Julian Jones

Hi, I'm the new bloke at Heart, so thought I'd tell you a bit about me. 

I'm so happy to be back in the Midlands after living and working over in the East Midlands for 3 years. All my family live here, as do many of my friends. And I can't wait to get out and enjoy all the things to do here.

Aside from the 3 years over on the 'East-side' my life has always been here: having grown up in Halesowen and Stourbridge, and going to The University of Birmingham (randomly to get a degree in Microbiology! That's come in handy!!!)

Away from radio I really enjoy travelling, and after uni I took a year out to do the whole backpacking thing round Asia and Australia.  This began my adventurous streak having thrown myself out of a plane at 10,000 feet (twice!) and jumped off a bridge in New Zealand into an ice cold river below, with just a collection of rubber bands tied together.  But apparently Lord of the Rings was filmed there, so that made things more acceptable somehow!

I have had many "stand-out" moments in my time 'on the wireless'. I was involved an "incident" whereby a friend of mine nearly poked out Gabrielle's other decent eye!  I've been upstaged and embarrassed by Sharleen Spiteri at a gig in front of 3,000 people.  I set-up my mate and told him that Amy Winehouse was sort of a British version of Katie Melua (she was far from happy - but it made me laugh). I've had a rendezvous with Nadine & Kimberley from Girls Aloud in the storeroom of HMV at the Merry Hill centre.  I've enjoyed a private joke with Ricky Gervais... and I've argued with a coach driver in LA when he was parked awkwardly, and then realised it was Britney's tour bus and she was just about to get out for a gig at the infamous House of Blues (still no excuse for bad parking!!!).

So yeah, life's been pretty eventful so far I guess, and I don't think there's any more tales to tell..... buy me a beer, and I'm sure I'll think of a few more!!!!!

And if you still want to know more......

Where are you from originally? This is a long winded answer: I was born in North Wales, and all my relations live in Colwyn Bay. But I've always lived in Birmingham, so consider myself a brummie.

When did you start your first job? I was 16, and worked in Waitrose in Stourbridge... it was my job to make sure the yoghurts and the milk were stacked correctly! If I was good, they'd let me go on the tills!

When did you start your first radio job, what was it? I worked in the press office for another Midlands station in 1998 on work experience for 6 months, and just worked my way up the ladder really

Worst job you've done? Checking staples on magazines in a factory in Melbourne, Australia.

And the best...What I'm doing right now!

What do you like outside of work? Seeing my friends, watching films, listening to music, and going to concerts - so glad to be back in the Midlands with all the gigs that happen here.

Your favourite TV show? Friends, Gavin & Stacey, and I have a guilty pleasure for nature programmes, and also Question Time (it makes me feel clever!)

Favourite meal? Anything that is cooked for me

Favourite drink? Anything that is bought for me!

Favourite thing to do at the weekend? Well, after my weekend breakfast shows, usually just chill out with friends, maybe head out for a meal or a couple of drinks.

What are you like in the morning? Surprisingly ok once I'm up.  But getting up is the difficult part.

How does your best friend describe you? I can't put exactly what my best friend would call me! Instead, I'll say, an all round good bloke, but far too sarcastic sometimes!

How does your Mother describe you? My son off the radio!

Last film you saw? I got through an hour and a half of Avatar and thought 'this goes on a bit' - I'll get round to watching the second half soon.

What would the title of your biography be called? 'Not You Again'

Party animal or bystander? Depends on who's party, and if I'm being well behaved!

Which celebrity would you have play you in a film of your life? Leonardo DiCaprio, he's a brilliant actor, so when it came to the boring bits of my life, he'd be able to make them seem interesting

What is your single worst fear? Spiders - without a shadow of a doubt

Your most embarrasing moment? I threw up half way through a travel report when I was in a light aircraft over the skies of Birmingham... I'm not the best traveller.

What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The cream always rises to the top!

Any nicknames? Jonesy, J, erm those are the clean ones.

The best gig you ever went to? Madonna Drowned World tour in Paris - just incredible. Also, I managed to blag my way into the Golden Circle for the Live 8 gigs, what an amazing day.

The first record you ever bought and where? Five Star - Another Weekend, from Woolworths in Halesowen.

Your favourite place to go on holiday? Either America or Australia. I have some great friends in both places, so try and see them as much as possible.