Latest news with #CBBC
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Where The Broom Cupboard's Andy Crane is now and unrecognisable new look
TV presenter Andy Crane rose to fame when he first appeared on CBBC children's show The Broom Cupboard in 1986. Despite leaving TV, he is still enjoying a sucessful career in the public eye Popular presenter Andy Crane is best known for his debut on children's TV programme The Broom Cupboard which is 39 years old - but what is the TV personality doing now? Andy, now 61, has been brightening up people's days on Greatest Hits Radio since 2019 and he looks very different from his Broom Cupboard days. He first appeared on TV in 1986, taking over from Phillip Schofield on BBC's Broom. The show, which helped launch the careers of Andi Peters, Toby Anstis and Zoe Ball, featured stars in a control desk room as the presenters introduced the programs. The 61-year-old, who was one of the most memorable presenters on show, was just 29 at the time and worked alongside puppet Gordon, who went on to join him on Going Live! the next year. He continued with Broom until 1990 and then featured on major music show Top of the Pops. He was also the face of Bad Influence! and Violet Berlin in the 90s. READ MORE: This Morning star Lisa Snowdon's shock facelift confession - 'I love tweakments!' But his impressive career didn't stop there. Andy also presented children's show, Motormouth, for ITV on Saturdays. He also featured on What's Up Doc? and Challenge TV. The star was also a news presenter for Channel M in Manchester. He is now residing in the picturesque location of Lake District, reports Rayo. Before joining Greatest Hits Radio in 2019, Andy presented for Radio Manchester where he started off as a tea boy. Speaking about how he got the role, he said: "I wrote to Piccadilly Radio in Manchester when I was living in the USA – they wrote back! Started there as a tea boy in 1981 and did my first show in 1983 which means I've now been doing this for 35 years." Andy, who was born in the seaside town of Morecambe, Lancashire, presents three hours of the best songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s on Greatest Hits Radio, including The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon. Luckily for his fans, he also appears on radiowaves on weekday afternoons - featuring the most groovy disco tunes for Greatest Hits Radio 70s. He says his listeners will hear: "Great music naturally and plenty of laughing." Earlier this year, the presenter revealed what he loves about his job the most: "Being invited into people's homes, cars, bedrooms and bathrooms."
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Brazil triples rare earth exports to China as Washington-Beijing rift ripples through trade
Brazil's rare earth exports to China tripled in the first half of 2025 just as Chinese imports surged to a record high, fuelling concerns that Beijing-Washington trade tensions may be quietlyreroutingg the world's supply chains through emerging economies. The figures are part of a report released on Thursday by the China-Brazil Business Council (CBBC) that shows Brazil's exports to China fell 7.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, reaching US$47.7 billion. Imports from China rose 22 per cent to US$35.7 billion. As a result, Brazil's trade surplus with China narrowed to US$12 billion. It was the lowest since 2019 and half the total recorded in 2024. Rare earth compound exports reached US$6.7 million, a threefold increase over the first half of 2024. While small in absolute terms, analysts see the growth as a sign of China's bid to diversify its access to strategic minerals. Tulio Cariello, research director at CBBC and the report's author, said the shifting numbers reflected not only China's evolving industrial policy but also the ripple effects of global trade tensions. 'As the United States and China harden their trade barriers, Brazil ends up absorbing part of that shock,' he said.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Blue Peter makes history by hiring non-human presenter for the very first time
The BBC's children's show has been on air since 1958 but has made history again with the announcement that canine comedian Hacker T Dog will join the line up. Blue Peter has made history by hiring a non-human presenter. The flagship children's programme is one of the longest-running shows in the world but for the first time in its 67-year history, bosses have opted for a completely different kind of personality to helm the show. acker T Dog, a resident CBBC puppet, will now be part of the on-air team alongside Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney, Shini Muthukrishnan and Henry the Blue Peter pet dog. The puppet was initially voiced by Andy Heath when he made his debut on the children's network in 2009 as part of the TV show Scoop before Phil Fletcher took over a few months later, and has been a mainstay on-screen ever since. Over the years, the puppet has undertaken general hosting duties on the channel and even featured as a guest presenter on Blue Peter in the past. Announcing the news of his full-time position on the programme, he said: 'It's dead exciting! Thank you for letting me aboard the mighty ship Blue Peter. I am privileged, nay proud, to be involved in this fine institution and top-notch show. That's right folks, it's me Hacker The Dog, national treasure, and new Blue Peter presenter.' Hacker, who also featured in his own show Hacker Time from 2011 until 2016, is the 44th presenter to land a coveted spot on the prestigious programme. Puppeteer Phil also spoke of how he grew up with Blue Peter and is "thrilled" to join the team. Hacker has so far taken part in festive specials for Blue Peter, Red Nose Day and Children in Need shows, and also presented several 'Here's One I Made Earlier' craft segments. The puppet has also interviewed huge celebrities for the station, having spoken to the likes of Little Mix, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Jack Black and John Cena amongst a host of others over the years. In the very early days of the programme, it was fronted by Christopher Trace and Leila Williams before John Noakes established himself as the longest-serving presenter with a 12-year stint throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Janet Ellis, mother of pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor, was also a notable member of the on air-team in its early decades, having fronted the at the end of the 1970s and on into the 1980s. In later years, the series made a star out of Konnie Huq when she became the longest-serving female presenter over a period of nine years from 1997 until 2008. TV favourite Helen Skelton appeared on the famous desk shortly after making her debut on CBBC show Newsround and then went on to host Countryfile in the years before she competed on Strictly Come Dancing. Hacker will join current presenters in the new look Blue Peter studio from Friday 5 September. To mark his debut as presenter number 44, Hacker will take viewers on a special tour of his hometown, Wigan, highlighting its most iconic spots. Sarah Muller, BBC Senior Head of Children's Commissioning +7, said: 'Audiences already love Hacker's guest appearances on Blue Peter, and now he's officially joining the team this September as we unveil the show's fresh new look. Viewers can expect plenty of mischief from the one-and-only Hacker T Dog.' Blue Peter airs on CBBC, BBC Two, Sign Zone and BBC iPlayer.
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Hacker T Dog announced as new Blue Peter presenter
Hacker T Dog has been a CBBC favourite for more than 16 years and has previously appeared as a guest presenter on Blue Peter. From September, he will become a regular presence in the studio on the world's longest-running children's TV show. Hacker T Dog said: 'It's dead exciting. 'Thank you for letting me aboard the mighty ship Blue Peter. 'I am privileged, nay proud, to be involved in this fine institution and top-notch show. 'That's right folks, it's me Hacker The Dog, national treasure, and new Blue Peter presenter.' The BBC's senior head of children's commissioning for seven plus, Sarah Muller, said: 'Audiences already love Hacker's guest appearances on Blue Peter, and now he's officially joining the team this September as we unveil the show's fresh new look. 'Viewers can expect plenty of mischief from the one-and-only Hacker T Dog.' Hacker T Dog – with the help of puppeteer Phil Fletcher – will join current presenters Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney, Abby Cook, and Henry the dog in the Blue Peter studio from September 5. To mark his debut as the show's 44th presenter, Hacker T Dog will take viewers on a special tour of his home town, Wigan, highlighting its most important spots. Blue Peter will also be revealing a new look and format as it shifts to Campfield Facilities at Versa Studios in Manchester, while it has decided to stop future live episodes 'as viewing habits change'. The Blue Peter Garden in Media City, and the garden at RHS Bridgewater, will continue to be used for filming, and remain part of the Blue Peter output. The first ever episode was shown on October 16 1958, and the show became known for its intrepid presenters and characterful pets. During its more than 60-year history, the series has presented Blue Peter Badges to the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as actors Olivia Colman and David Tennant. Blue Peter airs on CBBC, BBC Two, Sign Zone and BBC iPlayer.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Hacker T Dog announced as new Blue Peter presenter
Hacker T Dog has been a CBBC favourite for more than 16 years and has previously appeared as a guest presenter on Blue Peter. From September, he will become a regular presence in the studio on the world's longest-running children's TV show. Hacker T Dog said: 'It's dead exciting. 'Thank you for letting me aboard the mighty ship Blue Peter. 'I am privileged, nay proud, to be involved in this fine institution and top-notch show. 'That's right folks, it's me Hacker The Dog, national treasure, and new Blue Peter presenter.' The BBC's senior head of children's commissioning for seven plus, Sarah Muller, said: 'Audiences already love Hacker's guest appearances on Blue Peter, and now he's officially joining the team this September as we unveil the show's fresh new look. 'Viewers can expect plenty of mischief from the one-and-only Hacker T Dog.' Hacker T Dog – with the help of puppeteer Phil Fletcher – will join current presenters Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney, Abby Cook, and Henry the dog in the Blue Peter studio from September 5. To mark his debut as the show's 44th presenter, Hacker T Dog will take viewers on a special tour of his home town, Wigan, highlighting its most important spots. Blue Peter will also be revealing a new look and format as it shifts to Campfield Facilities at Versa Studios in Manchester, while it has decided to stop future live episodes 'as viewing habits change'. The Blue Peter Garden in Media City, and the garden at RHS Bridgewater, will continue to be used for filming, and remain part of the Blue Peter output. The first ever episode was shown on October 16 1958, and the show became known for its intrepid presenters and characterful pets. During its more than 60-year history, the series has presented Blue Peter Badges to the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as actors Olivia Colman and David Tennant. Blue Peter airs on CBBC, BBC Two, Sign Zone and BBC iPlayer.
