Radio Gaga: How Jeremy Vine’s listeners went crazy for Rotherham OAP Jean Neale

Jean (88) has been a regular caller to the show for 16 years — but her latest offering saw her whisked down to the London studio for a segment in which she proved more popular than Sir David Attenborough.

The Clifton pensioner was asked by Jeremy’s team to take part in the What Makes Us Human feature, which has featured more than 100 notable guests talking about what makes us as a species stand out from the rest.

Previous contributors include the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Sir David.

Initially Jean was reluctant — telling Jeremy’s team: “I’m nobody, you only have noted people on, people everyone know. I’m only a pensioner with white hair.”

But after talking it over with family she travelled to London with nephew Chris Widdop.

When she arrived at the studio she was greeted by Jeremy’s production team and met fellow Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce.

Opinionated Jean, who has discussed a range of topics with Jeremy over the years — from smart heating to personal finance — spoke about kindness.

She said she chose the topic because she was “mystified” by recent spate of stabbings in major cities.

Speaking on the show Jean said: “When I think back on my 88 years and ponder what makes us human, the answer I come to is kindness.

“To my mind, these days, values have changed. Caring all too often seems to have gone by the wayside.

“I like to think that if you are kind and considerate to people, it is very often returned.

“Doing something nice is often much easier than being nasty.

“Helpfulness is good. Giving someone a helping hand will always be appreciated by the helper and the helped.”

Friends and family listening live were full of praise for Jean — and listeners were impressed too.

Dozens of people contacted the show during her broadcast — one even calling for her to be prime minister.

“I was told David Attenborough didn’t get many comments,” said Jean.

“I got a lot more than him.”

After her live slot, she had lunch with Jeremy’s team and was taken around in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes.

Jeremy sent Jean a signed copy of his book and a hand-written card in which he said she had been one of the best of more than 100 guests on What Makes Us Human.

Jean said: “Jeremy is a lovely man. He’s very kind and considerate.

“He did everything to make me feel comfortable.

“All his team are kind. They were so lovely and they were so welcoming and pleased to see me.

“I’m past the stage of starstruck, little girls get starstruck. He’s just a lovely man.”