Ayo Akinwolere

The beginning of July saw a trip down to Leicester to catch up with Ayo Akinwolere on The Time Capsule Tour.

Ayo at the time known as Andy presented Blue Peter from June 2006 until June 2011. Before joining the show he was working as a runner for CBBC. One evening whilst having drinks with friends in the BBC club, one of the Blue Peter production team heard him talking. She liked what she was hearing and suggested to Richard Marson the Blue Peter Editor at the time that Andy should audition. On 26th June 2006 Andy became Blue Peter presenter 32. His first challenges were abseiling and a bungee jump from a helicopter and this was the start of 5 years of fun and adventures.

During his final challenge before leaving Blue Peter Ayo set a new world record for the deepest location for an open water swim. He swam for more than five miles across the Palau Trench in the Pacific Ocean, the first person to ever do so.

Since leaving Blue Peter he has presenter Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge and taken part in Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Master Chef and The Great British Bake off. In 2012 he went to Jamacia to make a documentary for the BBC about Husain Bolt. Since 2014 he has presented Inside Out for the BBC in The Midlands Area.

In 2015 he created the swim challenge. a project to encourage people of colour to lean to swim.

In 2016 he changed his name back to Ayo, his birth name saying he wished to normalise his name and represent his community.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-37289733/ex-blue-peter-presenter-why-i-changed-my-name

Ayo features in Blue Peter books, 37,38,39 and 40.

Gethin Jones

During June I caught up with Gethin Jones on two occasions for Project 161018. The first was quite by chance in a coffee shop. The second was more planned at the studios of Gethin's new breakfast show on Hits Radio. Here Gethin signed some of my Blue Peter books and introduced me to his radio show colleagues.

Gethin presented Blue Peter from April 2005 until June 2006, however he made his first appearance on the show at Christmas 2004 as he walked through the appeal totaliser doors dressed as Father Christmas.

During his time on the programme Gethin completed The Royal Marines Commando Yomp, trained to be a butler, played the part of both a Cyberman and a Dalek in Dr Who and completed submarine escape training with The Royal Navy.

During The Royal Marines Commando Yomp

Gethin is both a keen sportsman and talented musician. He loves rugby and played for his school and University teams. He sported a rugby kit on many Blue Peter films about the sport. Gethin also plays the violin and played at The Proms with The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. He also once played the Blue Peter closing theme on the electric violin, along with string quartet String Fever.

During a filming trip to Edinburgh as well as learning to play the bagpipes, reporting from Edinburgh Zoo and Murryfield the home of The Edinburgh Gunners Rugby team he also famously modelled a variety of kilts around the city's streets.

In 2007 Gethin took part in the fifth series of  the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, he was partnered with professional Dancer Camilla Dallerup and the couple came 3rd.

Gethin features in Blue Peter books 35 -38.

Since leaving Blue Peter Gethin has kept busy working on various television and radio shows including Daybreak and 71 degrees North both for ITV. He has also worked on This Morning and The One Show. During the 2016 and 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing Gethin became a reporter for the spin off show It takes two. He stood in for regular host Zoe Ball for two shows during the 2017 series. Gethin took part in Soccer Aid both in 2008 and 2010 playing for The Rest of the World. Radio work includes The Sunday Morning Breakfast show on the Heart Network and in June 2018 Gethin began presenting the weekday breakfast show on the new Hits Radio along with Gemma Atkinson and Dave Vitty.

With Gethin and The Hits Radio Breakfast Team.

Tim Vincent

Also at the Pilot Light TV Festival it was a pleasure to meet Tim Vincent.

Tim presented Blue Peter from December 1993 until January 1997. During his time on the show he tried his hand at Motor racing, water skiing, training with the England rugby team, he also ran the New York Marathon and took part in The Paras log race.

Summer trips include New England USA, South Africa, Hong Kong and China.

Prior to joining Blue Peter Tim played the part of Billy Ryan in the CITV drama Children's Ward. Whilst he was still presenting Blue Peter Tim also starred in the BBC1 drama Dangerfield and took a presenting job on the BBC's The Clothes Show.

with co - presenters Diane - Louise Jordan & Anthea Turner
and Pets Bonnie, Kari & Oke

with co - presenters Stuart Miles, Diane -Louise Jordan and Katy Hill

After leaving Blue Peter he presented two further CBBC shows Short Change and Fully Booked. During 2000 and 2001 Tim played the part of Vet Adam Forester in the long running ITV soap Emmerdale. Tim later became a reporter for Access Hollywood.

In 2008 Tim took part in the third series of ITV's Dancing on Ice.

More recently Tim has returned to the UK having been mainly based in The USA for several years and has been working on The Wright Stuff and presentation on The Wedding of HRH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle again for American TV.

In August Tim will be heading up to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival with other former Blue Peter presenters Peter Duncan, Mark Curry, Janet Ellis and Peter Purves to present - Once seen on Blue Peter makes, bakes and outtakes. As show which Tim himself has devised.

For tickets book here

Stuart Miles

I ended February and began March with a snowy trip down to London. I had arranged to meet with two former presenters and first up was Stuart Miles.

Stuart presented Blue Peter for five years from June 1995 until June 1999. Prior to boarding the good ship Stuart took a keen interest in hospital radio and after he left university took a job as a journalist for a cable tv company in South London. In 1993 he became a presenter on Saturday Disney for GMTV.

During his time on Blue Peter he became the latest presenter to take up the challenge of training with The RAF Falcons. Stuart says that his proudest moment on  Blue Peter was being the first civilian to take part in a full public display with The Falcons at the Biggin Hill Airshow.

Other memorable moments include being the top man on the human pyramid with the Flying Gunners, speed hand gliding, and hurtling down the Cresta Run. Stuart also made some wonderful wildlife films. He helped to relocate an Elephant in Kenya with the Born Free Foundation, and came face to face with one of the world's most threatened creatures. The Mountain Gorillas of Uganda.

One of Stuart's more unusual challenges on Blue Peter was to be turned into a living statue for a day.

Summer trips included New England, South Africa, Hong Kong, Canada and Mexico. On the trip to Canada Stuart once again got up close to some wildlife. He took part in a scientific survey to track animals form a helicopter and got to see a grizzly bear with her cubs. In Mexico he stood on and made wobble The balancing rock above Copper Canyon.

Stuart features in Blue Peter Books 28 and 29.

Since leaving Blue Peter Stuart has worked on ITV's This Morning and various travel shows.
For a time he did stand up comedy dressed as a woman ! and appeared at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For the most time Stuart has been a radio presenter and ended two year stint presenting
the breakfast show on Heart Home Counties with his former Blue Peter Colleague Katy Hill in July 2017.

Most recently Stuart has become known as one of the UK's leading anti ageing experts, launching his own website - Miles Younger.

Remembering Caron

Today would have been the 55th birthday of the beautiful Caron Keating.

Caron presented Blue Peter from November 1986 until January 1990.

She soon became Blue Peter's action girl, performing with The Moscow State Circus, swimming with sharks and abseiling down buildings.

Caron's distinctive 80's style of dress was often cause for comment and this led to a competition for viewers to design an outfit for her. Over 69,000 young viewers sent in designs and Caron chose the most beautiful and inventive one.

After Caron left Blue Peter she was always in demand appearing on both radio and TV, becoming a regular presenter on ITV's This Morning.

In 1997 Caron was diagnosed with breast cancer and she bravely battled the disease until she sadly died on 13th April 2004.

Caron was a hugely popular presenter on Blue Peter and was part of a great team during the late 1980's alongside Mark Curry and Yvette Fielding. My personal highlights of that time are the wonderful Christmas spectaculars the three of them performed.

Caron features in Blue Peter Books  23, 24 and 25.

The Caron Keating foundation was set up in Caron's memory by her mother Gloria Hunniford and her brothers Michael and Paul. The foundation raises money to help support carers, support groups,

complementary healing practitioners and well as families affected by cancer.

Barney leaves Blue Peter with an inspirational message for its young viewers.

After almost 7 fun packed years Barney Harwood presented his 368th and final Blue Peter on Thursday 14th September 2017. The programme was full of Barney highlights, a thrilling final challenge, a fabulous cake and a colourful experiment.

I have met Barney a few times over the past 12 months. Firstly in Stanley Park Blackpool last Summer at the launch day of The Grand Theatre Blackpool's 2016 Christmas Pantomime in which Barney would be starring as Aladdin. On this occasion Barney recognised me from an Instagram post about my Blue Peter books. He signed my copy of Alex Leger's book Behind the badge, and he fell in love with my Border Terrier Loch.

The next time we met was in April at Media City UK, on this occasion Barney was with one of his

co presenters Lindsey Russell and I told them all about Project 161018.

I headed over to Media City again last Thursday with the hope of giving my good wishes to Barney

for his last Blue Peter. I managed to see him both before and after the programme.

After being presented with a Gold Blue Peter badge from co presenter Radzi Chinyanganya, Barney ended the programme with an inspirational speech to his young fans.

Here's wishing Barney every success in whatever you choose to do next and hope to see you very soon.

Peter Purves

I wasn't due to catch my train back home from Edinburgh until 6.50 pm, so I had all afternoon to explore and watch some of the many street performers of the Edinburgh Fringe.  I had also heard that Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton were due in the City that day as well as current presenter Lindsey Russell. I realised that The Edinburgh International Television Festival was due to start the following day. I put two and two together and presumed this must be the reason they were due in Edinburgh. So I headed over to the conference centre with the hope of maybe seeing them.
I timed it perfectly, I had been sat outside no longer than 10 minutes when legendary presenter Peter Purves appeared on his way back to his hotel. I introduced myself and Peter remembered me writing to him earlier in the year about Project 161018. We spoke for a few minutes and he signed my 50th Anniversary Book. I asked about Val, but unfortunately her train was not due into the city until 8.30pm. I would be well on my way home by them. It would have been wonderful to see both Peter and Val. I hope to catch up with her later in the project. I did however see Lindsey and she was pleased I had seen Peter.

Peter Purves joined the Blue Peter team in 1967 and prior to joining John and Val, he had played the part of Steven one of the companions to William Hartnel's Dr Who. Peter's first film for Blue Peter was all about teaching John and Val life saving skills. During Peter's time on the programmes, it was often asked why John Noakes did all the daring films and Peter never did anything brave. However this could not have been further from the truth. Peter filmed many exciting adventures including joining The White Helmets Motorcycle display team, Mountain climbing with Chris Bonnington, driving a car through the side of a furniture van with a stunt team and climbing The Forth Road Bridge.

Peter also looked after Petra the programmes first dog, until she died in 1977. He later said that announcing her death on the programme was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do.

After 10 years Peter thought it was time for a change and his final live Blue Peter was in March 1978. He loved his time on the programme but says he really stayed too long, but it was such a good job. Peter is extremely proud of his time on Blue Peter " One of televisions great programmes "

After leaving Blue Peter, he remained associated with Children's TV, presenting the sports programme Stopwatch and two series of Blue Peter Special Assignments. He also went on to present the long running motorcycle trials programme Kick Start and has been associated with the television presentation of the Dog Show Crufts for over 30 years. Peter can also be found regularly at science fiction and Dr Who conventions. In 2009 he released his autobiography - Here's one I wrote earlier.
Peter features in Blue Peter Books 5 - 15.

Radzi Chinyanganya

I caught up with the third member of the current Blue Peter team, after a live episode of the show
went out from The Piazza at Media City UK.

Radzi Chinyanganya joined the team in October 2013 and he is the 37th presenter of the programme.

Prior to joining the team Radzi was a contestant on Sky One's revamped Gladiators and he reached the semi final stage. He was the official presenter of the weightlifting at the London 2012 Olympic games. In 2013 he co presented another CBBC show, Wild, and has also been a presenter on Match of the day kickabout.

Some of Radzi's many Blue Peter Highlights include performing at the 2015 FIG World Gymnastics Championships, performing with Disney on ice, track cycling, wing walking, synchronised swimming and climbing the worlds largest man made climbing wall.

In a special edition of the programme in 2016, Radzi retraced the steps of the 50 mile walk, and met survivors of the 1965 march between Selma and Montgomery in Alabama that was led by Rev Martin Luther King Jnr.

Radzi also loves wresting and recently reported from this years Wrestle Mania in Orlando Florida.

Mark Curry

Mark Curry was the 3rd former Blue Peter presenter I met on a recent trip to London.
Mark presented the programme from September 1986 until June 1989. He was no stranger to Children's television when he joined the Blue Peter team, having presented Saturday morning tv during the Summer months for several years (Get Set for Summer, Get Set, The Get Set Picture Show) The format eventually became The Saturday Picture show, which Mark firstly presented with Maggie Philbin from Swap Shop and then with Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz.

Prior to Saturday morning TV Mark was a regular performer, on Yorkshire TV's Junior Showtime
during the early 1970's. He also played the lead role in ATV's comedy drama Sounding Brass and the part of Oscar the producer in the film version of Bugsy Malone.

Mark was also the presenter of the successful Children's history programme Treasure Houses.

When the time came to find a replacement for Simon Groom, who was leaving Blue Peter after eight years. Biddy Baxter the editor of Blue Peter wanted someone who was already well known to the programmes viewers and Mark was the perfect choice. At first he turned the job down, thinking that Blue Peter was not really him. After several discussions with Biddy and a chance meeting with former presenter Sarah Greene he did eventually accept.

Mark was not known for action films on Blue Peter, co presenter Caron Keating took on most of those challenges. Mark did however agree to be tied to the sails of a revolving windmill. He also swam the icy waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park and faced his fear of heights in film about climbing telegraph poles. Mark was in his element with anything that involved historical stories or song and dance routines. A particular highlight was the Christmas entertainment on the show before Christmas each year. Even after Mark had left Blue Peter, he often appeared on the Christmas programme.

Mark's co presenters included Janet Ellis and Peter Duncan, however the team of Mark along with Caron Keating and Yvette Fielding was a hugely popular one.

Mark features in Blue Peter Books 23, 24 and 25.

Since leaving the programme Mark's television work has include the quiz show Catchphrase, and a daily DIY show Change That. Mark also returned to acting with  a role in Last of the Summer wine on TV, theatre roles have included parts in The woman in black, Victor/ Victoria and a stage adaptation of All creatures great and small.

Mark is currently starring in the role of The Wizard in the West End production of Wicked.

Matt Baker

Matt Baker is the next former Blue Peter presenter I have met. I caught up with Matt during a break in rehearsals for The One Show. Matt presented Blue Peter from 1999 until 2006.

Matt had loved Blue Peter as a child and his hero was Peter Duncan, who presented the programme in the 1980's. Matt was at drama school when he sent in a showreel to the editor of Blue Peter, after trying unsuccessfully to speak to him on the phone. He was eventually given an audition and became Blue Peter's 28th presenter in June 1999.

Matt had an amazing 7 years on Blue Peter and his highlights include passing the Royal Marines potential recruits course, achiving a world record in tandem hand gliding, trips including Cambodia, Russia, Australia, Brazil and Iceland, and of course looking after his Border Collie Meg.

At School Matt had been a keen gymnast and was part of The British Junior Gymnastics team, he also enjoyed dancing, so was always part of any item that included this on the show.

Four years after Matt left Blue Peter, he took part in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was partnered with Aliona Vilani and the couple came second.

Matt features in Blue Peter books 29 -35.

During Matt's time on the progarmme he won the BAFTA for best children's presenter 2 years in a row.

Since leaving Blue Peter Matt has had a very successful TV career, working on Crufts, City Hospital, Animal Rescue Live, as well as commentating on the BBC's Olympic coverage. In 2009 Matt became one of the main presenters on the new look Countryfile on Sunday nights on BBC1. In 2010 he became the new co host of The One Show, the BBC'S nightly magazine show, with Alex Jones.