Janet Ellis
From Free net encyclopedia
Janet Ellis (born September 16 1955) appeared on BBC Children's television during the 1980s. She is best remembered for presenting Blue Peter for four years (April 28 1983 - June 20 1987), and for presenting the award-winning children's programme Jigsaw.
In her time at Blue Peter she presented with Simon Groom, Peter Duncan, Sarah Greene, Michael Sundin, Mark Curry and Caron Keating.
When Ellis left Blue Peter to have her second child, there were rumours she had been sacked since she wasn't married to the father. However the truth is that she decided to leave upon falling pregnant. Also, contrary to public belief, the child in question wasn't Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who was born some years earlier and had even appeared with her mother on the show.
Her big break was appearing in the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who, as Tika in The Horns Of Nimon in 1979 (though her first TV appearance had been a bit part in The Sweeney). She presented Open Air for the BBC, and has since presented a huge range of programmes on topics such as gardens, cars, holidays, cookery and childcare. She is a frequent contributor to children's charity Scene & Heard.
She is the author of How To Get Married Without Divorcing Your Family with Caron Keating, and currently (2005-) presents "The Great Garden Challenge" for Channel 4.
She is the mother of pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.