# List of Blue Peter presenters

Blue Peter is a British children's television programme created by John Hunter Blair. The first programme was broadcast on 16 October 1958. It is the longest-running children's television programme in the world, and also one of the longest-running television programmes in the world.
Blue Peter currently airs weekly on Fridays in the United Kingdom on CBBC, a digital television channel. The show is produced in a magazine format, often transmitting live, and features a combination of studio presentation, interviews and outside broadcasting items. There have been forty-three official presenters of Blue Peter.

## History

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). 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.
When Williams was dismissed 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, something she had not revealed to the producers. Her tenure was so short that no footage from her time on Blue Peter exists in the BBC Archives, although footage of her audition remains, along with that of Valerie Singleton and other auditioners. It was not until 1998 that West was officially recognised as a former presenter.
John Noakes was 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. Singleton's last 'official' appearance on the show came on 20 October 1975 although she was also credited with appearing on the 1975 'review of the year' programme, broadcast on 29 December 1975.
Singleton made the first of her many returns to the programme in January 1976 following the death of the first Blue Peter cat, Jason. She also returned to Blue Peter on 16 October 1978 to co-present the live UK TV balloon release for the 20th anniversary. Singleton presented her last Special Assignment in May 1981, and returned to co-present Blue Peter to moderate the live UK TV link-up to launch the 25th Silver Anniversary balloon hunt on 17 October 1983; these additions make her total presenting span 21 years. Sandra Michaels presented the show twice in April 1964 in the absence of Singleton, and impressed producer Edward Barnes enough that he considered her as a replacement for Singleton; however, Michaels turned this down and he opted to carry on with Singleton, something he admitted in hindsight he was glad he did. The youngest presenter of Blue Peter was Yvette Fielding, who was eighteen when she began presenting, and the oldest was John Noakes, who was forty-four when he left. 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.
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. 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". 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.
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 that it was 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. The show began on 24 June as Blue Peter - You Decide! The judges were Myleene Klass, Eamonn Holmes and Cel Spellman. 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.
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.
Harwood left the programme on 14 September 2017. Chinyanganya left after five-and-a-half years on 18 April 2019. On 26 April, Chinyanganya's replacement was announced as Richie Driss. It was announced on 13 May 2020 that Mwaksy Mudenda would join Russell and Driss, returning the show to a three-presenter format. On 1 September 2020, Adam Beales was announced as the show's 40th presenter.
On 24 June 2021, Russell announced she would be leaving the programme, with her last appearance on 15 July 2021. On 17 June 2022, Beales announced that he would be leaving, with his last appearance to be aired on 15 July 2022. Joel Mawhinney became the 41st presenter on 11 November 2022, following a recent stint of guest presenting during the summer.
On 3 February 2023, Driss announced that after 4 years he would leave the show, with his last show to be aired on 3 March. His replacement, Abby Cook, became the 42nd presenter on the following episode, aired on 10 March 2023. Mudenda departed in September 2023; she was replaced four months later by Shini Muthukrishnan.

## Presenters
### Relief

| No. | Presenter | Tenure began | Tenure ended | Length | Date of birth | Date of death | Life span | Life span after presenting | Age when started presenting | Age when finished presenting | Height |
| * | Ann Taylor | 17 September 1959 | 11 December 1959 | 85 days | 1 November 1936 | Still alive | 88 years, 128 days | 65 years, 88 days | 22 years, 351 days | 23 years, 71 days | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) |
| * | Tony Hart | 13 November 1959 | 20 November 1959 | 7 days | 15 October 1925 | 18 January 2009 | 83 years, 125 days | 49 years, 59 days | 34 years, 59 days | 34 years, 66 days | 6 feet 3 inche (1.90 meters) |
| * | Sandra Michaels | 20 April 1964 | 27 April 1964 | 7 days | 6 April 1944 | Still alive | 80 years, 337 days | 60 years, 316 days | 20 years, 14 days | 20 years, 21 days | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) |

### Official

| No. | Presenter | Tenure began | Tenure ended | Length | Date of birth | Date of death | Life span | Life span after presenting | Age when started presenting | Age when finished presenting | Height |
| 1 | Christopher Trace | 16 October 1958 | 24 July 1967 | 8 years, 281 days | 21 March 1933 | 5 September 1992 | 59 years, 168 days | 25 years, 43 days | 25 years, 209 days | 34 years, 125 days | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) |
| 2 | Leila Williams | 16 October 1958 | 8 January 1962 | 3 years, 84 days | 4 April 1937 | Still alive | 87 years, 339 days | 63 years, 60 days | 21 years, 195 days | 24 years, 279 days | 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 meters) |
| 3 | Anita West | 7 May 1962 | 3 September 1962 | 119 days | 30 November 1934 | Still alive | 90 years, 99 days | 62 years, 187 days | 27 years, 158 days | 27 years, 277 days | 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 meters) |
| 4 | Valerie Singleton | 3 September 1962 | 3 July 1972 | 9 years, 304 days | 9 April 1937 | Still alive | 87 years, 334 days | 52 years, 249 days | 25 years, 147 days | 35 years, 85 days | 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 meters) |
| 5 | John Noakes | 30 December 1965 | 26 June 1978 | 12 years, 178 days | 6 March 1934 | 28 May 2017 | 83 years, 33 days | 38 years, 306 days | 31 years, 279 days | 44 years, 92 days | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) |
| 6 | Peter Purves | 16 November 1967 | 23 March 1978 | 10 years, 127 days | 10 February 1939 | Still alive | 86 years, 27 days | 46 years, 351 days | 28 years, 279 days | 39 years, 41 days | 6 feet 0 inches (1.82 meters) |
| 7 | Lesley Judd | 5 May 1972 | 12 April 1979 | 6 years, 342 days | 20 December 1946 | Still alive | 78 years, 79 days | 45 years, 331 days | 25 years, 137 days | 32 years, 113 days | 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 meters) |
| 8 | Simon Groom | 15 May 1978 | 23 June 1986 | 8 years, 39 days | 12 August 1950 | Still alive | 74 years, 209 days | 38 years, 259 days | 27 years, 276 days | 35 years, 315 days | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) |
| 9 | Christopher Wenner | 14 September 1978 | 23 June 1980 | 1 year, 283 days | 6 December 1954 | 28 October 2021 | 66 years, 326 days | 41 years, 127 days | 23 years, 282 days | 25 years, 200 days | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) |
| 10 | Tina Heath | 5 April 1979 | 23 June 1980 | 1 year, 79 days | 1 January 1953 | Still alive | 72 years, 67 days | 44 years, 259 days | 26 years, 94 days | 27 years, 174 days | 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 meters) |
| 11 | Sarah Greene | 19 May 1980 | 27 June 1983 | 3 years, 39 days | 25 October 1957 | Still alive | 67 years, 135 days | 41 years, 255 days | 22 years, 207 days | 25 years, 245 days | 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters) |
| 12 | Peter Duncan | 11 September 1980 | 18 June 1984 | 3 years, 281 days | 3 May 1954 | Still alive | 70 years, 310 days | 40 years, 264 days | 26 years, 131 days | 30 years, 46 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 13 | Janet Ellis | 28 April 1983 | 29 June 1987 | 4 years, 62 days | 16 September 1955 | Still alive | 70 years, 174 days | 37 years, 253 days | 28 years, 224 days | 32 years, 286 days | 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters) |
| 14 | Michael Sundin | 13 September 1984 | 24 June 1985 | 284 days | 1 March 1961 | 23 July 1989 | 28 years, 144 days | 4 years, 29 days | 23 years, 196 days | 24 years, 115 days | 5 feet 6 inches (1.67 meters) |
| * | Peter Duncan | 9 September 1985 | 27 November 1986 | 1 year, 79 days | 3 May 1954 | Still alive | 70 years, 310 days | 38 years, 102 days | 31 years, 129 days | 32 years, 208 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 15 | Mark Curry | 23 June 1986 | 26 June 1989 | 3 years, 3 days | 27 August 1961 | Still alive | 63 years, 194 days | 35 years, 256 days | 24 years, 300 days | 27 years, 303 days | 6 feet 1 inches (1.85 meters) |
| 16 | Caron Keating | 13 November 1986 | 22 January 1990 | 3 years, 70 days | 5 October 1962 | 13 April 2004 | 41 years, 180 days | 14 years, 50 days | 24 years, 29 days | 27 years, 99 days | 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 meters) |
| 17 | Yvette Fielding | 29 June 1987 | 29 June 1992 | 5 years, 0 days | 23 September 1968 | Still alive | 56 years, 167 days | 32 years, 253 days | 18 years, 279 days | 23 years, 280 days | 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 meters) |
| 18 | John Leslie | 20 April 1989 | 20 January 1994 | 4 years, 275 days | 22 February 1965 | Still alive | 60 years, 15 days | 31 years, 48 days | 24 years, 57 days | 28 years, 332 days | 6 feet 4 inches (1.95 meters) |
| 19 | Diane-Louise Jordan | 25 January 1990 | 26 February 1996 | 6 years, 32 days | 28 June 1960 | Still alive | 64 years, 254 days | 29 years, 11 days | 29 years, 211 days | 35 years, 243 days | 5 feet 0 inches (1.52 meters) |
| 20 | Anthea Turner | 14 September 1992 | 27 June 1994 | 1 year, 286 days | 25 May 1960 | Still alive | 64 years, 288 days | 30 years, 255 days | 32 years, 112 days | 34 years, 33 days | 5 feet 6 inches (1.67 meters) |
| 21 | Tim Vincent | 16 December 1993 | 24 January 1997 | 3 years, 39 days | 4 November 1972 | Still alive | 52 years, 125 days | 28 years, 44 days | 21 years, 42 days | 24 years, 81 days | 5 feet 10 inches (1.77 meters) |
| 22 | Stuart Miles | 27 June 1994 | 21 June 1999 | 4 years, 359 days | 20 February 1969 | Still alive | 56 years, 17 days | 25 years, 261 days | 25 years, 127 days | 30 years, 121 days | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) |
| 23 | Katy Hill | 23 June 1995 | 19 June 2000 | 4 years, 362 days | 15 April 1971 | Still alive | 53 years, 328 days | 24 years, 263 days | 24 years, 69 days | 29 years, 65 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 24 | Romana D'Annunzio | 1 March 1996 | 20 February 1998 | 1 year, 356 days | 14 January 1972 | Still alive | 53 years, 54 days | 26 years, 17 days | 24 years, 47 days | 26 years, 37 days | 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 meters) |
| 25 | Richard Bacon | 21 February 1997 | 16 October 1998 | 1 year, 237 days | 30 November 1975 | Still alive | 49 years, 99 days | 26 years, 144 days | 21 years, 83 days | 22 years, 320 days | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) |
| 26 | Konnie Huq | 1 December 1997 | 23 January 2008 | 10 years, 53 days | 17 July 1975 | Still alive | 49 years, 235 days | 17 years, 45 days | 22 years, 137 days | 32 years, 190 days | 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters) |
| 27 | Simon Thomas | 8 January 1999 | 25 April 2005 | 6 years, 107 days | 26 January 1973 | Still alive | 52 years, 42 days | 19 years, 318 days | 25 years, 347 days | 32 years, 89 days | 6 feet 0 inches (1.82 meters) |
| 28 | Matt Baker | 25 June 1999 | 26 June 2006 | 7 years, 1 day | 23 December 1977 | Still alive | 47 years, 76 days | 18 years, 256 days | 21 years, 184 days | 28 years, 185 days | 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) |
| 29 | Liz Barker | 23 June 2000 | 10 April 2006 | 5 years, 291 days | 16 May 1975 | Still alive | 49 years, 297 days | 18 years, 333 days | 25 years, 38 days | 30 years, 329 days | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) |
| 30 | Zoe Salmon | 23 December 2004 | 25 June 2008 | 3 years, 185 days | 7 January 1980 | Still alive | 45 years, 61 days | 16 years, 257 days | 24 years, 351 days | 28 years, 170 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 31 | Gethin Jones | 26 April 2005 | 25 June 2008 | 3 years, 60 days | 12 February 1978 | Still alive | 47 years, 25 days | 16 years, 257 days | 27 years, 73 days | 30 years, 134 days | 6 feet 1 inches (1.85 meters) |
| 32 | Ayo Akinwolere | 18 September 2006 | 28 June 2011 | 4 years, 283 days | 30 November 1982 | Still alive | 42 years, 99 days | 13 years, 254 days | 23 years, 292 days | 28 years, 210 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 33 | Helen Skelton | 23 September 2008 | 26 September 2013 | 5 years, 3 days | 19 July 1983 | Still alive | 41 years, 233 days | 11 years, 164 days | 25 years, 66 days | 30 years, 69 days | 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters) |
| 34 | Joel Defries | 23 September 2008 | 14 December 2010 | 2 years, 82 days | 14 March 1985 | Still alive | 39 years, 360 days | 14 years, 85 days | 23 years, 193 days | 25 years, 275 days | 6 feet 0 inches (1.82 meters) |
| 35 | Barney Harwood | 17 January 2011 | 14 September 2017 | 6 years, 240 days | 7 November 1979 | Still alive | 45 years, 122 days | 7 years, 176 days | 31 years, 71 days | 37 years, 311 days | 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) |
| 36 | Lindsey Russell | 5 September 2013 | 15 July 2021 | 7 years, 313 days | 25 September 1990 | Still alive | 34 years, 165 days | 3 years, 237 days | 22 years, 345 days | 30 years, 293 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 37 | Radzi Chinyanganya | 17 October 2013 | 18 April 2019 | 5 years, 183 days | 12 September 1986 | Still alive | 38 years, 178 days | 5 years, 325 days | 27 years, 35 days | 32 years, 218 days | 5 feet 6 inches (1.67 meters) |
| 38 | Richie Driss | 16 May 2019 | 3 March 2023 | 3 years, 291 days | 28 November 1998 | Still alive | 26 years, 101 days | 2 years, 6 days | 20 years, 169 days | 24 years, 95 days | 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) |
| 39 | Mwaksy Mudenda | 14 May 2020 | 29 September 2023 | 3 years, 138 days | 19 December 1994 | Still alive | 30 years, 80 days | 1 year, 161 days | 25 years, 147 days | 28 years, 284 days | 5 feet 6 inches (1.67 meters) |
| 40 | Adam Beales | 3 September 2020 | 15 July 2022 | 1 year, 315 days | 11 October 1999 | Still alive | 25 years, 149 days | 2 years, 237 days | 20 years, 328 days | 22 years, 277 days | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 41 | Joel Mawhinney‡ | 11 November 2022 | present | 2 years, 118 days | 1997 | Still alive | 28 | Still Presenting The Show | 25 | Still Presenting The Show | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) |
| 42 | Abby Cook‡ | 10 March 2023 | present | 1 year, 364 days | 2002 | Still alive | 23 | Still Presenting The Show | 20 | Still Presenting The Show | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) |
| 43 | Shini Muthukrishnan‡ | 19 January 2024 | present | 1 year, 49 days | 2002 | Still alive | 23 | Still Presenting The Show | 22 | Still Presenting The Show | 5 feet 4 inches (1.62 meters) |

#### Key

    ‡ : Current Blue Peter presenters