A keen sportsman and talented musician will become the 31st presenter on the popular children's programme Blue Peter, CBBC announced yesterday.
Gethin Jones, 26, said it was a "dream come true" to be picked to front the much loved show, now in its 47th year. The Cardiff-born economics and geography graduate will replace Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas when he leaves at the end of the current series to pursue new interests.
Gethin, who is presenter of S4C's weekly live children's programme Uned 5, said: "I am so excited, this really is a dream come true. I had my first audition a few months ago and the waiting has been unbearable.
"When I got the job I spent several days thinking I must have been imagining it and that I hadn't really got the job after all.
"I've wanted to present Blue Peter ever since I was a viewer myself and I can't wait to get stuck in."
Blue Peter editor Richard Marson said: "Gethin impressed us all with his warmth, his understanding of the audience and his passion for Blue Peter. We think he'll fit in brilliantly and we're really looking forward to putting his many talents to the test over the next few years."
Simon Thomas, 31, announced last week he was quitting the show after six years. The vicar's son joined in January 1999 as a replacement for the disgraced Richard Bacon, who was sacked for taking cocaine.
He said: "It was a tough decision to make because Blue Peter is a place where you get to fulfil your dreams - and I've certainly done that."
Gethin Jones will be joining fellow new recruit and ex-Miss Northern Ireland beauty queen Zoe Salmon, 24.
He has a sporty background and was captain of his university rugby union first XV. He is also a keen footballer, tennis player and golfer, as well as a talented musician with grade eight violin and grade six piano.
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