| Helen Skelton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 July 1983 Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Television presenter, actress |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Blue Peter presenter |
Helen Skelton (born 19 July 1983) is an English television presenter. She has worked on the BBC children's programme Blue Peter since 2008. In 2010 she kayaked over 2,000 miles along the River Amazon for Sport Relief, making her nominally (subject to verification) a world record holder.
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Skelton was born at the City Maternity Hospital, Fusehill Street, Carlisle on 19 July 1983.
Skelton was brought up on a farm[1] in the village of Kirkby Thore in Cumbria. She attended Kirkby Thore Primary School, and then Appleby Grammar School. She graduated from Cumbria Institute of the Arts, where she gained a BA degree in journalism.[2] During her time at college, she worked as an extra on Coronation Street and Cutting It.
Her brother, Gavin, is a professional footballer currently playing for Barrow.[3] When she joined Blue Peter, she was dating his former Gretna team-mate David Graham;[2] the couple broke up in October 2009.[4]
Skelton is a qualified tap dance teacher and has said that if she was not a broadcaster she would be a teacher as "I like the sound of my own voice."[2]
After briefly working in public relations, Skelton decided to concentrate on journalism. She worked in the newsroom at CFM Radio, and was involved with various programmes at Border Television, before becoming a breakfast presenter on BBC Radio Cumbria in 2005,[1][2] becoming one of the youngest breakfast show presenters on the BBC network.[5] She was then a reporter and occasional presenter on children's news programme Newsround and its weekend sports based version, Sportsround.[5]
Skelton was revealed as a new Blue Peter presenter on 28 August 2008, replacing Zöe Salmon,[6] becoming the 33rd presenter for the programme.[5]
In a challenge for the show, she took an uncredited role in the BBC production of Merlin.
Skelton ran and completed the Marathon des Sables, after all the other Blue Peter presenters had given up through exhaustion, or through blisters to the feet. In April 2009, Skelton became only the second woman ever to finish the 78 miles (125.5 km) Namibian Ultra Marathon.[7] Skelton completed the run in 23 hours and 45 minutes - just 15 minutes under the time limit of one day. "It was a gruelling experience, but one I'll never forget. There were tough times but also amazing times," she told Newsround.[8] Just weeks later, she completed the 2009 London Marathon.
In early 2010, Skelton kayaked the entire length of the River Amazon for Sport Relief 2010. She kayaked 2,010 miles (3,230 km) on a solo journey from Nauta in Peru on 20 January, to Almeirim, Brazil on 28 February, achieving two world records (awaiting verification) from Guinness World Records: the longest solo journey by kayak, and the longest distance in a kayak in 24 hours by a woman.[9]
Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley Nigel Evans tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons after her Amazon challenge:[10]
| “ | That this House congratulates Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton on her 2,000 mile kayak along the Amazon to raise money for Sport Relief; notes her considerable position as a role model to young people and the magnificent example she sets; further notes the forthcoming verification by Guinness World Records of the two records set by Helen during her effort - longest solo journey by kayak and the longest distance travelled in a kayak in 24 hours by a woman; and further notes the work of Sport Relief in raising money to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both in the UK and all over the world. | ” |
Skelton walked a 150-metre tightrope between chimneys at Battersea Power Station, 66 metres above ground, to raise money for Comic Relief on 28 February 2011.[11][12] Blue Peter created two specials about her walk.
In 2012, Skelton is raising more money for Sport Relief by attempting to become the first person to reach the South Pole using a bicycle. The bike is custom built for her trip, with 8-inch tyres. She will also use skis and a kite to help her pull a sled containing 82 kg of supplies.[13][14]
| Preceded by Zöe Salmon |
Blue Peter Presenter No. 33 2008–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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