-presenter on Fridays varies between regulars resembling Sara Cox, Gaby Roslin and Kimberley Walsh. 

The present dominates the morning’s schedules, pulling in round 1.2 million viewers – virtually a 3rd of the viewers. So it’s no shock that this group has been cemented collectively since they’re all shut mates too, searching for one another on and off display.

Gethin, Helen (left) and Michelle are all good mates, searching for one another on and off display

‘It’s a sense of being secure, such as you’re in good palms,’ says Michelle, 39. ‘So even though it’s dwell TV you possibly can really feel cozy in that area, realizing we’ve acquired one another’s backs. I’m working with my mates, it’s the dream state of affairs.’

Michelle’s fiancé, former rugby union participant and coach Ben Ryan, is director of elite efficiency at Brentford FC and has simply helped organise tickets for Gethin to take his nephew to see the upcoming recreation towards Liverpool.

Gethin says, ‘We all know a lot about each other and we’re delicate to that, as a result of we tackle fairly powerful matters resembling Craig Maxwell, my pal who has terminal lung most cancers.’ 

Former Welsh Rugby Union industrial boss Craig, 41, was given ten to 18 months to dwell final July and he appeared on the present in December to lift funds. 

‘When I was getting a bit upset during that show Michelle saw it, as she’s skilled related in her life. We’re all delicate to one another and fortunate to have that. We’re people first and presenters second.’

Michelle, whose late stepfather adopted her aged 4, goes even additional. ‘Gethin reminds me of my brother a bit, he’s like a cheeky additional brother to me. When Gethin instructed me about Craig it actually resonated with me as my dad handed away from terminal lung most cancers. He adopted me actually younger and was my best supporter.’

So too is her mum Mavis, a private coach and life coach turned presenter and agony aunt. The mother-daughter duo have since introduced the BBC’s Dirty Rotten Scammers exploring the world of cyberfraud, and Mavis additionally seems as an knowledgeable on Morning Live.

‘I’m very near my household, particularly my mum,’ says Michelle. ‘She taught me to work hard, to find something you really enjoy doing and commit to it. And, crucially, to be respectful of people. 

‘With this type of show, it’s an extension of your actual life so you could possibly be relating one thing hard-hitting and the following minute you’re having fun and a joke.’

As if on cue, Gethin falls backwards off his director’s chair along with his identify emblazoned on it that he was given when he hosted a Dancing With The Stars spin-off present in America. 

Gethin is pictured along with his ex, Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins. The couple have been collectively for 5 years earlier than ending their relationship in 2011

‘I brought this back and it’s been garbage ever since,’ he says as he will get off the ground and tries to place the chair again collectively.

Countryfile host Helen, 40, a family identify since 2008 when she began as a presenter on Blue Peter and a latest Strictly finalist, is laughing with the remainder of us. ‘I enjoyed that more than I should have,’ she says.

Helen is the epitome of no-nonsense and sensible within the face of adversity. In 2022 she moved from Leeds again to her dad and mom’ farm in Cumbria along with her three kids after saying that she and her husband, rugby participant Richie Myler, have been not a pair. 

In October that yr it emerged that Richie was anticipating a child with new companion Stephanie Thirkill. Helen and Richie have since divorced.

She’s naturally guarded about her personal life in public, however not with Gethin and Michelle who, like Helen, have labored on Blue Peter. ‘I’m an over-sharer however I believe I’m in all probability not as shiny as the opposite two so I simply cope with what’s in entrance of me on the time and don’t overthink it,’ she says.

‘Life has brought me full circle and I’m again the place I grew up however that’s a very nice factor. I don’t take something with no consideration, and I’ve additionally regarded within the mirror lots currently. 

‘This can also be what the present is about – delivering one thing that folks can study and develop from as a result of it’s very conversational, very relatable. It’s an extension of the belongings you’re speaking about in day-to-day life.’

Prior to his TV profession, Gethin labored as a financial institution clerk, a phone hotline operator and a builder. While he credit this with grounding him as an individual, he has additionally mentioned navigating his private psychological well being battles, turning to counselling for a few years to assist him by means of a interval of melancholy.

‘I was down for a while so you speak to people and reach out. There’s nonetheless a little bit of a stigma, particularly with blokes, round speaking about issues, however I’ve acquired no points with it. I believe I’m in all probability like Helen – a little bit of an over-sharer. But I’ve acquired nothing to cover and my intentions are good,’ he says.

‘It sounds like a bit of a cliché, but you want to get better as a person every day, otherwise what’s the purpose? And I prefer to suppose it’s made me a greater particular person – a greater listener and extra compassionate.’

Helen is pictured along with her ex-husband, rugby participant Richie Myler, in 2014. Their relationship got here to an finish in 2022 

Gethin grew up in Wales with a love of music due to his dad and mom. He was an achieved violinist and pianist earlier than his TV profession took off, and whereas on Blue Peter he performed on the Proms with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

‘Dad was a headteacher and my mum was a violin teacher so there was a lot of discipline and a very strict sort of upbringing. I think that discipline has helped with loads of stuff I’ve completed, however my extra empathetic aspect comes from a wider spectrum of mates, household and journey. 

‘Even the group on Morning Live are real mates now. We’ve learnt empathy collectively on air. I’m even inviting myself on Michelle’s prolonged honeymoon in Fiji this yr.’

Michelle isn’t just bubbly however her heat has made her a vastly widespread presenter, shifting from Watchdog to The One Show and World’s Strongest Man. She’s additionally been praised for talking out about her personal psychological well being battle after endometriosis left her combating menopause signs aged 24.

‘It’s been one thing I’ve been coping with on a really bodily stage, like ache administration and fertility, nevertheless it massively affected my psychological well being too,’ she says. 

‘I was diagnosed in my early 20s, around the time I started doing work experience at the BBC. It was my first job and I wanted to impress. But it was a time when no one really talked publicly about women’s well being so I didn’t actually really feel supported.

‘I’d be that one that would come into work and be assured but in addition be making an attempt to fight this very bodily aspect of my altering physique.’

Michelle nonetheless hopes to have the ability to begin a household. ‘If I’m fortunate sufficient to have children then that may be pretty, however I really feel very completely satisfied as I’m wanting ahead to getting married and having fun with engaged on a improbable programme with nice mates.’

Gethin can’t resist chiming in. ‘Yes, and you’ve acquired your “younger” brother coming in your honeymoon too. What extra would you like?’

Does he nonetheless wish to obtain his ambition of turning into a dad? ‘Yeah, absolutely,’ he says. ‘But you’ve acquired to seek out the correct particular person alongside the way in which.’

Helen reveals us a snapshot of her kids on the ‘death’ slide at a play centre. ‘Gethin, stay single so you carry on being a great support. And Michelle, you stay as you are so you can tell me how cute my kids are when really they’re wild.’

• Morning Live is made by BBC Studios Factual Entertainment Productions. Watch weekdays from 9.30am on BBC One.