Simon Thomas to leave Blue Peter
Simon Thomas is to leave Blue Peter after over six years on the
programme.
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Simon said: "It was a tough decision to make because
Blue Peter is a place where you get to fulfil your dreams - and I've
certainly done that.
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"But six and a half years is a long time and I
feel that now is the time to make way for someone new and to take on
fresh challenges."
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Simon, 31, joined Blue Peter on 8 January 1999, replacing
Richard Bacon, and by the time he leaves he will have presented more
than 550 editions and made nearly 300 films.
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His highlights have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
and Mont Blanc, freefall parachuting with the RAF, abseiling from a
hovering helicopter, escaping from a submarine, competing in the Indoor
Athletics championships, diving in Belize and Australia, boxing with
Amir Khan and reporting from 25 countries around the world.
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Another memorable moment was the day he awarded a gold
badge to Her Majesty The Queen - and told her that this meant she could
now get in free to the Tower of London!
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Blue Peter Editor Richard Marson said: "Simon will
be a tough act to follow - a total professional with charm, authority
and intelligence - he is one of the definitive presenters for his generation
and Blue Peter viewers have shared in all his many triumphs and achievements.
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"We wish him the very best for the future."
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Simon's last Blue Peter will be on 25 April 2005, at
the end of the current series, and it will be followed by two special
shows of highlights of his time on the programme.
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