Blue Peter is the longest-running children’s television programme in the world.So it’s not surprising that it has had a very long list of presenters over its lifespan – after first being broadcast in October 1958.The total number of hosts has now reached a whopping 44 and many will be particularly recognisable figures from our childhood.Konnie Huq, the 26th presenter, is officially the longest-serving female host in the history of the show, working on the series from 1997 to 2008. Other memorable Blue Peter names include Richard Bacon – who famously left the show after a drugs scandal -, Katy Hill, Mark Curry, Janet Ellis and Simon Thomas.These main stars have had varying fates since leaving the show, with some remaining in showbiz and others shunning the TV world to pursue other careers. So, what happened to the main hosts of Blue Peter? What happened to the hosts of Blue Peter? Pictured L-R Konnie Huq, Richard Bacon, Katy Hill and Stuart Miles in 1998 Katy Hill Katy, 55, became a household name when she joined Blue Peter in 1995 as the fearless girl next door, hurling herself out of planes, flying with the Red Arrows and winning a BAFTA.The kids’ TV icon, who also presented Live & Kicking and Top Of The Pops in the nineties and noughties quit fame in 2017 and now works as a certified success and confidence coach.She left Blue Peter in 2001, after which she presented the BBC Saturday morning children’s show, Live & Kicking, for a year alongside stints on Top Of The Pops.She also presented the BBC’s Holiday and went on to present the weekend breakfast show on 95.8 Capital FM. The presenter now lives in Oxfordshire with her husband, television presenter-turned-producer Trey Farley, and their two children, Kaya, 19, who recently started university, and Akira, 15. Sharing an update on Instagram in January Katy explained how in 2017 whilst hosting the Heart Radio Breakfast Show she decided to quit her broadcasting career. ‘I was living life by DEFAULT, not DESIGN. ‘Success’ but not on my terms,’ she wrote. Katy, 55, became a household name when she joined Blue Peter in 1995 as the fearless girl next door, hurling herself out of planes, flying with the Red Arrows and winning a BAFTA The presenter now lives in Oxfordshire with her husband, television presenter-turned-producer Trey Farley, and their two children, Kaya, 19, who recently started uni, and Akira, 15 ‘So I took action and did something about it! Many years of training and a LOT of qualifications later, I became an internationally certified COACH! Having got past fear in my own life to play bigger than I ever thought possible, I wanted to equip and empower others to as well.’In an interview last year Katy revealed how landing her dream job as a Blue Peter presenter left her battling insecurities over her body – after a producer told her she was fat before filming her first episode.Speaking on the Shall I Delete That? podcast, the Dorset-born star said: ‘When I landed the job, somebody – and he’s a really lovely guy, so I won’t name him – but he was high up on the show, and he said to me, ‘Now, you need to think about it because you’re a bigger girl and you don’t carry yourself very well on camera”.’I was a size 12-14. So imagine you’re going on telly in front of 15 million people – you’re already out-of-body terrified, and then someone’s told you you don’t move very well.’The average dress size in the UK is 16. Katy added: ‘It’s amazing that I don’t and have never had an eating disorder of any kind because I know most of the TV girls that I was with at the time definitely suffered from bulimia and anorexia. That was rife. A lot of people did drugs because that was a way for them to stay skinny.’ The comment about her weight stuck with her throughout her career. On screen she began standing at an angle to make her shoulders appear smaller – a habit that continued years later.Katy added that she often found herself the target of cruel whispers from women behind the scenes, telling: ‘We used to have communal changing rooms. There’d be like 12 people in one room.”I’d strip down to my underwear and was suddenly very aware that nobody was getting changed anymore. And you’d feel 12 eyes on you and you’d hear whispering of, ‘oh, she’s got a bit of cellulite’ or ‘my boyfriend really fancies her, but wait till I tell him this’. Like, looking for the negative. And it was so hard because I’m so supportive of women, and I always want to big women up.”That was a strange time to live through because of feeling like you were under that scrutiny. But thank god there was no social media because I would never see messages where people would go, oh…’The thing I found hardest is the belief that just because somebody’s on TV, they’re fair game, and they think highly of themselves, and I never did. I wanted to do a particular show. I didn’t want to be on TV per se. That was just kind of where I got to do all the amazing stuff that I got to do, but I never thought highly of myself.After her exit, she revealed how her agent insisted they make her ‘a bit more sexy’ and suggested Katy do a magazine shoot for a lads mag.She explained: ‘I’d shunned the lads mags forever because everybody did those, and it’s like, that’s not who I am. I’m not about to stand there in my underwear. So I was like, absolutely not doing underwear. So she managed to agree that we would do swimsuits in Barcelona.’Despite throwing herself into the gym and overhauling her image, Katy was left devastated when the magazine came out.She said: ‘They’d chiseled my chin, elongated my legs, shrunk me. They even made my green eyes brown. She looks a little bit like she should be in Avatar. It doesn’t look like me at all.’Richard Bacon Richard Bacon, now 49, was just 18 months into his dream job at Blue Peter when he was fired at the age of 22 after admitting he took cocaine in a London nightclub in 1997Richard Bacon, now 49, was just 18 months into his dream job at Blue Peter when he was fired at the age of 22 after admitting he took cocaine in a London nightclub in 1997.Following his work on L!VE TV, Richard scooped his dream job on Blue Peter however he was hurtled into the spotlight when a tabloid – tipped off by one of his friends – revealed that he had taken cocaine.The scandal led to his dismissal from the children’s programme, with Lorraine Heggessey, head of children’s programmes, announcing the news.She released a statement reading: ‘It is sad that such a talented presenter as Richard Bacon has not only let himself and his colleagues down but, most important of all, he has let down the millions of children who watch Blue Peter.’In 2022, Richard reflected on the scandal on his show Cancelled – about cancel culture – saying: ‘A producer on Blue Peter said to me, ‘you’ll never work again,’ so it did feel like being ‘cancelled’.’Today, if I was 22 and took drugs at a party, I think I’d get some empathy and sympathy from young people.’On being told he wouldn’t work again, he said: ‘But I remember thinking: ‘That’s not true.’ I just thought I’d find a way through…’The ADHD side of me does lead to certain disorganisation and chaos in my life, and I have many flaws and things I’m bad at, but I’m quite good at getting back up again.’Richard’s fall from grace is an early example of ‘cancel culture’ – where social media has become a platform for public shaming due to old tweets.He later revealed that the cocaine scandal had helped him deal with other traumas in life, saying: ‘I was aware that I was processing it OK. When I’ve been through other traumas since then, I think I coped better because I went through that.’ He went on to present major shows like Top of the Pops and ITV’s This Morning summer editionsRichard reflected on how the scandal has plagued him, saying: ‘No matter what I go on to do in my career – I could bring peace to the Middle East – still, when I die, the top line of the obituary will be ‘fired from Blue Peter’…’I could cure Covid and still the first line would be: ‘He was that guy who was fired from Blue Peter and the head of BBC One went on telly and said that thing about him.’ It’s irrelevant to what I do now.’He later viewed the incident as a positive career catalyst that opened new doors in television. Richard joined Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast in 1999 as a roving reporter and eventual co-presenter, cementing himself as a fan favourite. He went on to present major shows like Top of the Pops and ITV’s This Morning summer editions.Mark Curry In 1986 he replaced Simon Groom as the host of Blue Peter, working alongside Janet Ellis, Peter Duncan, Caron Keating, Yvette Fielding and John Leslie (seen left) In September 2008, Mark formed a civil partnership with his long-term partner, Jeremy Sandle, a chartered surveyorMark Curry’s entertainment career began at the age of seven, when he earned himself a spot on Yorkshire Television’s Junior Showtime.He was 14 when he took on the role of Oscar DeVelt, the stuck-up theatre producer in Bugsy. Mark also spent his teenage years performing in pantomimes and variety shows and reunited with co-star Bonnie in a television pantomime in 1972, Babes in the Wood, in which they played the two babes. He then pivoted into presenting, co-hosting the series Get Set For Summer on BBC1 before becoming the main host of The Saturday Picture Show. In 1986 he replaced Simon Groom as the host of Blue Peter, working alongside Janet Ellis, Peter Duncan, Caron Keating, Yvette Fielding and John Leslie. He remained on the show for three years. Mark also presented the final series of the original run of the television quiz show Catchphrase. It was revived in 2013 with Stephen Mulhern at the helm. In September 2008, Mark formed a civil partnership with his long-term partner, Jeremy Sandle, a chartered surveyor.He had not publicly come out as gay while presenting Blue Peter in the Eighties, having feared it would damage his career.Konnie Huq Konnie remains Blue Peter’s longest-serving female presenter, and is renowned for her 11-year stint on the show, from 1997 to 2008Konnie remains Blue Peter’s longest-serving female presenter, and is renowned for her 11-year stint on the show, from 1997 to 2008.A University of Cambridge economics graduate, Konnie already had an impressive media career, having trained part-time at the National Youth Music Theatre since childhood, and she made her presenting debut at age 16 on TVFM.During her time on the show, Konnie visited Bangladesh and India, and took part in the Blue Peter Welcome Home Appeal, travelling to Angola to help reunite families separated by war. In a grand finale to her Blue Peter tenure, Konnie set a Guinness World Record by pinning 17 badges onto fellow presenter Ayo Akinwolere’s shirt in under one minute.Since leaving the show, she has participated in various charity TV specials and is the author of the popular children’s book Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World, alongside a short-lived stint as host of The Xtra Factor in 2010.Now also an established screenwriter, Konnie co-wrote the Black Mirror episode Fifteen Million Merits with her husband, the show’s creator Charlie Brooker.Konnie has previously revealed how she ‘kicked off’ when she discovered her male co-hosts were being paid more than her on the programme.Speaking to The Telegraph, she revealed she was earning ‘in the high £20,000s in 1997’ before she learnt that her co-presenters were being paid more. Seen reuniting with her co-hosts Matt Baker and Simon Thomas She said: ‘So I kicked off, fought for my rights and upped my salary. Because I’d done maths as part of my degree, I made sure I got all the back payments with compound interest.’The presenter went on to reveal how she stayed at Blue Peter for more than 10 years in the ‘stable, steady job.’She explained that it allowed her to get onto the property market and building up her savings in a career which can often be ‘tricky financially.’Konnie, who describes herself as anti-consumerist, added that buying a flat in London was the best investment she had ever had.After a public vote, Konnie was crowned the nation’s favourite Blue Peter presenter of all time in 2017.Janet EllisJanet Ellis appeared on the show from 1983 to 1987 and was a huge fan favourite amongst viewers. Janet, 70, the mother of Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, reflected on the unique experience of live broadcasting last year. She said: ‘Yes things can and do ‘go wrong’ but that’s in inverted commas because the viewer is in on that moment, which is a shared privilege. Mostly, things go right but with added immediacy and spark.’She also described her time on the show as ‘a huge and happy part of my life,’ adding: ‘Quite apart from numerous fond memories, people of a certain age say hello to me regularly. They’re my extended family and they’ve all turned out well!”I never set out to be a presenter – I was, and still am, an actress (and now writer). But if you’re going to present something, the biggest children’s show on TV in those days is a good place to start. It’s an amazing thing to have been part of people’s childhood.’Janet also praised the show’s legacy, saying: ‘The show was and is special because it has always aimed itself at the same age group- 8-12 year olds – and has never talked down to them. ‘Most of the programme’s content is viewer-generated. It challenges and questions and enjoys their lives and the world around them, always showing that it’s still a good world to grow up in.’ Janet Ellis appeared on the show from 1983 to 1987 and was a huge fan favourite amongst viewers Janet, 70, the mother of Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, reflected on the unique experience of live broadcasting last year After Blue Peter she moved into acting, novel writing and charity work as well as keeping up some of her TV work.She presented programs focusing on specific lifestyle topics, such as The Great Garden Challenge on Channel 4. She also became a familiar face on panel and daytime discussion shows, appearing regularly on The Wright Stuff, Loose Ends, and Open Air.She also appeared in various theater and television productions, including an appearance in the television drama Hotel Babylon. Janet also starred in celebrity singing contest called The Two of Us alongside R&B singer Alexander O’Neal and took part in a Come Dine With Me Celebrity Christmas Special.She has also published two fiction novels and in 2016 and was awarded an MBE for her services to theater and charity. Janet has three children from two marriages: singer Sophie, musician and former child actor Jackson Ellis-Leach, and art historian Martha-Rose Leach.Yvette Fielding Yvette Fielding, 57, was just 17 when she joined Blue Peter in 1987 Fielding went on to present a number of paranormal-based shows, including Ghosthunting With…Yvette Fielding, 57, was just 17 when she joined Blue Peter in 1987.After leaving the show Yvette and husband Karl Beattie set up their own production company and produced Most Haunted for the Living channel.Fielding went on to present a number of paranormal-based shows, including Ghosthunting With…The mother-of-two also runs and co-owns a tea shop in Manchester. She appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2015.Simon Thomas Having previously worked as a runner at the BBC, Thomas stepped into replace Richard Bacon after his sacking Thomas, 54, now presents Sky Sports’ Football League coverageHaving previously worked as a runner at the BBC, Thomas stepped into replace Richard Bacon after his sacking. During his six-year stint on Blue Peter Thomas also presented CBBC Proms in the Park.Thomas later joined Sky Sports News and was one half of a presenting team that fronted daily shows from the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.Thomas, 54, now presents Sky Sports’ Football League coverage.He took a career break in late 2017 to care for his son following the tragic death of his wife, subsequently returning to broadcasting and taking over the helm of Soccer Saturday in 2023.Matt Baker During his seven years on Blue Peter from 1999 until 2006 Matt Baker won two BAFTAs for Best Children’s Presenter two years in a row From 2009 Baker, 48, then started co-presenting Countryfile on BBC1 on Sunday nightsDuring his seven years on Blue Peter from 1999 until 2006 Matt Baker won two BAFTAs for Best Children’s Presenter two years in a row.From 2009 Baker, 48, then started co-presenting Countryfile on BBC1 on Sunday nights.He has also presented The One Show from 2011 to 2020, with Alex Jones.Baker, who has two children with wife Nicola, was runner-up in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing.Zoe Salmon Zoe Salmon was a presenter on the BBC’S Blue Peter from 2004 to 2008Zoe Salmon won the title Miss Northern Ireland while studying for her law degree but abandoned her legal career to co-present Blue Peter. A year after leaving the show, Zoe, now 46, appeared as a contestant on BBC’s Dancing on Ice.In 2011 she met husband William Corrie at a friend’s wedding in Castle Leslie, County Monaghan. The couple were engaged in Barbados in November 2015 and returned to the island to marry.Zoe’s presenting career has cooled but she appeared in a number of TV shows including Celebrity MasterChef and Pointless Celebrities.