Two new presenters join Blue Peter

9:15pm Saturday 6th September 2008

A 23-year-old who is a famous face in New Zealand has been unveiled as a new Blue Peter presenter.

Joel Defries, has presented a live, three-hour music show five days a week in the country, where he spent much of his time growing up.

He recently returned to the UK and has landed a job as one of the new hosts of BBC children's show Blue Peter.

London-born Defries joins current presenter Andy Akinwolere and fellow newcomer Helen Skelton, 25, for the new series which begins later this month.

He said: "Being the presenter of Blue Peter is one of the finest jobs in the world. I wake up every day thinking I can't believe this is happening.

"I have never been so happy and can't wait to see what other adventures Blue Peter has lined up for me."

Defries was voted "person most likely to present a TV show" by his classmates at a young age.

He grew up in India and New Zealand, where he had his first taste of TV presenting on the live music show C4.

Skelton, who has been labelled a WAG for dating a footballer in the Scottish Premier League but has worked in radio and TV since she was 18, also joins the line-up, following the departure of Zoe Salmon and Gethin Jones.

Blue Peter editor Tim Levell said: "In our 50th birthday year we want Blue Peter to be as fresh and as relevant to children as ever, and we believe that our two new presenters will really help us achieve that aim.

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