The One Show presenter was left shocked to find out there would be a slight twist on the Friday show, which included an emotional tribute to her and her 15 years on the BBC programme by her loved ones
20:43, 08 Aug 2025Updated 20:44, 08 Aug 2025
The Welsh presenter was clearly moved by the lovely surprise, as she had a tear in her eye(Image: BBC)
Welsh presenter Alex Jones was left moved by an emotional tribute marking her 15 years on BBC’s The One Show. On Friday night, the presenter was told be her co-host Roman Kemp that the special episode would be scattered with surprises, but little did she know it would entail a twist to her usual presenting duties.
Joined by guests singer Olly Murs and presenter and novelist Richard Osman, it only took a few minutes into the BBC programme for Alex to find out exactly what the twist was.
As she began introducing the next segment of the show, which would focus on the film adaptation of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club novel, the novelist interrupted the Ammanford-born presenter and said: “Actually Alex, apologies. I’m not actually not going to be talking about The Thursday Murder Club film.
“I believe they are coming on quite soon to talk about it. I’m here because everyone here asked me if I would come and help surprise you and celebrate 15 years on The One Show”.
Slightly stunned, Alex told Richard that she had in fact watched the film, and “loved it”, and had spent the whole day rehearsing ahead of tonight’s episode alongside Roman Kemp. She joked that she would “never trust you again” to her fellow presenter, who told her: “The rest of the show isn’t anything we’ve rehearsed, just to let you know. The whole thing was a waste of time, completely.”
Alex was left shocked when she found out that the show she had rehearsed with her fellow host, Roman Kemp, would not be happening(Image: BBC)
He continued: “We were trying to think the best way to surprise you – what have you not done on this show. And you’ve done everything, bar one thing… you’ve never actually been a guest on this show”.
With a cheer from the set, Alex and Richard swapped seats, with The One Show host now in the guest chair. They began her interview with an emotional tribute, which included interviews from her loved ones including her parents, as well as clips of her presenting during the early days.
During the special video, which was shown to Alex in the studio, her mum Mary recalled: “Alex was always a quite a shy child, but always quietly confident. She knew from a very young age where she was heading”.
A pupil at Ysgol Maes-yr-Yrfa, Alex began to grow as an individual. “I began to see her blossoming,” her drama teacher, Delyth Nicholas said. “Then, when I see that in a pupil, I push them along. The more she did, the more she developed.”
Her parents, Mary and Alun Jones, spoke of her childhood and her dream of pursuing a career in the world of TV(Image: BBC)
Alex then pursued a career in the world of TV, and got her foot in the door whilst appearing on S4C’s magazine show Heno. Huw ‘Fash’ Rees, a fashion expert and presenter on Heno, shared fond memories of Alex. He said: “As it happens, the S4C appeal week, and we needed a model and Alex ends up in front of camera. Nothing you asked her was ever too much trouble.
“She was always one of those people who were great at meeting and greeting everyone who came to talk to us.” Alex then went on to study at Aberystwyth University, but during her final exams, Alex was invited to appear on ITV’s reality show Prickly Heart, which was presented by Davina McCall.
Alex managed to convince her university to let her sit her final exam in Spain while filming the show. During the tribute, Davina said: “Your exam papers were sent to Magaluf and you sat your exams. I think I invigilated for you.”
Alex with her family growing up(Image: BBC)
She then became a familiar face in Wales, presenting various Welsh language shows such as Uned 5 and Hip neu Sgip?. Sandy Smith, a former editor of The One Show, explained they had interviewed 40-50 women to replace Christine Bleakley, but Alex was the one that stood out.
“And then we found this Welsh speaking wonder, who amused us,” he explained. “Eventually, we got her in and she left behind a really good impression. There were people who were famous, perhaps more polished, but they didn’t quite convey that sense of authenticity”.
According to her mum, Alex travelled back and forth to London in the lead up to her gig with The One Show, and would often call her and tell her: “The sofa feels so right when I sit on it”.
And in 2010, Alex got the job, making a difference to people’s days on the screen, but also leaving a marking legacy in her hometown of Ammanford.
“We’ve got photos of Alex here in school,” Cerys Gruffydd, the headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman and Alex’s childhood friend, said. “And that reminds us all that she was once a pupil here and look where she’s gone to, she’s achieved.”
Her drama teacher, Delyth, added: “She hasn’t forgotten her Welshness, and she hasn’t forgotten herself.”
As she watched the tribute from the studio, Alex was seemingly moved to tears. Sandy also added: “She feels things the way we feel and that is authenticity. There was definitely an element of luck for Al getting the job, but there’s no luck in keeping the job for 15 years.”
Her mother said: “Nobody’s allowed to get above their station in Wales, however well you’ve done. We are very proud of her and always will be.” After the compilation came to an end, Alex was clearly moved, with a tear in her eye.
When asked how it felt getting the call confirming the job, Alex said: “It changed my life. And honestly, I am still as excited doing this job now.”