List of Blue Peter presenters

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A young woman wearing a blue denim jacket and grey skirt.
Helen Skelton became a Blue Peter presenter in 2008 and left the role in September 2013.

Blue Peter is a British children's television programme created by John Hunter Blair. The first programme was broadcast on 16 October 1958,[1] and the series still airs as of 2015.[2] It is the longest-running children's television programme in the world,[3][4] and also one of the longest-running television programmes in the world.[5] Blue Peter currently airs weekly on Thursdays in the United Kingdom on CBBC, a digital television channel. Blue Peter is produced in a magazine format, often transmitting live, and features a combination of studio presentation, interviews and outside broadcasting items.[1] There have been thirty-seven official presenters of Blue Peter.[6]

The first presenters of Blue Peter were Christopher Trace and Leila Williams. Trace presented for nearly nine years, and Williams for just over three years (although no footage of her has been retained by the BBC).[7] In the early days, as the show ran continuously on a weekly basis, other presenters occasionally stepped in to give the regular team a break. Artist Tony Hart and actress Ann Taylor both presented the show either in place of either Trace or Williams, or sometimes in place of both, with Taylor replacing Williams for six weeks in 1959 and presenting the show at least once alone, as did Hart.[8] When Williams was fired from the show in 1962 following a series of spats with a newly appointed producer, Trace continued to present the show alone or with one-off presenters until a replacement was found. The role went to Anita West, who presented sixteen editions over a four-month period in 1962—the shortest tenure of any full-time presenter—before abruptly resigning due to her imminent divorce, a reason she hid from the producers.[8] Her tenure was so short that no footage from her time on Blue Peter exists in the BBC Archives,[9] although footage of her audition remains, along with that of Valerie Singleton and other auditionees.[8] It was not until 1998 that West was officially recognised as a former presenter.[10] John Noakes is the longest-serving presenter, having presented the show for over twelve years, and Konnie Huq is the longest-serving female presenter, with a tenure of over ten years, beating Valerie Singleton by three months. However, although Singleton left the series full-time in 1972 to present the spin-off series Blue Peter Special Assignment, she continued to be an occasional presenter until 1975.[8] Singleton's last 'official' appearance on the show came on 20th October, 1975[11] although she was also credited with appearing on the 1975 'review of the year' programme, broadcast on December 29, 1975[12] Sandra Michaels presented the show twice in April 1964 in the absence of Singleton and impressed producer Edward Barnes enough that he considered replacing Singleton, but Michaels turned him down and he opted to carry on with Singleton, something he admits in hindsight he was glad he did.[8] The youngest presenter of Blue Peter was Yvette Fielding, who was eighteen when she began presenting,[13] and the oldest was John Noakes, who was forty-four when he left.[14] Only one presenter, Peter Duncan, had two stints of presenting, his first being from 1980 to 1984, and his second being from 1985 to 1986.[15]

The only presenter to have been fired from Blue Peter mid-contract is Richard Bacon, who was dismissed from the show in 1998 after it emerged that he had taken cocaine.[16] A number of other presenters have garnered negative publicity for aspects of their private lives, which has been described in some sections of the British media as the "curse of Blue Peter".[17] Nevertheless, many of the show's former presenters have continued to work in the media. Indeed, Bacon's career survived his dismissal; he has since presented The Big Breakfast and Top of the Pops among numerous other radio and television shows, some of which were for the BBC.[16]

After its move to Salford in September 2011, Blue Peter had a format with two permanent presenters, Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood, supplemented by guest presenters for particular topics, such as Naomi Wilkinson for wildlife.

On 4 March 2013, the BBC announced they were searching for a new presenter to start in the summer of 2013. They announced that CBBC stars Dick and Dom would be hosting a new TV show to find the next presenter.[18] The show began on 24 June as Blue Peter - You Decide!. The judges were Myleene Klass, Eamonn Holmes and Ceallach Spellman.[19] The winner was chosen after five weeks of competition, via a public vote. On 25 July 2013, it was announced that 22-year-old Lindsey Russell had won the public vote to become Blue Peter's 36th presenter.[20]

On 8 August 2013, Skelton announced on air that she was leaving the show in September after five years to be replaced by Radzi Chinyanganya.[21]

The new 2013 Presenter line up have done lots of challenges including duck herding, rally car racing, getting gunged for Children in Need, having a Next Step 'dance off',Formula 1 racing and many more. Most recently Lindsey took part in a Mountain Marathon - her first big Blue Peter challenge.

The brand continues to bring in celebrities that can inspire and will appeal to kids. R5, Union J, The Vamps, Foxes, Brett Domino, Quentin Blake, Rixton, Ed Sheeran, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Kaiser Chiefs, Pixie Lott have recently appeared on air and online.

The most recent game to launch is called Dress for Success.[22] Dress for Success. In this game kids need to dress one of the presenters up ready for their next big challenge. The game, as well as the site is now available on desktop, mobile and tablet platforms.

Presenters

A colour photograph of a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a red dress shirt, writing in a book, and smiling at the viewer
Anthea Turner was the 20th Blue Peter presenter, from 1992–1994
File:Tim-vincent-1997.jpg
Tim Vincent, the 21st presenter, from 1993–1997
A woman with black hair wearing a sparkly, light-blue shirt and blue jeans standing in front of a shiny, blue-bricked wall and looking at the viewer
Konnie Huq, the 26th presenter, is the longest serving female presenter, from 1997–2008
A woman with light brown hair, she wears firefighter hat
Caron Keating, the 16th presenter, from 1987–1990

 double-dagger  : Current Blue Peter presenter

No. Presenter Tenure began Tenure ended Length[23] Ref(s)
1 Christopher Trace 16 October 1958 24 July 1967 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [24]
2 Leila Williams 16 October 1958 8 January 1962 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [7][lower-alpha 1]
* Ann Taylor 17 September 1959 11 December 1959 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [lower-alpha 2]
* Tony Hart 13 November 1959 20 November 1959 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [lower-alpha 3]
3 Anita West 7 May 1962 3 September 1962 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [9]
4 Valerie Singleton 3 September 1962 3 July 1972 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [25]
* Sandra Michaels 20 April 1964 27 April 1964 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [lower-alpha 4]
5 John Noakes 30 December 1965 26 June 1978 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [14]
6 Peter Purves 16 November 1967 23 March 1978 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [26]
7 Lesley Judd 5 May 1972 12 April 1979 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [27]
8 Simon Groom 15 May 1978 23 June 1986 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [28]
9 Christopher Wenner 14 September 1978 23 June 1980 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [29]
10 Tina Heath 5 April 1979 23 June 1980 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [30]
11 Sarah Greene 19 May 1980 27 June 1983 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [31][lower-alpha 5]
12 Peter Duncan 11 September 1980 18 June 1984 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [15]
13 Janet Ellis 28 April 1983 29 June 1987 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [32]
14 Michael Sundin 13 September 1984 24 June 1985 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [33]
* Peter Duncan 9 September 1985 27 November 1986 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [15]
15 Mark Curry 23 June 1986 26 June 1989 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [34]
16 Caron Keating 13 November 1986 22 January 1990 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [35]
17 Yvette Fielding 29 June 1987 29 June 1992 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [13][lower-alpha 6]
18 John Leslie 20 April 1989 20 January 1994 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [36]
19 Diane-Louise Jordan 25 January 1990 26 February 1996 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [37]
20 Anthea Turner 14 September 1992 27 June 1994 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [38]
21 Tim Vincent 16 December 1993 24 January 1997 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [39]
22 Stuart Miles 27 June 1994 21 June 1999 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [40]
23 Katy Hill 23 June 1995 19 June 2000 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [41]
24 Romana D'Annunzio 1 March 1996 20 February 1998 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [42]
25 Richard Bacon 21 February 1997 19 October 1998 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [43]
26 Konnie Huq 1 December 1997 23 January 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [44][45]
27 Simon Thomas 8 January 1999 25 April 2005 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [46]
28 Matt Baker 25 June 1999 26 June 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [47]
29 Liz Barker 23 June 2000 10 April 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [48][49]
30 Zöe Salmon 23 December 2004 25 June 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [50][51]
31 Gethin Jones 27 April 2005 25 June 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [52][53]
32 Andy Akinwolere 28 June 2006 28 June 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [54]
33 Helen Skelton 23 September 2008 26 September 2013 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [55]
34 Joel Defries 23 September 2008 14 December 2010 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [56]
35 Barney Harwooddouble-dagger 17 January 2011 Present Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [18]
36 Lindsey Russelldouble-dagger 5 September 2013 Present Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [18]
37 Radzi Chinyanganyadouble-dagger 17 October 2013 Present Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. [57]

Notes

  1. ↑ Williams was absent from many episodes in 1959 and more often leading up to her final appearance.[8]
  2. ↑ Taylor presented the show alongside Trace for six weeks in 1959 for an absent Williams and often replaced Williams on other occasions, even presenting the show alone at least once.[8]
  3. ↑ Hart co-presented two early editions of the show, including hosting at least one 1959 in place of both Trace and Williams.[8]
  4. ↑ Sandra Michaels presented two episodes on 20 and 27 April 1964 with Christopher Trace, as Valerie Singleton was on holiday.[8]
  5. ↑ Greene returned to cover for Janet Ellis in 1984, after Ellis injured her pelvis during a parachute landing.[8]
  6. ↑ Fielding stepped in to cover for Richard Bacon in 1998, following his dismissal.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/7439ad93015349b384bf987c5a65f8d6
  12. ↑ http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/abf1b2cd9e84485189e5a328829b15b8
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Hewitt, Rick (25 October 2002). "The curse of Blue Peter". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TBA" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TBA" defined multiple times with different content
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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