Gethin Jones

Gethin Clifford Jones (born 12 February 1978) is a Welsh television presenter. An active rugby union player while at Manchester Metropolitan University and, for a time, after graduation, Jones began his television career on Welsh language channel S4C as a presenter of children's programmes such as Popty, Mas Draw and the flagship children's entertainment show Uned 5 (Unit 5, 2002–2005).

For either of two Welsh footballers, see Gethin Jones (footballer, born 1981) and Gethin Jones (footballer, born 1995).

Gethin Jones
Jones at the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, 31 May 2008
Born
Gethin Clifford Jones

(1978-02-12) 12 February 1978
Cardiff, Wales
OccupationTelevision presenter
Years active1990s–present
TelevisionBlue Peter (2005–2008)
Remembrance Week (2010–)
71 Degrees North (2010)
Daybreak (2011–2014)
Holding Out for a Hero (2011)
WebsiteOfficial website

In 2005, he became the 31st presenter of BBC children's programme Blue Peter.

Early life and education

Jones was born on 12 February 1978 in Cardiff, the son of Sylvia (née Groskop), a violin teacher, and Goronwy Jones, headteacher of Baden Powell Primary School. He has an older sister, Mererid.[1] One of his maternal great-grandfathers was a Polish-Jewish immigrant.[2][3] With Welsh as his first language, he attended Ysgol Gynradd Coed-y-Gof and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (in Llandaff North, Cardiff) for his primary and secondary school education, respectively. Jones has Grade 8 violin and Grade 6 piano qualifications,[4] and took part in school musicals and school and county orchestras. He took Biology, Geography and Economics at A-Levels.[5][6]

Jones had dual interests throughout school. His mother wanted him to develop his musical talents, while he enjoyed rugby union. While studying Economics and Geography at Manchester Metropolitan University where he gained a 2:2,[4][5] he was captain of the university's rugby first team and played in the Lancashire under-21 team. At the age of 21 in his final year, Jones was offered trials by Sale RFC.[5] However, he was not good enough. He eventually set aside his plans for a professional rugby career and returned to Wales.

Professional career

Prior to his television career, Jones worked as a bank clerk, a telephone hotline officer and as a research assistant and spent three months as a builder laying house foundations.[4] He subsequently joined Welsh channel S4C as a presenter of children's programmes such as Popty (the Welsh equivalent of Top of the Pops),[7] Mas Draw, and the flagship children's entertainment show Uned 5 (2002–05).[8] In 2004, as part of a challenge on the show, he learned how to fly a plane and gained his pilot's licence.[4]

In 2003, Jones was voted Bachelor of the Year by the readers of Company magazine.[9]

Blue Peter
Main article: Blue Peter

On 26 April 2005, Jones became a presenter[10] of the children's television series, Blue Peter.[7][9] He auditioned on the same day as co-presenter Zöe Salmon. During his time, Jones presented the show with Salmon, Konnie Huq, Matt Baker, Liz Barker and Andy Akinwolere. As a presenter, he took on the action/adventure role filled by John Noakes and Peter Duncan in the past; highlights included flying with the Red Arrows[7] and in a World War II Supermarine Spitfire, completing submarine escape training with the Royal Navy,[11] surviving the Bolivian jungle,[12] being attacked by an alligator in Louisiana.[13] learning to race like a jockey,[12] and fighting as a samurai warrior in Japan.[13]

In 2006, Jones became the second civilian to finish the Royal Marine Commando 30-mile (48 km) Yomp[11] – he finished in a time of eight hours and 20 minutes.[14] He also played the violin at the Proms with the BBC Philharmonic.[12]

On 12 February 2008, on his 30th birthday, Jones and his Blue Peter co-presenters climbed the highest peaks in each constituent country of the United Kingdom, starting with Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, followed by Snowdon in North Wales. The following day, having travelled overnight by coach to the Lake District, they climbed Scafell Pike. They were then to be transported to Scotland by helicopter to climb Ben Nevis, but were unable to do so because of problems with the helicopter, forcing them to land in Oban. They succeeded in climbing the mountain the next day. This challenge was in aid of Sport Relief 2008.[15]

Jones announced on 8 April 2008 on Blue Peter that after three and half years with the show, he would be leaving at the end of the current series in June. His spokeswoman said he had always planned to leave when he turned 30. Jones said, "I've had a career on Blue Peter that you wouldn't even dream about and for that I feel privileged and fortunate. ... I've loved it, lived it ... and now I feel the time is right to leave it."[12][16]

Presenter
Jones presenting at a charity ball on 21 March 2008 in Bristol, England

Jones has been a presenter for a number of major live telecasts, including Mardi Gras in Cardiff in front of 40,000 people, Y Briodas Fawr (The Big Wedding, 2004–2005),[17] and Jones Jones Jones (2006) at Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre where the world record was broken for the biggest gathering of people with the same surname.[18] He co-presented the 2006, 2007 and 2008 New Year's Eve programme New Year Live on BBC One with various other presenters.[19]

On 16 February 2008, Jones began presenting a new 15-minute programme entitled E24 on BBC News with James Dagwell.[20] Between 4 and 11 May 2008, Jones was the narrator and presenter of the 2008 BBC Young Musician of the Year. The biennial music competition was held at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, and broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Four.[21]

Jones made his radio debut on BBC Radio 5 Live on 5 July 2008,[22] presenting a three-hour Saturday morning show focusing on sport and entertainment.[23]

Jones appeared in The National Lottery: Big 7, a live programme broadcast on BBC One on 30 August 2008 where the winners of the National Lottery Awards 2008 were announced.[24]

Jones was one of the players for the Rest of the World for Soccer Aid on 7 September 2008 on ITV. England won four goals to three.[25] Jones was again chosen to play for the Rest of the World in the Soccer Aid match on 7 June 2010. The team won 7 goals to 6 after a penalty shoot out.

On 13 September 2008, Jones presented the Proms in the Park from Singleton Park in Swansea on the BBC as part of the Last Night of the Proms programme and was one of the concerts available for viewers with interactive television.[26]

For six weeks from 28 September, Jones presented a programme for Virgin 1 entitled Gethin Jones' Danger Hunters, which featured adrenaline junkies and their search for the ultimate thrill.[27] Jones presented a Police Camera Action! programme about the dangers of drink driving, which was aired on 17 December 2008 on ITV1.[28]

2009–2011

Between 5 January and 15 April 2009, Jones hosted his first quiz show, a Welsh language rugby-themed general knowledge competition, on S4C entitled Cwis Meddiant.[29] He is following this up with another quiz show on Sky1 called Sell Me the Answer. Filming of the 50 episodes took place at the Fountain Studios in Wembley, North London, and the programme began airing in November 2009.[30] From 17 to 21 August 2009, Jones presented BBC One's The One Show with Gloria Hunniford filling in for Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley.[31]

In 2010, Jones presented the Golden Globes programme from the red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday 17 January 2010 with Angela Griffin and a studio show in the UK was hosted by Claudia Winkelman. The programme was broadcast on Sky1 Movies and Sky1 Movies HD, with a résumé on Sky1 at 11 pm.[32] On 12 February 2010, Jones was a guest on the Welsh S4C chat show Jonathan presented by Jonathan Davies.[33] In 2010, Jones co-hosted ITV's 71 Degrees North with Kate Thornton, which saw celebrities performing various tasks in the extreme weather conditions of Norway.[34]

In February 2011, Jones was a guest presenter on This Morning with Gloria Hunniford. In the Autumn of 2011, Jones presented ITV gameshow Holding Out For a Hero. He also hosted Remembrance Week on BBC One that November. From 19 to 23 December, Gethin was a guest features reporter for the ITV Breakfast programme Daybreak.

2012–present

Jones and Louise Minchin presented the documentary series Crime and Punishment, which aired on BBC One on 12 March 2012. On 21 May 2012, Jones joined ITV's Daybreak full-time as a reporter. He later left the show.[35]

In August 2014, Jones hosted the ten-part daytime ITV quiz show, The 21st Question.[36][37]

On 8 May 2016, Jones began co-presenting Sunday Morning Breakfast from 9 am to 12 noon over the summer with Caroline Flack across the Heart Network.[38] He has been a reporter for Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two since 2016, and guest presented two episodes on 15 and 16 November 2017, standing in for Zoe Ball.

He took part in the 2016 Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, partnered with Chloe Hewitt.

He presented the Hits Radio breakfast show alongside Gemma Atkinson and Comedy Dave until 2019.[39]

Other work

Jones appeared as a Cyberman in a 2006 episode of Doctor Who and as a Dalek operator in the final episode in 2008.[40] He guest-starred as himself in The Sarah Jane Adventures pilot "Invasion of the Bane" (2007).

In 2007, Jones participated in Series 5 of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering Camilla Dallerup.[41] He came third after being voted out in a "dance-off" in the semi-final.[42] He also appeared in the programme's Christmas Special, finishing second behind Darren Gough after each couple received a perfect score.

Jones was one of the celebrities who took part in the Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour! 2009. As his partner from the television show, Camilla Dallerup was dancing with Tom Chambers, Jones partnered Flavia Cacace. The tour began in Newcastle on 16 January and ended at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on 22 February 2009 with a total of 44 shows.[43] He and his dance partner achieved a total of six wins during the run of the tour.[44]

In December 2009, Jones appeared in the 2009 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special along with Rachel Stevens, Ali Bastian, Ricky Whittle, Chris Hollins and Austin Healey. His partner was again Flavia Cacace. The couple were not voted into the final two, despite a score of 38 for their American Smooth. From 4 December 2009 until 10 January 2010, Jones appeared as Prince Charming in the pantomime Cinderella at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford. In September 2010, Jones appeared as the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.[45]

In 2012 Jones made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of comedy drama Stella. In May 2012, Jones was an Olympic Torchbearer in the torch relay before the 2012 Summer Olympics.[46] Since August 2012, Jones has been an Ambassador for the Wandsworth series of London Sky Rides.

In 2020, Jones appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef[47]

In the autumn of 2020, Jones began presenting the daily morning magazine show Morning Live on BBC1, alongside Kym Marsh.[48][49] The series ended on 18 December 2020 and the BBC confirmed on 17 December it would return in 2021 for a second series.[50]

Filmography

Television & radio
Year Title Role
2005–2008 Blue Peter Co-presenter
2006 Jones Jones Jones Presenter
2006–2008 New Year Live Reporter
2008 BAFTA Cymru Awards Presenter
Young Musician of the Year Presenter
BBC Radio 5 Live Presenter
The National Lottery: Big 7 Presenter
Gethin Jones' Danger Hunters Presenter
2008–2009 BBC Proms in the Park, Wales Presenter
2008–2010 The National Lottery Draws Presenter
2008, 2010 Police Camera Action! Presenter
2008— E24 Presenter
2009 Cwis Meddiant Presenter
The One Show Stand-in presenter
2009–2010 Sell Me the Answer Presenter
2010 Drop Zone Presenter
71 Degrees North Co-presenter
Golden Globes: Red Carpet Co-presenter
2010— Remembrance Week Presenter
2011 This Morning Guest presenter
Holding Out for a Hero Presenter
The Adventurer's Guide to Britain Co-presenter
2011–2014 Daybreak Reporter
2012 Crime and Punishment Co-presenter
Britain's Secret Treasures Reporter
2014 The 21st Question Presenter
2016 Sunday Morning Breakfast (Heart Network) Co-presenter
2016— Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Reporter & guest presenter
2018— Hits Radio Breakfast Show Co-presenter
2020 Celebrity Masterchef Contestant
2020– Morning Live Co–presenter

Some of the information in this table was obtained from Gethin Jones: Filmography, Internet Movie Database (IMDb), retrieved 21 January 2008.

Actor, cameo or participant
Date(s)
of appearance		 Television programme or series Role Notes
2004 Company Bachelor of the Year 2004 Participant
25 June 2006 Children's Party at the Palace Julian Kirrin of Enid Blyton's Famous Five
13 May 2006 – 20 May 2006 Doctor Who
"Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel"		 Cyberman 2 episodes
2007 Strictly Come Dancing Participant Came third
2007 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Guest
1 January 2007 The Sarah Jane Adventures
"Invasion of the Bane"		 Himself, Cameo appearance 1 episode
5 July 2008 Doctor Who
"Journey's End"		 Dalek 1 episode
7 September 2008 Soccer Aid 2008 Player, Rest of the World team
16 January –
22 February 2009		 Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour! 2009 Participant
25 December 2016 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special Participant

Some of the information in this table was obtained from Gethin Jones: Filmography, Internet Movie Database (IMDb), retrieved 21 January 2008.

Awards

On 5 November 2008, Jones won the title of "Ultimate Hottie" by Cosmopolitan magazine. He has been in contention with other similar competitions.[51]

Personal life

In December 2007, Jones became romantically involved with mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins.[52] They first met in 2005.[1] It was reported they met after Jenkins sang "Time to Say Goodbye" with Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli on an episode of Strictly Come Dancing, broadcast on 21 October 2007.[53] Jenkins's spokesman has said: "They're old friends and they've been on several dates. But people shouldn't consider buying hats just yet."[54]

In February 2011, Jones and Jenkins announced their engagement. However, on 30 December 2011, they both announced that they were going their separate ways.[55]

Jones is a keen footballer (he supports Everton FC, and hosted a 2009 DVD entitled My Everton), tennis player and golfer.[4] He is short-sighted and wore contact lenses or glasses[5] until he underwent a laser procedure to correct his shortsightedness on 17 June 2009.

Further reading

References
  1. Catherine Evans (9 December 2007), "Katherine and Gethin's first meeting", Wales on Sunday (reproduced on icWales.co.uk)
  2. Wightwick, Abbie (17 November 2012). "How TV star Gethin Jones' ancestors saved thousands of lives". walesonline.
  3. "North Wales Live - Latest North Wales news, sport, what's on and business". www.dailypost.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. David Greenwood (25 January 2005), "Blue Peter job is like a dream", Daily Post (reproduced on icNorthWales.co.uk)
  5. Jonatha Sale [interviewer] (15 March 2007), "Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Gethin Jones, 'Blue Peter' presenter: 'All of my lessons were in Welsh'", The Independent, London
  6. Jones got an E in biology, D in geography and C in economics for his A-levels, and an A in music at AS-level: Jonathan Sale [interviewer] (15 March 2007), "Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Gethin Jones, 'Blue Peter' presenter: 'All of my lessons were in Welsh'", The Independent, London
  7. Biographies: Gethin Jones, presenter, Blue Peter, BBC Press Office, December 2005, retrieved 18 June 2008
  8. Sian Eirian (22 November 2007), "Show has a grand day out with Gethin Jones", Western Mail
  9. "Gethin gets the job and a Blue Peter badge", Western Mail (reproduced on icWales.co.uk), 25 January 2005
  10. Welsh TV host to join Blue Peter his blue Peter highlight was meeting the band Paint it Pink, BBC News, 24 January 2005
  11. Blue Peter presenter takes the plunge, Ministry of Defence, 2 February 2007, archived from the original on 4 October 2012, retrieved 19 January 2008
  12. Gethin Jones to quit Blue Peter, icWales.co.uk, 8 April 2008, archived from the original on 3 September 2013, retrieved 18 June 2008
  13. The contestants: Gethin Jones, Strictly Come Dancing, 2007, archived from the original on 23 October 2007, retrieved 21 January 2008
  14. "Talking Shop: Gethin Jones". BBC News. 29 February 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  15. Hywel Trewyn (13 February 2008), "Blue Peter's Gethin climbs Snowdon for birthday", Daily Post; "Zoe's in peak condition", Belfast Telegraph, 13 February 2008; Jamie Smith (14 February 2008), "Blue Peter hits new heights on Snowdon", Caernarfon Herald (reproduced on icWales.co.uk)
  16. Ben Dowell (8 April 2008), "Gethin Jones leaves Blue Peter", The Guardian (MediaGuardian), London
  17. Y Briodas Fawr, UK Game Shows.com, c. 2007, retrieved 3 September 2008
  18. Meet the Joneses for world record, BBC News, 19 July 2006; "World record attempt is a family affair", USA Today, 3 November 2006
  19. Leigh Holmwood (2 January 2008), "BBC1 countdown chimes with viewers", The Guardian, London
  20. Leigh Holmwood (12 February 2008), "News 24 launches showbiz news show", The Guardian (g2), London
  21. Laura Wright (9 April 2008), "Gethin says goodbye but Dr Who beckons", South Wales Echo (reproduced on icWales.co.uk), archived from the original on 15 April 2008; Karen Price (9 April 2008), "TV's Gethin sets course for stardom", Western Mail (reproduced on icWales.co.uk); The grand final weekend, BBC, 2008, retrieved 30 April 2008
  22. Gethin Jones, BBC Radio 5 Live, 2008, retrieved 7 July 2008
  23. Blue Peter star joins Five Live, BBC News, 22 April 2008
  24. The National Lottery Awards – winners announced live on BBC1!, National Lottery, 18 April 2008, archived from the original on 13 January 2009, retrieved 23 August 2008
  25. Final Soccer Aid line up is announced, ITV, 2008, retrieved 4 September 2008; Kev Geoghegan (5 September 2008), "Stars to raise cash at Soccer Aid", BBC News, retrieved 2 October 2008
  26. BBC Proms in the Park, BBC Press Office, 9 April 2008, archived from the original on 17 April 2008, retrieved 18 June 2008
  27. Adam Benzine (11 June 2008), Virgin1 hunts down Fear Junkies, C21 Media, retrieved 18 June 2008
  28. Police Camera Action drink drive special, ITV, 24 November 2008, archived from the original on 20 December 2008, retrieved 17 December 2008
  29. Cwis Meddiant, Cwis Meddiant, S4C, 2009, archived from the original on 30 April 2009, retrieved 24 April 2009, This is my first stab at presenting a TV quiz, but I enjoy anything that has an element of competition because I'm such a competitive person myself.; [Fixtures], Cwis Meddiant, S4C, 2009, archived from the original on 2 May 2009, retrieved 24 April 2009
  30. Fancy winning £25,000? Want to be on TV?, Sky1, British Sky Broadcasting, 2009, retrieved 24 April 2009
  31. "One Programmes – The One Show". BBC. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  32. "The Golden Globe Awards 2010". Tv.sky.com. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  33. "S4C profile: Adloniant". S4c.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  34. "Richie, Huq tipped for '71 Degrees North' – 71 Degrees North News". Digital Spy. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  35. Gethin Jones joins Daybreak ITV Press Centre, 16 May 2012
  36. Wightman, Catriona (6 February 2014). "Andi Peters for Ejector Seat gameshow". Digital Spy.
  38. Mulhall, Al (5 May 2016). "Caroline Flack and Gethin Jones get a new radio show". Digital Spy.
  39. Bourne, Dianne (3 May 2018). "Comedy Dave has Gemma Atkinson in stitches as new Hits hosts do lunch". men.
  40. Simon Reynolds (11 April 2008), Gethin Jones stars in 'Doctor Who', Digital Spy, retrieved 27 June 2008
  41. Beth Neil (8 December 2007), "Gethin to know you: Exclusive: Blue Peter star is now strictly sex", Daily Mirror; "Who's danced their way to the number 6 slot?", Heatworld.com, 28 December 2007, archived from the original on 31 January 2008, retrieved 19 January 2008
  42. Gethin Jones dances off Strictly, BBC News, 16 December 2007; Mark Jeffries (17 December 2007), "Gethin gets the boot", Daily Mirror; Kate Bodinger (17 December 2007), "Gethin misses out but dad proud", South Wales Echo; Lisa McGarry (17 December 2007), Gethin Jones leaves Strictly Come Dancing, Unreality TV: The UK and Ireland's Biggest Reality TV Blog!, archived from the original on 20 January 2008, retrieved 19 January 2008
  43. Celebrity dancers 2009, Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour!, Stage Entertainment & Phil McIntyre Entertainment in association with BBC Worldwide, 2009, archived from the original on 3 January 2009, retrieved 23 January 2009
  44. 2009 winners, Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour!, Stage Entertainment & Phil McIntyre Entertainment in association with BBC Worldwide, February 2009, archived from the original on 9 March 2009, retrieved 24 April 2009
  45. "INTERVIEW: Gethin Jones likes his horror Rocky". Northwaleschronicle.co.uk. 17 August 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  46. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  47. Darvill, Josh (28 June 2020). "Celebrity MasterChef 2020 line up of celebrity contestants revealed". TellyMix. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  48. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nxkq
  49. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/bbc-one-morning-live
  50. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/morning-live-to-return-to-bbc-one-for-second-series-39876692.html
  51. See the Ultimate Hottie, Sky Showbiz, 6 November 2008, archived from the original on 10 December 2008, retrieved 17 November 2008
  52. "Katherine Jenkins dating Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones", South Wales Evening Post, 8 December 2007; Catherine Evans (9 December 2007), "Katherine and Gethin's first meeting", Wales on Sunday (reproduced on icWales.co.uk); Emma Pengelly (13 December 2007), "Romance for Neath's golden girl and Blue Peter heartthrob Gethin", Neath Guardian; Hannah Jones (17 December 2007), "Katherine and Gethin are Welsh golden couple", Western Mail (reproduced on icWales.co.uk)
  53. Steffan Rhys (8 December 2007), "Katherine Jenkins and Gethin Jones dating", Western Mail (reproduced on icWales.co.uk)
  54. Ben Glaze (8 December 2007), "New Welsh celebrity couple are an item", South Wales Echo (reproduced on icWales.co.uk)
  55. "Jenkins and Jones announce split". BBC News. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
Preceded by
Simon Thomas		 Blue Peter Presenter No. 31
2005–2008		 Succeeded by
Joel Defries

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