Sarah Greene

Last Monday I had the pleasure of spending time with the lovely Sarah Greene for Project 161018.
Sarah presented Blue Peter from May 1980 until June 1983.

Sarah first appeared on Blue Peter with the cast of the BBC adaptation of Pamela Brown's The swish of the curtain. It was noted how comfortable Sarah looked in the studio. Shortly afterwards she was invited back to audition, to be the new presenter as Tina Heath was leaving to have a baby. In fact I believe it was Tina that suggested to the production team, that Sarah would be a brilliant presenter. At the time Sarah had no intention of becoming a presenter, but after she was offered the job, her friends encouraged her to take it.

Within three weeks Sarah was on her way down to Cornwall to make her first Blue Peter film. However she had not made her first live appearance at this point so everyone was sworn to secrecy.
She also had to keep hiding her Blue Peter badge. Sarah made a lovely film about the Cornish fishing Village of Mousehole. As the team were getting ready to leave, a lady behind the bar of The Ship Inn were they had been staying said to Sarah in a low voice I know who you are, and what you're going to do. But your secret's safe we me. I wish you the best of luck.

For the next three years Sarah and her co presenters, Simon Groom and Peter Duncan, who Sarah said were like brothers went on many adventures together, including Summer trips to Japan and Canada.

Other memorable moments during Sarah's time on the programme are diving on the wreck of the Mary Rose, abseiling from a helicopter, modelling vintage underwear and giving Morph a Blue Peter badge.

Sarah features in four Blue Peter Books, she just managed a feature in book 17, it was about to go to press at the time she joined the team. She is the cover star of Book 18 dressed in old time music hall costume, and with her co presenters on the covers of books 19 and 20.

Sarah left Blue Peter in June 1983 and at that time many fans including myself wrote to Sarah wishing her well, below is her reply which I still have today.

Sarah went on to work on Saturday morning TV. Firstly as the Saturday girl on Saturday Superstore and then as the main co host of Going Live with Philip Schofield. Her other work has included Dr Who, Ghost watch and Collectors Lot. She was also recently reunited with Philip Schofield when she guest presented This Morning, as Philip's normal co host Holly Willoughby was unwell. Sarah got a great reaction from the programmes viewers, and I hope we will be seeing more of Sarah on TV in the coming months.

Thank you once again Sarah for supporting project 161018, it was a pleasure to meet you.