Alex Jones on her pride at hosting the BBC’s coverage of the Sydney Invictus Games and how founder Prince Harry is a real charmer
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, return for a fourth year next week. The Games, which see wounded and sick armed forces personnel and veterans compete in adaptive sports will take place in Sydney and will be a centrepiece of parents-to-be Harry and Meghan’s royal tour Down Under. Meanwhile Alex Jones and JJ Chalmers will host daily coverage of the Invictus Games on BBC1.
Here One Show star Alex Jones reveals her thrill at presenting this year’s Invictus Games from Sydney…
TV Times: This is Harry and Meghan’s first appearance at the Games as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, what will that bring?
Alex Jones: “There’s extra excitement because they’ve captured the nation’s hearts and having them in Sydney will shine a bigger spotlight on the Games. I’ll be dying to see what she is wearing. I love Meghan! And Harry’s so nice to chat to, down-to-earth and charismatic. I remember speaking to him for the first Games; he was so passionate about it. He has such a strong connection to the military, they’re his mates, and he just had this vision and wanted to give something back.”
TVT Are you looking forward to being in Sydney?
AJ: “Yes, it’s my first time covering the Games and I’m excited, it's a special opportunity. We’ve supported Invictus on The One Show since its inception but I’m looking forward to being in the middle of it and getting to know the people whose lives it’s going to transform and their families.”
TVT: What makes the Invictus Games so special?
AJ: “A lot of people like me don’t have an understanding of the military so the Games unlock that door to the stories of how people who have seen horrendous things have come through it. We are trying to widen it out a bit. There will be competitions and medals but it’s about what these people have been through to get to Invictus and then how the Games will move them forward as well.”
TVT: Do you think Invictus is important for their family and friends too?
AJ: “Yes what I take from it, from a mother’s perspective, is that you have seen your son or daughter go into the military and then something horrendous happens to them but then Invictus gives them a platform to shine again and come out the other side and achieve something else. So for the parents watching that must be such a relief.”
The Invictus Games airs daily on BBC1 from Saturday 20 October
Prince Harry and Meghan pic: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
