Scottish TV personality Jean Johansson is once again gracing our screens, guiding prospective homeowners on . Born in Kenya and brought up in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Jean embarked on her broadcasting journey in 1998 with CBBC and The Disney Channel.
However, since 2018, she has been a familiar face on . Audiences may also recognise her from Celebrity MasterChef, This Morning’s competition segments, and her victorious stint on Celebrity Mastermind in 2022.
At 43, she leads a tranquil life in a historic home with her international footballer spouse and their teenage son. But what more do we know about Jean Johansson’s off-camera life?
What is Jean Johansson known for?
udience Award – Jean Johansson, A Place in the Sun (Image: Daily Record)
reports Scottish broadcaster Jean has had a diverse and intriguing career, from dousing kids on CBBC to interviewing Sir at a Scottish Labour event.
Raised in Port Glasgow, Jean attended the local high school before progressing to college and then Paisley University, now known as the University of the West of Scotland.
Johansson dedicated ten years to carving out a successful career in children’s television, with early screen appearances including Ukool, a trendy lifestyle show on CBBC, and Studio Disney, an interactive live programme on Disney Channel. Since joining the series in 2018, Jean Johansson is best known for her role as a presenter on Channel 4’s .
The TV host triumphed on Celebrity Mastermind in 2022, showcasing her expertise on Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue and clinching the title against competitors James Acaster, Michelle Gayle, Jean Johansson, and Charlotte Worthington. Not only is she a familiar face on This Morning’s competition segments, but she’s also vocal about her aspirations to take the reins of the ITV daytime programme.
Speaking to OK! Magazine in 2023, she expressed her excitement: “I’m now the proud competition host. I just knew it was meant to be. My first competition was in my home area of Inverclyde. It was a really special moment.”
But for Jean, this role is merely the beginning of what she hopes will be a flourishing journey on the show. She elaborated: “I’ve been really honest about my ambitions to get on the sofa one day and I’m one step closer.”
She also acknowledged the support from her peers: “Everyone has been supportive and that’s not always the case in TV. It’s been great to work closely with Josie Gibson. We’ve been friends for years and she’s got so much warmth.”
‘Life-changing’ diagnosis after putting off appointment
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A Place In The Sun presenter Jean Johannsson has been diagnosed with presbyopia – the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects.
After being in denial about her declining eyesight for many years, Jean finally made an appointment at an opticians and was later given the not-so-good news she was dreading.
Since her diagnosis however, the property expert said: “I can honestly say it’s been life-changing.
“I’m not entirely sure why it took me so long to admit I needed glasses. I suppose it’s partly to do with fighting the ageing process, but I’ve accepted that I’m getting older and my vision deteriorating is part of that.”
Jean said since getting her new glasses, she is “enjoying a whole new of not having to squint” while reading scripts or text messages.
“I’m [also] no longer stealing my mum’s glasses to read a menu in a restaurant,” she wrote in her Sunday Mail column.
“I doubt if I’ll be joining Jennifer Aniston and as the world’s sexiest spec wearers, but I love my new frames and I think that they look great.”
Who is Jean Johannson married to?
Jean has been married to former footballer Jonatan Johansson since 2008 (Image: Reach plc)
Jean Johannson is wed to ex-professional Finnish football star Jonatan Johansson, whose career saw him feature for clubs like Rangers, Charlton Athletic, Malmo, and Hibernian, and who now imparts his knowledge as an academy coach at Rangers.
Their romantic journey began unexpectedly when Jean, then a teenager working part-time, met Jonatan, aged 22 and a golf enthusiast, at a Langbank golf club.
Reflecting with the Glasgow Times, Jean reminisced: “I was still at school and had a part-time job at a golf club in Langbank. He used to come in and play a lot of golf. We met there.”
“I had no interest in settling down with anyone. I was getting ready to finish school and go off travelling. I was just starting my life and not looking for a boyfriend at all.”
Jean and Jonatan married and later renewed their marriage vows a decade later in Majorca. They share a 13-year-old son called Junior who is part of Ayr United’s youth academy.
Jean Johannson’s stunning historic home
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The couple, along with their 13 year old son Junior, live in an awe-inspiring five-bedroom, 19th-century abode that was once the residence of a Scottish whisky baron situated in the scenic region of Ayrshire.
This breathtaking property boasts a magnificent entrance hall graced by a roaring fireplace and a regal staircase cloaked in red carpet, making for a picture-perfect family home appearing to leap from the pages of a storybook.
Jean, who often finds herself on the go with a schedule packed with hotel stays and airport transits, told to OK! Magazine in October about the serenity she found in her historic home: “From hotel rooms to airport lounges, I’m always busy. That’s why I wanted a peaceful home,” she professed.
“Of all the decisions I’ve ever made, this house is by far one of the best. We’ve now lived here for almost 14 years.”
The presenter described her enduring affection for the property, recounting multiple visits before setting down roots: “I viewed the house seven times. I looked at it during the day, at night, when there was good and bad weather. It’s my sanctuary. I love lighting a fire and relaxing with my family.”
She then went on to detail how she’s paid tribute to her Kenya heritage with the living room area, which she refers to as her African room. Jean explained: “My mum is from Uganda and I really wanted to have that inspiration in this room.
“There’s African artwork and artefacts that I picked up when I was in Uganda. I’m not a big art collector but I bought the main painting in the room from someone at the side of a road.
“I loved it because it shows what African women are all about – working, babies on their back, and getting it done. It’s really beautiful.”