Janet Ellis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Janet Ellis MBE
Ellis at the 2024 Chiswick Book Festival
Born	(1955-09-16) 16 September 1955 (age 69) Chatham, Kent, England
Alma mater	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Occupation	TV presenter actress writer
Years active	1978–present
Known for	Blue Peter and Jigsaw presenter
Spouse(s)	Robin Bextor ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 1984)​ John Leach ​ ​ (m. 1988; died 2020)​
Children	3, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Janet Ellis is a well-known English television presenter, actress, and writer. She was born on September 16, 1955. Many people know her best from presenting popular children's TV shows. These include Blue Peter and Jigsaw. She worked on these shows between 1979 and 1987.

Janet Ellis has also written two novels. They are called The Butcher's Hook (2016) and How It Was (2019). She has three children. One of her children is the famous singer and songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Early Life and Education

Janet Ellis was born in Chatham, Kent, England. Her father was a soldier. Because of his job, her family moved often. She lived in different places in Britain and Germany.

Janet went to seven different schools as a child. She always wanted to be an actress. At age five, she knew this was her dream. She was accepted into the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Before starting, she worked backstage at a theatre. This helped her gain experience in the acting world.

Her Television Career

Starting in TV: 1978–1987

Janet Ellis first appeared on TV in 1978. She had a small part in a BBC children's show. It was called Jackanory Playhouse. Soon after, she got a bigger role.

In 1979, she became a regular presenter on Jigsaw. This show was produced by Clive Doig. That same year, she played a character named Teka. This was in a Doctor Who story called The Horns of Nimon.

After four series of Jigsaw, Janet joined Blue Peter. Her first show was on April 28, 1983. She worked with many other presenters. These included Simon Groom and Sarah Greene. During her time on Blue Peter, she did something amazing. She became the first civilian woman in Europe to free fall from 20,000 feet (about 6,100 meters). She even broke her leg during the training! Her last Blue Peter show was on June 29, 1987.

After Blue Peter: 1988–1999

After leaving Blue Peter, Janet spent more time with her family. She still did some TV work. She presented the BBC's Open Air program. She also wrote a book with her friend Caron Keating. It was called How to Get Married Without Divorcing Your Family.

Janet also did voiceovers for many advertisements. For three years, she presented the Daz Challenge in TV ads. She sometimes appeared on Danny Baker's BBC Radio 1 show.

Returning to the Screen: 2000–2013

Janet Ellis returned to TV in 2000. She played a TV reporter in Waking the Dead in 2001. From 2002, she was a regular guest on The Wright Stuff on Channel 5. She also appeared on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House.

Between 2003 and 2005, she presented Housebusters on Five. She also hosted Life Blood in 2004. In 2005, she presented The Great Garden Challenge for Channel 4.

In 2007, Janet appeared on a singing show. It was called Just the Two of Us. She sang with Alexander O'Neal. She was the second celebrity to be eliminated. She showed great humor about it.

In June 2008, she won The Weakest Link. This was a special Blue Peter celebrity charity episode. She won £13,150 for Maggie's Centres. This is a charity that helps people with cancer.

In December 2009, Janet narrated a BBC documentary. It was about Kit Williams. She also voiced many Mexican gerbils in El Nombre. She appeared on Antiques Road Trip with her daughter Sophie. She also appeared on Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic.

In December 2010, Janet and Sophie were on The Million Pound Drop Live. Janet also won a celebrity Christmas special of Come Dine with Me. She donated her £1,000 prize to charity.

In January 2012, Janet returned to acting. She starred in a play called Green Forms. This was to raise money for Maggie's Centres.

Writing and Recent Work: 2014 – present

Janet Ellis always wanted to write fiction. In 2014, she took a writing course. There, she started writing her first novel. It was called The Butcher's Hook. It was published in February 2016. She was named one of the "New Faces of Fiction 2016".

In 2018, Janet wrote an article for The Guardian newspaper. She said Blue Peter showed "a world worth growing up in". She also appeared in a play. It was called "Once Seen on Blue Peter". Her second novel, "How It Was", came out in August 2019.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Janet Ellis married Robin Bextor in 1977. Their daughter, Sophie, was born in 1979. Janet later married John Leach in 1988. They had a son and a daughter together. John Leach passed away in 2020.

Janet is very involved in charity work. She is a board member of the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. She is also a patron of Maggie's Centres. This charity supports people with cancer. She is also a patron of Humanists UK. She is an honorary member of the National Youth Theatre.

In 2016, Janet Ellis was given an important award. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This was for her work in charity and theatre.