Glamorous radio star Jackie O is about to embark on the huge task of co-hosting Big Brother. And while most would find juggling a morning radio show and a TV gig a big challenge, Jackie's not only taking it in her stride, but she's also hoping to start a family soon too.

'It's definitely part of the plan,' she says. For the past few years Jackie, 33, and her husband of five years Lee Henderson have been building a home in Kangaroo Valley, on the NSW south coast. Now it's almost complete, they hope to spend more time there, eventually with a family of their own.

'Initially the design was very modern and open plan,' she says. 'But that was when it was only going to be a weekender.

'Then we decided if we were going to have kids, it's not really the kind of house you'd want to raise a family in. So we ended up designing this cosy farmhouse.

'I've waited three years for this house,' she laughs. 'It will be completed the week I start Big Brother, which means I won't be able to enjoy it for three whole months!'

There's no doubt she'll be busier once Big Brother kicks off and she has to commute between the Gold Coast and Sydney, where her 2Day FM radio show is based. But when things settle down, Jackie and Lee look forward to embarking on this new phase of their lives.

'The great thing about radio is when you have a baby you can broadcast from home,' she says. 'They can set it up in your house.'

This would mean Jackie could continue to co-host her number one radio show with Kyle Sandilands while at home with her baby, even if they're away in Kangaroo Valley.

You'd think that after nine years working together Jackie and Kyle would be, well, a little sick of one another by now. But
that couldn't be further from the truth.

'We're lucky because it's hard to find someone who's not only on your wavelength creatively, but who you also get along with in real life,' Jackie says of her friendship with Kyle. 'And we genuinely do get along.'

Isn't she worried that working together in front of the cameras and behind the microphones will be just a little too much?

'I don't think so,' she says. 'When we do our LA trips [for the radio show], half the time we're living with each other in the same house. We never have any problems with that, so I think we'll be fine.'

The pair get along so well, in fact, that Jackie will be bridesmaid at Kyle's upcoming September wedding to his long-time love Tamara Jaber.

'It's something to look forward to after Big Brother finishes,' says Jackie, who's not at all concerned about what she'll have to wear on the big day. 'Tamara has lots of style, so whatever she chooses will be really pretty,' Jackie adds.

But before those baby plans and bridesmaid duties, Jackie's got to get through the next three months of Big Brother. And although she'll be dashing from state to state, no doubt weathering a storm of controversy along the way, she couldn't be happier.

'I've always been a big fan of the show,' she admits. 'I think people do sometimes take it too seriously. I find it fascinating. And hopefully we'll be able to, not only shake things up, but be light about it and have some fun.'

By Clare Rigden

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