Alex Jones worried she had 'left it too late' to become a mum
Alex Jones was scared that she had "left it too late" when it came to having children and now describes her kids as "the most fantastic and welcome surprise".
The host of The One Show, who is now 45 years old, told the Mirror she worried that she would go through an early menopause, just like her mother did at the age of 44.
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Jones made a documentary about her fears in 2016 called Fertility and Me and has recently recorded new series Making Babies, in which she trains as a fertility assistant.
"[My children were] a complete shock. Every baby I’ve had has always reminded me of that documentary that I made when I didn’t think I could have children," said Jones.
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Jones and insurance broker husband Charlie Thomson now have three children — five-year-old Teddy, three-year-old Kit and 13-month-old Annie.
"In the back of my mind, and this is a bit of a secret, I always wanted three kids but I thought 'oh Alex, don’t be silly – you have left it too late'," said the presenter.
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She added: "So Annie was the most fantastic and welcome surprise because so many friends and colleagues have been through the mill.
"It hasn’t been the most straightforward for us along the way, but we got there in the end."
Jones experienced a miscarriage in 2017 while Teddy was 10 months old and chose to return to work later that day, filming The One Show live.
She said: "It opens your eyes to how complex pregnancy can be. For an awful lot of people, trying to create a family is never straightforward."
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Jones said this is part of the reason why she and her husband have decided not to have any more children, despite their love for all three babies they have had so far.
"I would have babies forever more, but the reality is that we feel super lucky to have three healthy children and if there is any fertility luck left, I want to pass it on to someone," she added.
Jones also spoke about her Strictly Come Dancing experience ahead of the launch of the new series this weekend, with the star tipping Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton for victory.
She said: "It’s fantastic and, if I was a betting girl, I’d say there is a good chance we will see her in the final. If anybody can lift the trophy, it’s Helen Skelton."
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Jones ultimately finished fifth on the 2011 edition of the show, teaming with professional partner James Jordan, but said she wouldn't be able to do it now.
She said: "I couldn’t have done Strictly now with three children under the age of six and a job on The One Show, but it worked for me in 2011 because there was no one else to worry about."
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