Place in the Sun star Jean Johansson's famous husband and stunning mega-mansion

06 November 2023 , 15:00

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TV presenter Jean Johansson jets around the world 25 weeks of the year filming A Place in the Sun (Image: Daily Record)

Scottish broadcaster Jean Johansson has been on Channel 4's A Place in the Sun for five years and now spends 25 weeks of the year filming the show in various sun-drenched locations across Europe. But the Kenyan-born TV presenter loves nothing more than coming home to her family and mega-mansion in Ayrshire, Scotland.

The mum-of-one, 41, splits her time between the UK and Scandinavia, where her husband, former professional Finnish footballer Jonatan Johansson, 48, is from. The couple share a 12-year-old son called Junior and live in a stunning five-bedroom, 19th-century property that was originally built for a Scottish whisky baron.

Her mega-mansion in Ayrshire, Scotland (Mel Yates/OK!)

With professional footballer husband Jonatan Johansson (DAILY RECORD)

Childhood sweethearts Jean and Jonatan met at school and tied the knot in 2008, then renewed their marriage vows in 2018. Speaking about the emotional ceremony, she told the Glasgow Times: "I can't believe it. We were just a pair of kids running around Glasgow and here we are 20 years later." Together, the couple has bought, developed and sold several properties, using Jean's expertise and experience - but their own home is their favourite sale.

"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," Jean told OK! magazine last month, adding: "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 always wanted a peaceful home to come back to (Mel Yates/OK!)

As glamorous as jetting across the world is, Jean admitted that it has its downsides and she misses out on parts of motherhood. "I miss out on a lot at home, including Junior's football games or school concerts. It's frustrating, but that's a juggle for any working mum. When it comes to childcare, we use both sets of grandmas, our friends and sisters," she told the publication. "We have a really good network that helps us out, and during the school holidays Junior travels with me. It's important for my husband and I to show Junior what you can achieve with a hard work ethic."

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Away from Channel 4, Jean is also a regular on This Morning's competition segments and she won the coveted Celebrity Mastermind trophy in 2022. The star has openly admitted that she aims to take over the This Morning sofa after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield both walked away from the show. In a new interview, Jean says she was "banging on This Morning's door for years," in order to get her job.

She told OK! Magazine last month: "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."

Jean with son Junior when he was a baby (UGC)

She has her sights set on This Morning (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock for NTA)

In an interview about her travels with the Mirror earlier this year, Jean said: "When I first started, I travelled with massive suitcases, now I'm a hand luggage girl. I'm a micropacker. I've gotten really good at it." She said her key to light-packing success is to plan ahead and think about what situations you're likely to be in. Luckily, the star only needs one dress for five days of filming, as she always has to wear the same outfit on screen - so she just washes it in her room.

Jean likes to keep in touch with guests on the show and said Paul and Bev - who moved to Torrevieja together 18 years after meeting online - hold a special place in her heart. "I go and have dinner with Paul and Bev in Spain when I'm there," she explained. "They have become fluent Spanish speakers. That's just gorgeous. I always encourage them to learn the language. I'd never have thought they'd be fluent in Spanish, but now he is part of the community. How much he's immersed himself in Spanish life has inspired me."

Nia Dalton