A 20-year-old YouTube prankster who already rakes in £100,000-a-year and dyed his dog blue has been named as the 40th Blue Peter presenter, in the BBC’s latest bid to freshen up the 62-year-old children’s programme.
Adam Beales – who has nearly three million viewers already on his Adam B feed – has been brought in by the BBC in a bid to freshen up the children’s TV show.
Beales, 20, who bought his parents their £165,000 house, will be officially unveiled on Thursday alongside the current line-up of Lindsey Russell, Richie Driss, Mwaka Mudenda and Henry the dog.
Sharing the news on his channel Adam B wasted no time in promoting his merchandise.
In a video titled ‘I’m moving out.. *not a prank*, he opens: ‘Guys, by now you would have seen the announcement and, I can’t believe I’m saying this. I am the 40th Blue Peter presenter, I don’t know what to think.
‘You might have seen as well I have new merch coming out this Friday so go get your merch, there’s a 40 on the back, AdamB on the front. I have hoodies, masks and t shirts.’
Moments later, he tells his 2.9million subscribers that his Blue Peter debut will come this Thursday, but confirms he will still be making YouTube videos.
After speaking about the change with his family, Beales films himself getting in his Tesla, which he dubs ‘Mr T,’ before showing off his new Manchester apartment.
Adam Beales, 20, is the new Blue Peter presenter and has a history in broadcast from YouTube
Joined by his little brother and parents in the £165,000 house he recently bought for his family, Beales says: ‘It feels so weird to actually say it out loud. We’ve kept this secret for so long, I’ve kept this secret since February.
‘BBC first got in touch around December last year, just before Christmas, asking if I would be interested in maybe auditioning for a presenter role in Blue Peter.
‘Of course I said yes, I did the screen test when I flew back from San Francisco.
‘I did the screen test in Manchester and I was completely jet lagged in the screen test. I thought I was terrible, but yeah, I guess they liked me.
‘Around three weeks later I got word that I got the job, another fun fact, I got the call that I got the job whenever I was doing one of the last viewings of this house.
‘I had to keep it secret, my grandparents didn’t even know. I’ve finally been able to tell them, I’ve finally been able to tell you guys. It feels so good to let it out.’
Beales then addressed whether he will be continuing to post videos on YouTube.
He said: ‘The simple answer is no. I’m not stopping YouTube if anything this is going to give me even more ideas for YouTube, more challenge ideas.
‘I’ve already done my first Blue Peter challenge, I can’t believe I’m saying this.’
He adds: ‘The pranks aren’t stopping yet.’
Joined by his family in a £165,000 house he recently purchased for them, Adam B shared the news with his 2.9million subscribers on Tuesday evening
Adam then leaves his home in Londonderry in his Tesla, nicknamed Mr T, before heading off to Manchester
The 20-year-old showed off moments from his Blue Peter promotion shoot, as well as a glimpse inside his new Manchester apartment
After revealing he will be spending half of his week at a Manchester apartment and half at home with his family, Beales films himself leaving as his mum cries.
Sitting in the luxury car, the young talent says: ‘It’s probably tears of happiness, she’s probably like “yes, he’s out of the house finally, I never thought this day was going to come”.’
He recently revealed fans’ parents had been ‘creeping him out’ after publishing his address online and planning to visit him.
And Companies House public documents already show his star power, with his most recent accounts showing his YouTube firm’s current assets rose £113,080 in just one year.
Londonderry-born Beales follows in the footsteps of fellow Northern Irish presenters the late Caron Keating and, more recently, Zoe Salmon.
He said: “I’m super excited to become Blue Peter Presenter number 40. I am humbled and ecstatic to be part of such a legendary production.
“It’s kind of weird – in a super exciting way – that the show I once watched when I was younger, is now the show I will be presenting along with the talented Lindsey, Richie, Mwaksy and of course, Henry.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in, even with the challenges they throw at me, though I am hoping none of them involve cheese – I hate cheese!”
Beales is a regular face on CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework, hosted by Love Island narrator Iain Stirling.
He was head boy at school and was considering Oxford or Cambridge universities before his YouTube channel took off, which now has nearly three million subscribers.
His mother, father and younger brother, 11-year-old Callum, often feature in his videos, which include pranks, challenges, DIY crafts and life hacks.
One of his more memorable ones just last week appeared to be a hint at his new job, when he dyed his pet dog blue.
And in June this year he expressed concern about people turning up to his house unannounced.
He wrote on his Twitter page: ‘I’ve seen a Facebook thread going around with parents discussing where I live, what number house I live in, planning to go visit the house, when and where they’ve seen me outside the house.
‘If you come across anything like this online, please report it. It creeps me out.’
One of Beales’ social media posts saw him in a Tesla posing in an unusual outfit
Beales had publicly posted he was worried about people finding out where he lived
Beales dyed his dog blue just last month and other stunts saw him wear women’s clothes
Adam Beales with his family posted on his social media accounts online
Konnie Huq, Gethin Jones, Andy Akinwolere and Zoe Salmon were presented during its heyday
Beales’ first Blue Peter challenge will see him winched down a cliff face to complete a training exercise with the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team.
Show editor, Ellen Evans, said: “Adam really impressed us during his auditions, he’s a natural in front of the camera but he’s also very funny, incredibly warm, brilliant with kids and also perhaps a little bit mischievous which the Blue Peter audience will absolutely love.”
Head of BBC Children’s in house productions, Helen Bullough, said: “Throughout lockdown Blue Peter fans have been telling us how much they’ve enjoyed and appreciated the show’s unstinting commitment to engaging, inspiring and entertaining them and we can’t wait for presenter Number 40 to join us and get stuck in!
“Adam is playful, thoughtful and already popular with our audience, who I’m sure will give him the biggest ever Blue Peter welcome.”
Beales will make his Blue Peter debut on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5.30pm on Thursday.
The unlikely YouTube stars and the British big-hitters
The Pasta Grannies:
Food writer Vicky Bennison, 59, runs The Pasta Grannies, or nonnes, which started four years ago when she jetted to her second home in Italy from south London.
The Grannies, some in their nineties, want to preserve the traditional recipes and share them with the world as increasing numbers of young Italians opt for dried pasta and ready made sauce over making it from scratch.
They have more than 379,000 subscribers.
The Pasta Grannies features Italian women sharing traditional techniques with their viewers
The Korean Grandma:
Park Makrye, 72, has earned herself celebrity status in her home country for her hilarious videos, documenting her day-to-day life as a fashion-forward pensioner who is fighting off the risk of dementia daily.
Posting under the moniker Korea Grandma, she shares everything from her top make-up tips to her colourful adventures abroad.
She is now sitting pretty with 787,675 subscribers.
Park Makrye, 72, has earned herself celebrity status dispatching beauty tips as The Korean Grandma
Knitting Tips By Judy:
Judy Graham, who is now in her 80s, began online tutorials about knitting after complaining to her son it was a myth that older people did not know how to use technology.
Her lessons are short and simple, and attract an audience that spans the age range.
She has more than 50,000 subscribers.
Judy Graham, who is now in her 80s, began online tutorials about knitting after complaining to her son it was a myth that older people did not know how to use technology
And Britain’s top YouTube stars…
PewDiePie:
Felix Kjellberg, known as PewDiePie, is the world’s most successful YouTuber, with a spectacular 91,242,230 subscribers.
Both of his parents, Johanna and Ulf Kjellberg, are successful Chief Executives of their respective companies in Sweden, although he lives in Brighton.
His career has not been without controversy, however, and he has previously earned blacklash for including racist and antisemitic messages in his videos.
Felix Kjellberg, known as PewDiePie, is the world’s most successful YouTuber, with a spectacular 91,242,230 subscribers
Zoella:
Zoe Elizabeth Sugg, 28, goes by the YouTube name Zoella, and has made millions from her videos.
She is the older sister of Joe Sugg, who is also a YouTuber and internet personality known on YouTube as ThatcherJoe.
Her channel has more than 11,840,000 subscribers.
Zoella lives in a Brighton mansion with boyfriend and fellow YouTube star Alfie Deyes, pictured together. The couple frequently offer fans a look inside the property on social media
KSI:
KSI is a 25-year-old British gamer, comedy vlogger and rapper whose videos have 4.4billion views whose real name is Olajide William ‘JJ’ Olatunj recently fought Logan Paul, 23, in Manchester Arena.
KSI, which stands for knowledge, strength, integrity, first arrived on the YouTube scene in 2009 and won NME Award for Vlogger of the Year in 2016.
He has upwards of 20million subscribers.
KSI, which stands for knowledge, strength, integrity, first arrived on the YouTube scene in 2009 and won NME Award for Vlogger of the Year in 2016. He is seen on Good Morning Britain on March 20
Here’s some who presented earlier – the hosts of Blue Peter
1. Christopher Trace (October 1958 to July 1967)
2. Leila Williams (October 1958 to January 1962)
3. Anita West (May 1962 – September 1962)
4. Valerie Singleton (September 1962 – July 1972)
5. John Noakes (December 1965 – June 1978)
The Blue Peter presenters who came together for the 60th anniversary of the show. Number 1, Barney Harwood, 2011-2017. Number 2, Zoe Salmon, 2004-2008. Number 3, Konnie Huq, 1997-2008. Number 4, Stuart Miles, 1994-1999. Number 5, Lesley Judd, 1972-1979. Number 6, Tim Vincent, 1993-1997. Number 7, Sarah Greene, 1980-1983. Number 8, Romana D’Annunzio, 1996-1998. Number 9, Janet Ellis, 1982-1987. Number 10, Richard Bacon, 1997-1998. Number 11, Valerie Singleton, 1962-1972. Number 12, Peter Purves, 1967-1978. Number 13, Leila Williams, 1967-1978. Number 14, Simon Thomas, 1999-2005. Number 15, Radzi Chinyanganya, 2013-present. Number 16, Lindsey Russell, 2013-present. Number 17, Peter Duncan, 1985-1986. Number 18, John Leslie, 1989-1994. Number 19, Anthea Turner, 1992-1994. Number 20, Liz Barker, 2000-2006, Number 21, Diane-Louise Jordan, 1990-1996. Number 22, Joel Defries, 2008-2010. Number 23, Yvette Fielding, 1987-1992. Number 24, Ayo Akinwolere, 2006-2011. Number 25, Katy Hill, 1995-2000. Number 26, Anita West, 1961. Number 27, Helen Skelton
6. Peter Purves (November 1967 – March 1978)
7. Lesley Judd (May 1972 – April 1979)
8. Simon Groom (May 1978 – June 1986)
9. Christopher Wenner (September 1978 – June 1980)
10. Tine Heath (April 1979 – June 1980)
11. Sarah Greene (May 1980 – June 1983)
12. Peter Duncan (September 1980 – June 1984)
13. Janet Ellis (April 1983 – June 1987)
14. Michael Sundin (September 1984 – June 1985)
15. Mark Curry (June 1986 – June 1989)
16. Caron Keating (November 1986 – January 1990)
17. Yvette Fielding (June 1987 – June 1992)
18. John Leslie (April 1989 – January 1994)
19. Diane-Louise Jordan (January 1990 – February 1996)
20. Anthea Turner (September 1992 – June 1994)
Konnie Huq was the 26th presenter to join Blue Peter and spent 11 years on the show
21. Tim Vincent (December 1993 – January 1997)
22. Stuart Miles (June 1994 – June 1999)
23. Katy Hill (June 1995 – June 2000)
24. Romana D’Annunzio (March 1996 – February 1998)
25. Richard Bacon (February 1997 – October 1998)
26. Konnie Huq (December 1997 – January 2008)
27. Simon Thomas (January 1999 – April 2005)
28. Matt Baker (June 1999 – June 2006)
29. Liz Barker (June 2000 – April 2006)
30. Zoe Salmon (December 2004 – June 2008)
31. Gethin Jones (April 2005 – June 2008)
Before he joined the One Show, Matt Baker spent the early noughties on the Blue Peter sofa
32. Andy Akinwolere (June 2006 – June 2011)
33. Helen Skelton (September 2008 – September 2013)
34. Joel Defries (September 2008 – December 2010)
35. Barney Harwood – (January 2011 – September 2017)
36. Lindsey Russell (September 2013 – present)
37. Radzi Chinyanganya (October 2013 – April 2019)
38. Richie Driss (May 2019 – present)
39. Mwaksy Mudenda (May 2020 – present)
40. Adam B (September 2020)