Cue the scurrying of many a wannabe TV presenter to the jobs pages of a certain entertainment newspaper — Blue Peter is going to be casting for a new presenter. The BBC has just announced that current presenter (and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant) Gethin Jones is to leave the show.
Jones joined Blue Peter in April 2005 as the programme’s 31st regular presenter.
Tim Levell, Editor, Blue Peter, said:
Gethin has been a brilliant Blue Peter presenter, who has taken on everything we’ve thrown at him with complete dedication - he really is the total action man. He also cemented his young fanbase and helped raise Blue Peter’s profile last year with his starring run on Strictly Come Dancing, in which he reached the semi-finals. We wish Gethin all the best for his future career on TV.
Gethin said:
I’ve had a career on Blue Peter that you wouldn’t even dream about and for that I feel privileged and fortunate. I’ve appreciated every day of the past 3 and a bit years and am grateful to all the viewers for tuning in. It’s astonishing how much the little blue badge can help others, and long may that continue… It’s very sad to be “jumping ship”, but I will still be on-screen until the end of the series whilst working on other projects. I’ve loved it, lived it…and now I feel the time is right to leave it.”
Presumably when he says “the past 3 and a bit years”, he means the period between starting on the show and when he will finally leave it, considering as his three-year anniversary is a couple of weeks away yet… But then, I may be able to use a calendar, but Gethin can dance, yomp with commandos, fight as a Samurai, play the violin, look after giant pandas… I think he pretty much has me beat.
Gethin’s replacement will be cast by the BBC shortly (polish up those showreels, people!) and will join the show in the Autumn.
Photo: BBC/Chris Capstick
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