Scottish presenter Jean Johansson is back on our screens as she helps housebuyers on A Place in the Sun.
Born in Kenya and raised in Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, Jean began her career in 1998 on CBBC and The Disney Channel, but since 2018 she has been a presenter on A Place in the Sun.
Viewers will also know she has appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and This Morning’s competition segments as well as win Celebrity Mastermind in 2022.
The 43-year-old enjoys a peaceful life in a historic property with her international footballer husband and their teenage son. But what else do we know about Jean Johansson’s life off-screen?
What is Jean Johansson known for?
Scottish broadcaster Jean has led a varied and fascinating career, from gunging kids on CBBC to interviewing Sir Keir Starmer at an event for Scottish Labour.
Jeanwas raised in Port Glasgow, where she attended the local high school before studying at college and then moving onto Paisley University, which is now known as the University of the West of Scotland.
Johansson spent a decade building a successful career working in children’s TV and her earliest on screen appearances include Ukool, a CBBC lifestyle show full of the latest trends and advice and Studio Disney, an interactive live show on Disney Channel.
Jean Johansson is well known for being a presenter on Channel 4 show A Place in the Sun after she joined the series in 2018.
The presenter appeared on Celebrity Mastermind in 2022 with her specialist subject being the Australian popstar Kylie Minogue. She won the trophy after beating James Acaster, Michelle Gayle, Jean Johansson and Charlotte Worthington.
Jean is also a regular on This Morning’s competition segments and even openly admitted she wants to host the ITV daytime show.
She told OK! Magazine in 2023: “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.”
However, Jean says she hopes that this is just “the start” of her career on the ITV mid-morning show. She went on to add: “I’ve been really honest about my ambitions to get on the sofa one day and I’m one step closer.
“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
A Place In The Sun presenter Jean Johannsson has been diagnosed with presbyopia – the gradual loss of your eyes’ 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 world 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 Rihanna 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 is currently married to former professional Finnish footballer Jonatan Johansson. The international striker previously played for Rangers, Charlton Athletic, Malmo and Hibernian and is now an academy coach at Rangers.
Jean first met her husband as a teen working part-time at a golf club in the Scottish village of Langbank. She ended up chatting with keen golfer Jonatan, then 22, and sparks soon flew.
Opening up about those early days with the Glasgow Times, Jean remembered: “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
Jean, Jonatan, and Junior live in a beautiful five-bedroom, 19th-century property originally built for a Scottish whisky baron in Ayrshire.
The property has a roaring fireplace in the entrance hall and a majestic red-carpeted staircase, the stunning family home looks like something out of a fairytale.
Speaking with OK! in October, Jean shared: “From hotel rooms to airport lounges, I’m always busy. That’s why I wanted a peaceful home.
“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.
“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.”