Grace was born in
Nottingham. Her father was a
chef. She began her career singing backing vocals for
George Michael,
Kim Wilde,
Mari Wilson and
Boy George, toured the world with
Wham! for three years, and released a solo single "Heartbeat Radio" in 1988. She also sang vocals on a cover of the
Donna Summer song, "
Love To Love You Baby" by Euro House dance act Bali in February 1989. Her own
chart success came in the summer of 1991 when she teamed up with
Saint Etienne and local
keyboardist Andrew Midgley to form the
dance act Cola Boy, reaching No. 8 in the
UK Singles Chart with "
7 Ways to Love". – later
Tim Smith and (until her death in 2016) the 'Old Woman' Joyce Frost. Janey had her own show from 4 am – 6 am (later 3 am – 6 am) on Saturday mornings, beginning on 11 February 2000 which lasted until late 2006, when she was replaced by her
Steve Wright in the Afternoon co-host,
Tim Smith. Grace covered Wright's
Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 in December 2007 and January 2008. She also filled in during April 2010, when Wright was on holiday in the United States and was then forced to remain there, due to the
volcanic eruptions in Iceland. In July–August 2010 and January 2011, she also sat in for Wright on his Sunday show while he was on holiday. On 1 July 2022 Wright announced
Steve Wright in the Afternoon was to end in autumn 2022. It was also announced that Grace and
Tim Smith were also to leave
BBC Radio 2. Grace ended her final programme on
Steve Wright in the Afternoon on 30 September 2022, thus also leaving
BBC Radio 2 after 23 years at the station. ==Bibliography==