BLUE PETER ANNOUNCES NEW 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. An exciting new talent, her first live show airs on Friday, 10 March on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5pm.

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 promoting 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.

She says she is still in shock at joining the very exclusive Blue Peter presenting club. "I was speechless when I found out, I had to check it was true, it was a very emotional moment knowing I would actually be presenting a show I love and had grown up with.”

Abby says the show had a big impact on her when she was younger: “Helen and Barney were my era, but I also became obsessed with watching ‘You Decide’ when the public got to choose the latest presenter and they picked Lindsey. I remember thinking what a great role model she was, she had never presented before but here was this strong woman going on the show and doing an amazing job. I’m hoping to do the same because I know what a lasting impression the presenters can have on the audience.”

Abby, who admits she is afraid of heights, will certainly be earning her Blue Peter Badge with her first challenge - abseiling down Millers Dale Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. On her first show Abby will be showing her skills at track and meeting animals in studio.

Blue Peter Editor, Ellen Evans, says: ““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.”

Blue Peter is produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family. It is on CBBC every Friday at 5pm and is available on BBC iPlayer.