Visit Preston catches up with Jo Whiley at Radio 2 in the Park

Off the back of the incredible live broadcast of Jo Whiley's show from The Ferret on Thursday 5 September, Visit Preston caught up with the iconic presenter at Radio 2 in the Park for a quick chat about music and her time in Preston.

How has your Preston experience been so far?

Well, it kicked off fantastically by doing the show at the Ferret, it was really lovely!

It reminded me of when I was starting out in music and in radio at Radio Sussex, and being surrounded by people, who were so passionate about music and bringing it to people who were investing in music and so it took me back to those days.

It was an incredible event to witness!

It really was, and those bands who played were just fantastic.

Of all your accolades how high up is reading the CBeebies bedtime story?

I was so honoured to be asked, Jackanory was the equivalent when I was growing up. I always wanted to read Jackanory and now I've done it!

What's possibly next after that?

I've peaked, if I'm honest with you!

What's your shiniest happiest song?

That's impossible to answer! Probably Mr Brightside is the one that gets me going. I did it at karaoke last night, My Mum and Dad had a party, and I was like I'm not doing karaoke, I'm not doing karaoke!  Then, Mr Brightside started and there I was suddenly singing into the microphone!

You asked the artists at the Ferret what their favourite pudding was, so we were wondering what yours is?

My favourite pudding is Eton mess, it's a toss-up between Tiramisù; as long as it's got lashings of cream, I'm there!

How important are venues like The Ferret and opportunities like BBC Introducing for musicians?

There are communities throughout the whole of the country who are really hungry for music, they want to go out and have a good time and discover bands. Every single city has somewhere that is a hub for creativity and people, who are obsessed with the arts and with music.

If you don't have places like The Ferret in Preston, The Roadmender in Northampton, The Great Escape Festival or The Zap in Brighton, then where do those people go?

We need to give the music to people and give the artists a platform for somewhere to play.

Describe Preston in three words?

Very very friendly!

Everyone I've met, coming in on the train to Preston, all the people on the platforms and people on the trains, everyone's just so excited about us being here and they're all just really big music fans as well.

I've had lots of lovely conversations about music with people in Preston, who are delighted that we're here.

Jo Whiley's live broadcast from the Ferret on Thursday, 5 September can be listened back to on BBC Sounds.

Image credit - Michael Porter Photography.