TikTok star becomes new Blue Peter presenter

< / figure>Richard PriceBBC News, West Midlands 6 hours ago

A 22-year-old who built up a large following on TikTok during the coronavirus pandemic has joined Blue Peter in as the show's 43rd presenter.

Shini Muthukrishnan, from Stafford, will be broadcast live for her first show on CBBC on Friday at 5:00 p.m. GMT.

She will co-host the world's longest-running children's TV show alongside Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney and Henry the Dog.

Blue Peter will be the first TV presenting role for Ms Muthukrishnan whose lockdown videos celebrated her British, Indian and Malaysian heritage.

Ms Muthukrishnan, who played badminton for Staffordshire County, recently graduated from King's College London where she studied philosophy, politics and economics.

She said: "Being part of the Blue Peter team is such a surreal and exciting feeling.

“I have very fond memories of Blue Peter. When I was a child I admired Helen Skelton, she seemed fearless on screen. She faced incredible challenges with such a stubborn attitude that made me think “I too can be fearless.”