Tuesday 10 March 1998
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

by Halliwell Hannah

Jo Beth Taylor, former host of Australia's Funniest Home Videos, resurfaced recently on A Current Affair with Ray Martin (9/3/98). In the exclusive interview from Perth, she dispelled the rumours surrounding her disappearance and tried to set the record straight.

The pressures of television commitments and a nagging virus eventually lead to a nervous breakdown after a singing performance on In Melbourne Tonight last year. No help were the silly rumours that followed her around about her being a drug dealer or appearing in an X-rated video. She also laughed off suggestions that she had a drinking problem or was having an affair with Daryl Somers.

Jo Beth, who has been on anti-depressants for four months, looked relaxed and fresh as she spoke from a sunny beach in Perth. She spoke about her suicidal thoughts and of becoming agoraphobic. "I just didn't want to move" she said "Just didn't want to go out of the house. I didn't go out of the house for about two weeks".

She also suggested that for the first time in her life she could leave the glitz and glamour of TV behind her. "I don't want to know about it to be honest" she said. At least she seems to be getting her life together. "At the moment I'm just enjoying myself, surfing, walking my dog and doing all that sort of stuff"

A few weeks ago, in '98 Aussie TV Speculations (see the archive) I speculated on Jo Beth's return. I didn't expect her to resurface this soon, but the ACA report was probably necessary to douse those nasty rumours and reassure fans that she was okay. The ACA report left us with the impression that she was on the road to recovery. Let's hope so, and let's hope she doesn't completely disappear from our screens.