Jo Durrant
LightNews LightNews
banner
joannadurrant.bsky.social
Jo Durrant
@joannadurrant.bsky.social
600 followers 320 following 400 posts
🎧🎙 Award-winning presenter: Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast (independent - arts/science) | Event host | Podcaster | Broadcaster | Love theatre, history, space

🌐 https://jodurrant.co.uk/

🌐 https://jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com/
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
joannadurrant.bsky.social
Jo Durrant @joannadurrant.bsky.social · Nov 16
👋🏻 Hello friends! 🦋 I’m a broadcaster, podcaster & event host. I went freelance a year ago after 20 years at the BBC.

I now combine radio work with being an on stage interviewer at festivals & events.

I my spare time I make my award-winning arts & science podcast Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe.
Jo’s headshot - on a stool, wearing a black leather jacket and black dress with stars on Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork Jo sitting in a radio studio behind the microphone, wearing headphones Jo on stage in conversation, with a microphone in front of her. She is sitting in a chair holding a clipboard. She wears a white and red dress, red cardigan and red shoes
joannadurrant.bsky.social
It’s been two years since I left my full time staff job at the BBC, after 20 years, to go freelance. It was a big leap of faith & it’s taken a lot of hard work, tenacity & determination to make a success of my new freelance career. I’m so proud of what I have achieved & glad that I did take a risk ❤️
Jo on stage at Harvington History Festival, wearing a red dress and white cardigan, sitting down interviewing Jo on stage at Gloucester History Festival, wearing a black dress with gold stars and gold shrug, sitting down interviewing Jo in her home studio with headphones on and space backdrop, wearing a white top and blue cardigan Jo in the studio at BBC Radio Gloucestershire with headphones on and microphone in front of her, wearing a blue dress with small white harts on and a blue denim jacket with a TARDIS pin badge on
November 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
A belated #FashionFriday wearing a red tea dress with white flowers, red cardigan & my favourite red shoes - on stage at @stroudbookfestival.bsky.social last night
Jo wears a red dress, cardigan and shoes, sitting on stage in a stripy chair and with a red rug on the floor Jo wears a red dress with white flowers on, red cardigan and a poppy on
November 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
Remember remember the fifth of November 💥 Back in July I had the pleasure of chairing a panel exploding the myths of the Gunpowder Plot with @elegantfowl.bsky.social @misswalsingham.bsky.social Prof Stephen Alford and @enortonhistory.bsky.social at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival
Pete, Nadine, Stephen, Elizabeth and Jo on stage Jo on stage
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
rossiterbooks.bsky.social
Rick Stein's latest book is another beauty!
Filled with recipes and memories it is a wonderful festive treat.

Join us for an evening with Rick in #Cheltenham on Friday 14th November 7pm for what promises to be a great evening!

@joannadurrant.bsky.social

www.ticketsource.co.uk/rossiterbook...
November 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
Enjoyed a brilliant evening on Friday at @cirenhistoryfest.bsky.social on Halloween, in conversation with Charlie & Daisy May Cooper about their new series Nightwatch. It was such a fun evening and a sell out! Thanks for asking me!

Photos (1-3): @paulawhitcher.bsky.social & B&W photo: Olivia Dale
Charlie, Jo and Daisy on stage Jo on stage laughing Daisy, Charlie and Jo in conversation on stage Jo, Charlie and Daisy on stage, taken from wings. Black and white image
November 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
My November events:

🦆 Sat 1st: FW Harvey Panel inc @stewartcarswell.co.uk @jasonfod.bsky.social

🕵🏼‍♀️ Fri 7th: @mandy-mjrobotham.bsky.social & Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall at @stroudbookfestival.bsky.social

🍽️ Fri 14th: Rick Stein @rossiterbooks.bsky.social

🎤 Tues 25th: Talk at Ribston

jodurrant.co.uk
A list of events in November and image of Jo in top right corner, purple background
November 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎧 Ep 255 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @1642author.bsky.social talks about passion for 17th century history, Prince Rupert & Quick Six

🐾 Story of echidna at @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎧 Ep 255 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @1642author.bsky.social talks about passion for 17th century history, Prince Rupert & Quick Six

🐾 Story of echidna at @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Arts Podcast · Updated weekly · Jo Durrant celebrates and explores arts and science as part of our culture. Winner of the 2021 Sir Arthur Clarke Award: Space Achievement - Media, broadcast & written.
podcasts.apple.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
I’m looking forward to recording the start of a brand new series for Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast with Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social - our A-Z of science fiction cinema. What are your fav films, people, themes beginning with A?

@muttleybloke.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎧 Ep 254 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @nikkiclark86.bsky.social on being a Tudor historian, her book The Waiting Game & Quick Six

🫘 Faith Douglas is back with A-Z of plants - the lentil

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
Had a brilliant afternoon at Wells Festival of Literature in conversation with @ginarippon.bsky.social about her book ‘The Lost Girls of Autism’. Fantastic audience and a very welcoming festival. Thank you for asking me back!
Jo and Gina sitting on stage
October 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
#FashionFriday was actually taken on my Birthday on Sunday! One of my autumn dresses, black lace and a leather jacket I’ve had since I was 17!
October 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
It was lovely to have a chat with Dame Jacqueline Wilson at Cheltenham Literature Festival about her latest book and revisiting characters from her much loved children’s books. Hear with @jonysmith.bsky.social on his BBC Glos Breakfast Show 6-10am

@paddytracey.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 6:06 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
A belated #SaturdayStyle - wearing a new silver sparkly dress, shrug & shoes to celebrate my Birthday with friends 🩶🩷
October 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
A couple of weeks ago I had a lovely time at Chelsea History Festival doing 2 in conversation events: First with Dr Daniel Swift on his book The Dream Factory & then with @nicolatallis.bsky.social on her book Young Elizabeth.
October 11, 2025 at 9:42 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎉 My 5 year anniversary of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast, ep 253 is out now!

🤩 @barrycsmith.bsky.social on favourite smells of my Quick Six guests!

🧪 @jamiebgall.co.uk on Periodic Table in TV shows

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork Barry and Jo Jamie holding a Periodic Table book Jo and Jamie do an interview remotely
October 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
My 5 year anniversary, ep 253 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @barrycsmith.bsky.social on favourite smells of my Quick Six guests!

🧪 @jamiebgall.co.uk on about Periodic Table in TV shows

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
george-station-cat.bsky.social
Good Morning & welcome to marvellous marmalade Monday

Promise yourself you'll stop overthinking. Just for today, let things flow.
October 6, 2025 at 6:03 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
#saturdaystyle wearing a blue lace dress with white butterflies on to host an event this afternoon
Jo wears a blue lace dress with white butterflies on and blue denim jacket, outside Little Malvern Priory
October 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎃 My October Events:

Today - hosting an event at Little Malvern Priory

Tomorrow 2 events at Cuckfield Book Festival

To come - Wells Festival of Literature, Dorchester Literary Festival & Cirencester History Festival

jodurrant.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 12:57 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
EXCITING NEWS! This year I’ve had the pleasure of presenting & editing ‘The Life & Times of Catherine Drew’ podcast for @readingtheforest.bsky.social l- it was great to go on this journey with Roger Deeks and to speak to brilliant guests about the poet.

Out now! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
A mural of Catherine Drew on a wall Jo and Roger in the churchyard Jo and Eric doing an interview Jo looking at archive with Jason and Nicola
September 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
rwldproject.bsky.social
#ICYMI this week Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike featured on Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe podcast!

@joannadurrant.bsky.social

Have a listen & find out more about #Railway200, as well as the project - & plenty more!

👇
bsky.app/profile/joan...
September 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
rwldproject.bsky.social
Lots of fun to join @joannadurrant.bsky.social for this - as ever, it goes in directions we'd not anticipated, and is better for it!

👇
joannadurrant.bsky.social Jo Durrant @joannadurrant.bsky.social · Sep 23
🎧 Ep 251 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 Dr Mike Esbester @rwldproject.bsky.social discusses railway history & accidents, #Railway200 & Quick Six

🍁 Faith Douglas A-Z plants - the Katsura tree

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎧 Ep 251 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 Dr Mike Esbester @rwldproject.bsky.social discusses railway history & accidents, #Railway200 & Quick Six

🍁 Faith Douglas A-Z plants - the Katsura tree

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:39 AM
joannadurrant.bsky.social
📻 In case you missed it… there’s three days left to catch up on my show on BBC Glos from Bank Holiday Monday, including the latest on the phone box being turned into a museum in the Forest of Dean

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Jo Durrant - 25/08/2025 - BBC Sounds
Jo has your stories and great music to take you into the afternoon.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 21, 2025 at 11:54 AM