Blue Peter have signed up 22-year-old Tik Tok star Shini Muthukrishnan as the latest host after a mass reshuffle saw three presenters quit within 14 months.
There were fears that the longest-running children’s TV show could be axed, with insiders calling the programme a ‘very unhappy, sinking ship’ in October, after the slew of departures.
Yet show bosses will no doubt be hoping that hiring Shini will bring some stability to the much-loved show when she makes her debut on January 19.
Shini will co-host alongside Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney and Henry the dog on her first live show airing Friday 19th January on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5.00pm.
The content creator has not presented before but built up a large social media following in lockdown with videos celebrating her British, Indian and Malaysian heritage.
Blue Peter have signed up 22-year-old Tik Tok star Shini Muthukrishnan as the latest host after a mass reshuffle saw three presenters quit within 14 months
Shini, who recently graduated from King’s College London where she studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics, has experience of working with children, having taught children in Hong Kong during her gap year and volunteered at a youth camp in Birmingham.
Speaking about joining the Blue Peter team, she gushed: ‘Being part of the Blue Peter team is such a surreal and exciting feeling. It’s my first time on the big screen and I can’t wait for all the adventures to come!’
Shini says the show had a big impact on her when she was younger, adding: ‘I have really fond memories of Blue Peter, Helen and Barney were my era.
‘As a kid, I looked up to Helen Skelton, she seemed fearless on screen. She took on incredible challenges with such a headstrong attitude that made me think I can be fearless too.’
Shini will certainly be earning her Blue Peter badge with her first challenge by taking part in some incredible aircraft aerobatics.
Her first live show on Friday will also see her attempt to bath Henry the dog and cook up a tasty treat.
Blue Peter Editor, Ellen Evans, said of the appointment: ‘Shini is an exciting new talent, who impressed us with her adventurous spirit, sense of humour, determination and aspiration to have a positive impact on kids’ lives.
As a digital creative, she’s built a following online creating a fun, positive space connecting with young people, and I can’t wait for the Blue Peter audience to meet Shini too!’
Shini’s hiring comes four months after insiders shared their fears for the show’s future after popular host Mwaksy Mudenda quit, leaving just two presenters to anchor it for the first time since long-standing daredevil presenter John Noakes joined Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves in 1965.
Last year popular host Mwaksy Mudenda (left) quit leaving Joel Mawhinney and Abby Cook to host the show alongside Henry the dog
TV sources also expressed fears over the viewing figures, fearing its broadcast on digital channel CBBC struggles to keep up with platforms like YouTube Kids as well as other distractions such as computer games.
One told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s all a bit concerning. It used to be the case that when there was an outgoing presenter a new one would be lined up straight away to take over. It was like they were passing on the Blue Peter baton.
‘But in recent years they’ve really struggled. The fact that they have yet to replace Mwaksy is very telling.
‘Losing three presenters in 14 months has not been ideal. There’s a feeling among the crew that Blue Peter is a sinking ship, which is not a happy place to be.
‘It has been such an institution but Blue Peter hasn’t managed to keep up with the times and the magazine show format is tired.’
Mudenda’s departure followed the loss of presenter Richie Driss, 24, in March. He was replaced a week later by Scottish wheelchair racer Abby Cook, 20.
In July 2022, Adam Beales, 24, left the show after less than two years to get more ‘balance’ in his life.
He was replaced by Bangor-born Joel Mawhinney, 26, who continues to present the show.
In 2011 Blue Peter was moved from its teatime slot on BBC One to CBBC after the production team relocated from London to Media City in Salford in Manchester.
Shini’s hiring comes four months after insiders shared their fears for the show’s future (Pictured, former presenters John Noakes holding Shep the dog, Valerie Singleton holding Jason the cat and Peter Purves holding Petra in 1971)
In its BBC One heyday, the programme attracted nearly eight million viewers.
But in 2017 a repeated episode failed to register a single viewer – five days after its first broadcast attracted an audience of 53,000.
The BBC refused to share its viewing figures but did say a recent book competition received 6,000 applications.
A spokesman played down the problems on the show, saying that there are currently ‘no plans’ to drop it.
They added: ‘The programme continues to be enjoyed by audiences on the CBBC channel and iPlayer.
‘Blue Peter has a track-record of launching talent who go on to have great success in the entertainment industry, and we are always pleased to see our presenters move onwards in their careers.
‘We have two new brilliant and popular presenters; social media star Joel Mawhinney and Paralympian Abby Cook.’
Other notable presenters over the decades include Anthea Turner, Janet Ellis, Yvette Fielding, Konnie Huq and Richard Bacon, who was fired in 1998 after being caught taking cocaine.
In 2011 Blue Peter was moved from its teatime slot on BBC One to CBBC. Pictured, Barney Harwood and Helen Skelton cuddle Barney the dog in 2011
