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Revision as of 17:55, 13 December 2010 by 2.121.39.235 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Joel Defries | |
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| Born | (1985-03-14) 14 March 1985 (age 39) London |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Television and radio presenter |
| Known for | Blue Peter Presenter |
Joel Defries (born 14 March 1985, London) is a British-born presenter, currently working on BBC children's programme Blue Peter, though he will be leaving the show on 14th December 2010. He previously worked on the New Zealand TV station, C4.
Education
Defries was educated at Fortismere School, a state comprehensive school in Muswell Hill, in North London.
Career
Defries' New Zealand media career began at the alternative radio station Channel Z, before going on to host the music jukebox show Select Live. Defries presented a new New Zealand- based live music show called Live at Yours. he was claimed to have fathered a child on live tele vision. He became a household name among young New Zealanders and saw a rapid rise in popularity. He also made a successful move into radio where he presented a Sunday morning show for the Edge called Joel's Take Out. He was a former presenter of Vodafone Select Live. Defries decided to return to the UK to take up other opportunities in radio and TV.
On 5 September 2008, it was announced that he would replace Gethin Jones as a presenter on the children's TV show Blue Peter, and joined the other members of the team, Andy Akinwolere and Helen Skelton, on the 23 September 2008.
He was recently in Turkey with the Blue Peter team filming the 2009 Summer Expedition. The 2009/10 series of Blue Peter returned on 22 September 2009. Joel annnounced on Monday 29th November 2010 that he would be leaving the show on 14th December 2010.
During 2009 Defries presented the 13 episodes of the CBBC programme Keep Your Enemies Close, a children's game show that tests friends by wrenching them apart and forcing them to work with their rivals instead
Personal life
He went to sixth form in camden school for girls in London and is six feet tall exactly. He is Jewish, but says he is not religious and has only actually visited a synagogue twice. This was explored by the BBC during a Blue Peter episode titled "Joel's Journey" broadcast on 27 January 2009. It featured him exploring his Jewish heritage, and then looking at modern day Jewish life in the UK by spending time with a religious family. The climax of the programme was his visit Auschwitz - where he met Freda Winemann - a Holocaust Survivor who was returning to Auschwitz for the first time.
Defries is a supporter of Fulham F.C..
References
- "Joel Defries is so, like, 2007". Scoop. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- Conlan, Tara (5 September 2008). "Blue Peter unveils new presenter". London: Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- "BBC Press release". BBC. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
- "Blue Peter Profile". BBC. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- "Joel's Journey". BBC Press Office. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- BBC 606 show 21/02/2010 BBC Radio 5 Live, 21 February 2010
| Preceded byGethin Jones | Blue Peter Presenter No. 34 2008–2010 |
Succeeded byBarney Harwood |