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Jojo
Jojo lives in Edinburgh with husband Allan and their four children: Ruaridh (13), Eilidh (8), Ciara (11) and Fynn (2).
Q: Why did you want to be on Wife Swap?
A: As a stand-up comedian I figured it would be a brilliant source for material (and it was!). I talked to Allan about it and we both agreed that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We're such a disgustingly happy family that we realised we could handle anything – we knew we'd be OK.
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: Coming back home! Really though, it was a hugely emotional journey – it's incredibly hard to spend ten days away from your family and friends. It made me realise what a fantastic support network I have at home.
Seeing the change in Gary over the week was wonderful. Over the swap period, the house really lit up as everyone learned to chill out a bit more.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find difficult?
A: Having no contact with family and friends is incredibly difficult. Also, following Dawn's rules was very hard for me. I enjoy interaction with people but under those rules I just cleaned non-stop. And to me, that's a surface-level thing to do. Sure, you end up with a clean house, but there's no real substance in the change it makes.
Q: How did your family cope with the swap?
A: Dawn was great with the kids – they really liked her. Allan found it very difficult – mainly because he missed me and the energy that I bring into the house. He didn't want to burden the kids with his problems though so kept his feelings to himself, which made it even harder.
We live such an equal life too, so it was very hard for him under Dawn's rules. She did everything and he felt like he had no place in the house and could make no contribution.
Q: Do you relate to your family differently?
A: No – I relate to them in exactly the same way as I did before the swap. We were all very happy the way things were beforehand – we'd chat, play games together, debate – and that's the way we are now.
Q: Has it changed you at all?
A: Yes – I appreciate what I have even more. My thinking is to just ‘let people be’. I would never want Dawn's life, but I also know she wouldn't want mine. We're different people living in different ways – as long as we don't hurt anybody then we'll all just get on with it.
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Dawn
Dawn lives in Doncaster with her partner Gary, and her two children: Lewis (12) and Kirstie (11).
Q: Why did you want to be on Wife Swap?
A: Gary and I have watched Wife Swap since day one and always said we'd be great on it. A girl I work with had heard that they were looking for new couples for the show and I said I'd be interested. I thought Gary might say "no" to it but when he spoke to them he said "yes" – a few weeks later we were filming!
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: I really, really enjoyed giving the kids things that they didn't have before – clean, ironed clothes and pyjamas, that sort of thing.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find hardest?
A: I think the first five days were the most difficult as I had to follow Jojo's rules. It was really hard for me to not do as much as I'm used to and to lay in bed until 11am! The kids fended for themselves and the toddler roamed the house and I really wasn't used to that.
Q: How did your family cope with the swap?
A: The kids played up a bit, but I think that was down to stress. It's hard for them to spend that much time away from me, and from their dad who they usually see three times a week. It did help them to get a lot closer to Gary though which is a great thing.
At first, they all thought Jojo was brilliant – really chilled out. But, I think after a while they though that she was too chilled out.
Q: Do you relate to your family differently?
A: Yeah, definitely – I'm much less stubborn now and more open to receiving help from the kids and Gary. There's more of a sense that we all chip in and we're more a ‘family of four’ now, instead of just me at the head of the table.
Q: Has it changed you at all?
A: I've definitely learned to say "No" a lot more now – for example, I don't do my neighbour's ironing any more. My New Year's resolution has been to put myself first more often. I realised that I wasn't really pleasing my family by doing everything for them and that spending more time together is much better.
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