Falkirk-born Abby Cook has been announced as Blue Peter’s newest presenter. Abby is the 42nd presenter of the longest-running children’s TV show in the world and will co-host alongside Mwaksy, Joel and Henry the dog.
Abby, 20, attended Grangemouth High School, leaving with straight A’s, before studying Applied Biological Science at Forth Valley College. Since then, she has worked with Valley Disability Sport, supporting disabled and non-disabled young people to enjoy being active together, and as a mental health project administrator for Scottish Disability Sport, helping to promote inclusion within sport.
As a wheelchair user she loves to get involved in sports like wheelchair racing, training twice a week with Paralympians as part of the Forth Valley Flyers, and she is a big fan of wheelchair basketball. She describes herself as a big kid at heart and a bit of a thrill seeker and in her spare time can be found training at the track or doing wheelies at the local skate park.
Abby is a big animal lover, and adores creepie crawlies and her family dog Tato. She’s also very musical, playing both electric and bass guitar, as well as the Ukulele, and likes nothing more than going to watch a musical theatre show. She’s also into crafting which, she says, will come in useful in her new Blue Peter role, enjoying plate painting, pottery and embroidery.
Abby has been a big fan of Blue Peter all her life. When she first spoke to the show’s producers she declared ‘here’s one I made earlier’ when demonstrating her ability to play the Ukulele, despite only knowing the audition was for ‘a BBC show’. She also impressed when she revealed she loved to collect badges as a child, with her animal impersonation skills, and with her ability to remain unflustered after trying to play the kazoo from the wrong end.
Blue Peter Editor, Ellen Evans:
“When Abby came to the studio, we knew she would be great for the show because she has an unstoppable ‘can do’ attitude. She’s up for any challenge and we know she’ll connect beautifully with our audience because she has a real affinity for working with young people, but she also has the biggest of hearts.”
Cook’s first live show airs on Friday, 10 March on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5pm.
