Alex Jones regrets ‘ridiculous’ decision to return to The One Show so soon after giving birth

'I’d made unrealistic promises before I went off to have a baby,' presenter says

(Good Housekeeping/Rachell Smith)

Alex Jones has said she regrets returning to work so soon after the birth of her first child.

The One Show presenter gave birth to her son, Teddy, in January 2017 and had returned to host the programme by April that same year.

Speaking to Good Housekeeping, the 42-year-old explained she had made “unrealistic promises” to the BBC, on which The One Show airs, prior to leaving for maternity leave.

“I’d never had a child before; I had no idea,” she said of her error in judgment.

“And I had this fear it would interfere, that I’d have to compromise my work life.

“I now realise that was ridiculous because in fact I think [taking a break] makes you better at work. It makes you a little bit more resilient which is what you have to be in this industry. And in life!”

Jones welcomed her second son, Kit, in May with her husband Charlie Thomson. The broadcaster told the publication she has no plans to have more children.

“Charlie is adamant that for the sake of the planet, two children is enough,” she explained.

“And I think I’m too old to have another child now, anyway. It happens for a lot of people and good for them, but we’re just glad we have two healthy children.”

Jones went on to discuss the pressure for women to “have it all” with regards to their family and professional lives.

“For me personally, some days I don’t think [having it all is] possible,” she said.

(Good Housekeeping/Rachell Smith (Good Housekeeping/Rachell Smith)

“It’s a struggle. I try to be the best mother I can be, but some days I’m absolutely awful at it.

“Life isn’t this series of perfect days where work is going amazingly and you’re a brilliant wife…. that’s how it is for everybody I think, but people are just too scared to say it.”

The full interview appears in the April issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale now