Inside Channel 4 A Place in the Sun's Jean Johansson's life off-screen

TV host Jean Johansson has revealed her special affection for Finland, a place she can retreat to from her globe-trotting assignments on Channel 4's A Place in the Sun. In a revealing conversation, Jean shared cherished details about her holiday home in the Scandinavian destination, calling it her "sanctuary and hideaway". Speaking to the Mirror, Jean revealed that her spouse's Finnish heritage gives them deep ties to Scandinavia - and there is an even deeper connection to her home from home in southwest Finland, reports the Express .

She said: "Because I've got that place I can go and escape to from my very busy life, I completely understand what the house hunters are after. We have got a house in south west Finland and I'd say that's probably one of my favourite places in the world." The presenter also relished the contrast of enduring summers with persistent daylight and winters with early dusk at 2 pm.



She said: "I really do switch off and turn my phone off. In the summers we enjoy really late nights when it's still light and in the winters it'll be dark at two in the afternoon. There's cosy winters with lots of snow.

" READ MORE: Monty Don overcomes health battle that affects millions with simple exercise Living near water is a recurring theme for Jean, who also enjoys waterside living in Scotland, explaining that it was a significant factor drawing her to Scandinavia. She said: "Anywhere I've lived it's been in proximity to the water, that was a big draw for me." With the festive season approaching, Jean looks forward to spending Christmas in Finland, continuing the tradition of alternating holiday visits with their parents.

Embracing the Finnish winter, Jean delights in the short days full of cosiness, saying: "The days are so short, it starts getting dark around 2pm and you have got that 'let's get cosy, dim the lights, eat hot food'." The TV presenter is clearly thrilled about the upcoming festive period, expressing enthusiasm for the downtime, revealing: "I'm looking forward to that from the busy year I've had. Christmas for me is no phones, family time and quiet.

" Despite a packed agenda, the star has completed filming for a Christmas series due to hit BBC iPlayer later in the year. Embodying excitement for her Christmas plans, she's set to appear before the cameras again, this time for an STV New Year's Eve special. She said: "It's the weirdness of my life but I absolutely love it and it's just a joy to get into the Christmas spirit.

It has always been a dream of mine." Jean also revealed a possible career change is in the offing too. She said: "Lorraine is a broadcast hero of mine, maybe that's something I'll be pursuing next year, there have been meetings with ITV.

As a presenter, you have always got to keep thinking about the next year, things you can add in and putting yourself out there." "Maybe Lorraine will read this and call me up. I'll definitely be making moves to make myself known to them.

I've met her and she is lovely and exactly as she is on the telly, and that's the gift when you can be so open and warm-hearted. "She has been a big influence of mine, she comes from a working-class background and she's a Scottish broadcaster who became a household name and I guess that would be my dream for the future as well." We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first.