Studio71 Creator Adam Beales from Derry-Londonderry is the latest presenter to join the Blue Peter team

The world’s longest-running children’s TV show has today unveiled Derry-born Adam Beales as its newest Blue Peter presenter. Adam is the 40th Blue Peter presenter and will co-host alongside Lindsey Russell, Richie Driss, Mwaka Mudenda and Henry the dog, in his first show this Thursday (September 3rd) on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5.30 pm.

YouTuber Adam, 20, is already familiar with the CBBC audience as he is a regular face on The Dog Ate My Homework. He left school as Head Boy with 11 GSCE’s at A* and was considering Oxford or Cambridge before his YouTube channel took off, which now has nearly 3 million subscribers and often features his mum and dad and younger brother, 11-year-old Callum. He’s best known or posting pranks, challenges, DIY crafts and life hacks so should slot right in with the ‘here’s one I made earlier’ creations on the show as well as the formidable challenges the presenters have to undertake. 

In his spare time, he loves to spend time with his family while eating pizza and watching TV, as well as driving his beloved car. Despite his claim of leading a ‘boring life’ Adam loves pranking people (especially his younger brother), travelling, meeting new people around the world and living and experiencing their culture. He’s travelled from as far as the USA to Thailand. 

Adam follows in the footsteps of fellow Northern Ireland presenters, the late Caron Keating and, more recently, presenter number 30, Zoe Salmon.

Adam says: “I’m super excited to become Blue Peter Presenter number 40. I am humbled and ecstatic to be part of such a legendary production. It’s kind of weird – in a super exciting way – that the show I once watched when I was younger, is now the show I will be presenting along with the talented Lindsey, Richie, Mwaksy and of course, Henry. I can’t wait to get stuck in, even with the challenges they throw at me, though I am hoping none of them involve cheese – I hate cheese!”

It might not involve cheese, but Adam’s first challenge is a biggie. He has been thrown straight in with a mountain rescue challenge. He will be winched down a cliff face to complete a training exercise with the Buxton Mountain Rescue team and will share the results of his challenge live in the studio in the coming weeks.

Blue Peter Editor, Ellen Evans, said: “Adam really impressed us during his auditions, he’s a natural in front of the camera, but he’s also very funny, incredibly warm, brilliant with kids and also perhaps a little bit mischievous which the Blue Peter audience will absolutely love.”  

Head of BBC Children’s In House Productions, Helen Bullough, adds: “Throughout lockdown, Blue Peter fans have been telling us how much they’ve enjoyed and appreciated the show’s unstinting commitment to engaging, inspiring and entertaining them and we can’t wait for Presenter Number 40 to join us and get stuck in! Adam is playful, thoughtful and already popular with our audience, who I’m sure will give him the biggest ever Blue Peter welcome.”

Blue Peter is live on CBBC every Thursday at 5.30pm and is available on BBC iPlayer.

For more information on Adam Beales, contact phie.mckenzie@studio71uk.com

Comedian Rosie Jones fronts the 4-part travelogue series exploring the nation’s best holiday hotspots & Britain’s quirky culture

Comedian Rosie Jones isn’t going to let a global pandemic stand in the way of her travel plans, this year she’s off on an adventure that ticks all the boxes… A Great British, Female Gay, Disabled, Covid Compliant Adventure (w/t). In this new four-part subversive travelogue from Studio71 UK, a Red Arrow Studios company, Rosie will endeavour to prove that you don’t need a big budget to have the time of your life – you just need to have the power of minority and an infectious sense of humour.

In the heightened reality of this series, Covid-19 and subsequent financial constraints put an end to Rosie’s planned global, luxury travelogue. But this doesn’t damper Rosie’s enthusiasm to get the show made, as she convinces Channel 4 telly bosses to instead let her explore the UK and all it’s amazing eccentricities, oddities and beauty spots – all on a shoestring.

With a different location to explore each episode, Rosie finds adventures in the unlikeliest of places, each week joined by a celebrity guest, ready to get stuck into the nature, nightlife, and quirky culture of Great Britain.

Who needs Venice when Norwich has its share of canals, local wine, and… wrestling? Will anyone turn their nose up at salt tasting and the adrenalin rush of cliff camping in Holyhead? How could anyone resist foraging on the coast with goths in Whitby? Rosie will stop at nothing to treat her guest to the very best that Britain has to offer.

From glorious vistas of the great outdoors to buddy road trips, this unique series will seek to parody all the tropes of a traditional travelogue. But with the additional scripted layer of a Commissioning Editor character whose endless demands drive the actuality of the travel programme, this series aims to celebrate diversity whilst lampooning the TV industry.

Rosie Jones said, “I spent lockdown back in Yorkshire with my parents, which was…tricky! But it did remind me how beautiful my hometown of Bridlington is, with its beautiful beaches, wildlife, and lovely locals. I want to explore more brilliant places like this. To be honest, I’m just over the moon to be leaving the house again!”

Jody Smith, Executive Producer and Studio71 UK VP Creative Director, said “Rosie’s so boundlessly enthusiastic about everything, that after months of being stuck indoors and her usual crammed stand-up schedule on pause, we’re excited and fearful of what will happen when we unleash her on Britain. We’re so pleased to make this show for Channel 4, who have been enthusiastic in us roasting them.”

Sarah Lazenby, Head of Features & Formats for Channel 4, said, “Rosie Jones’ dark and mischievous humour knows no bounds. So what could possibly go wrong giving her her own show to rampage across the U.K. and send up TV bosses? We’re delighted to be working with this minx and Studio 71 to deliver what promises to be a wickedly funny and brilliant British adventure for viewers.”

Rosie’s Great British, Female Gay, Disabled, Covid Compliant Adventure (w/t) has been commissioned for Channel 4 by Sarah Lazenby, Head of Features & Formats.  The Studio71 UK production will be produced by Executive Producers Jody Smith and Tom Payne and directed by Tom Levinge.

For more information, please contact:

Phie McKenzie / phie.mckenzie@studio71uk.com

Featured photo is used by permission of Aemen Sukkar at Jiksaw