Name: Jo Dhokia (Jo_uk)
Birthday: 1 January 1981
Born in: Kent, United Kingdom
Reside in: Essex/ London, United Kingdom

I have been an Este-FAN since 1993 (though I didn’t really know it) when I bought my first Gloria album on cassette – Greatest Hits on the day before my 12th birthday. While everyone else was swooning over Take That or whatever boy band was all the rage at the time I was content listening to one of the greatest female singer/ song-writers of all time. Yes I was made fun of at school but my love for Gloria surpassed this!!

My fandom really kicked in when I saw her for the first time on UK TV singing Mi Tierra and Con los años que me quedan on the Michael Ball Show. I instantly fell in love with her voice, the songs and her personality. I was soon on a mission to find out everything about her (pretty difficult with no internet) and spend my pocket money on whatever I could find.

It was another 3 years before I got to see her concert at Wembley Arena on the Evolution Tour 96. It was the best time I’d ever had up until that point – I swear she waved at my sign twice lol. And I never looked back, I have been fortunate enough to have seen Gloria a number of times in concert, travelling to the US and now Europe to see her (she’s going to bankrupt me one day!) and I have been even more fortunate to have met her on a number of occasions – each time has been so unbelievable that I have to remind myself I didn’t dream it.

She has become so much more than just a singer to me; she has become such a huge part of my life and been there for me like no other person has. I will forever be indebted to her for all the love she has shown and for taking time out for her fans – my love for her is far bigger than I could ever express in words – she saved my life.

So now a bit about me – I’m now 26, working in London as a Probation Officer after studying for a degree in Psychology and a degree in Criminal Justice. Thus far there is no significant other but you never know what might happen in the future. I’m enjoying my life doing what I like to do.

It’s been an incredible journey with Gloria and with my Conga family over the last 14 years. I hope to see all of my friends again soon!!

Besos

Click here to read Jo's Adventures in Madrid (2007)!
Click here to read Jo's Adventures in Rotterdam (2007)!