Hope she's good with sticky-back plastic! University graduate Lindsey Russell wins competition to become new Blue Peter presenter
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University of Bristol graduate Lindsey Russell landed ‘the best job in the world’ on Thursday after winning a BBC competition to become a presenter on long-running children’s show Blue Peter.
The 22-year-old was unveiled as the 36th host of the show after triumphing in a viewer vote from a shortlist made up of three candidates.
More than 20,000 people originally applied for the coveted role after the search kicked off on CBBC show Blue Peter – You Decide, a series that effectively gave the general public power over who should take the empty spot in the Blue Peter studio.
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The winner: Lindsey Russell (centre) with current hosts Barney Harwood (right) and Helen Skelton (left)
Ten promising hopefuls were eventually grilled by a panel that included TV presenters Eamonn Holmes and Myleene Klass, with Russell’s victory announced in front of a live studio audience in Leeds.
‘I feel amazing. Thank you for voting for me so much,’ she said afterwards. ‘It’s the best job in the world – you get to do incredible things. Right now it feels a little strange. I’m quite shaky.’
Brainy Russell, who hails from Oxford, recently graduated after undertaking a four year joint-honours degree in French and drama.
Joining the team: Lindsey Russell will join show regulars Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood on Blue Peter
Her passion for both subjects has given her the opportunity to teach French children, present workshops for the National Youth Theatre and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Her versatility also extends to sport and music, with lacrosse and skiing amongst her favourite sports, while she’s also a keen pianist and saxophonist.
Speaking shortly after applying for her new role, Russell admitted that winning would give her the opportunity to live out her childhood.
Old faces: Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood with former co-presenter Andy Akinwolere
‘It would also man I wouldn’t have to grow up and go into the boring adult world after uni,’ she said.
To prepare for her application she worked at her university TV station, create online videos and prepare a showreel.
Shortly after being presented with a Blue Peter badge, Russell confessed there were one or two aspects of the job that made her slightly apprehensive.
‘I’d be a bit scared of under the water,’ she said. ‘So anything a bit fishy or slimy.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2378171/University-graduate-Lindsey-Russell-22-wins-CBBC-competition-new-presenter-Blue-Peter.html#ixzz2a6AXvMvZ
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