Joel Defries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joel Defries
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Joel Defries in 2007
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| Born | 14 March 1985 Hammersmith, London, England
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| Occupation | Television and radio presenter |
| Known for | Blue Peter presenter |
Joel Nirmalan Defries (born on 14 March 1985) is a British TV and radio presenter. He is famous for hosting the popular children's show Blue Peter on BBC One. He was a presenter on Blue Peter from 2008 to 2010. Before joining Blue Peter, Joel worked on a TV station in New Zealand called C4.
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Joel's Career Journey
Joel Defries was born in Hammersmith, London. His career in New Zealand media began at a radio station called Channel Z. After that, he hosted a music show called Select Live. Joel also presented a live music show in New Zealand called Live at Yours. He became very well-known among young people in New Zealand.
He also had a successful radio show called Joel's Take Out. Joel decided to come back to the UK. He wanted to find new opportunities in TV and radio there.
Joining Blue Peter
On 5 September 2008, it was announced that Joel would join Blue Peter. He took the place of another presenter, Gethin Jones. Joel started on the show on 23 September 2008. He joined the team with Andy Akinwolere and Helen Skelton.
Joel went to Turkey with the Blue Peter team in 2009. They filmed a special summer expedition there. The new series of Blue Peter started on 22 September 2009. Joel announced on 29 November 2010 that he would leave the show. His last day was 14 December 2010.
Adventures and Challenges
In 2010, Joel learned to fly a hang glider for Blue Peter. He learned with an instructor named Judy Leden MBE. His goal was to fly with a peregrine falcon named Lucy.
During 2009, Joel also presented a CBBC game show called Keep Your Enemies Close. This show had 26 episodes. It tested friends by making them work with their rivals instead.
Joel's Personal Life
Joel went to sixth form at Camden School for Girls in London. He is exactly six feet tall. Joel is Jewish, but he has said he is not very religious. He has only visited a synagogue twice.
Exploring Heritage
The BBC explored Joel's Jewish heritage in a Blue Peter episode. It was called "Joel's Journey" and aired on 27 January 2009. In the show, he explored his background. He also spent time with a religious family to learn about modern Jewish life in the UK. The episode ended with his visit to Auschwitz. There, he met Freda Winemann, a Holocaust survivor. She was returning to Auschwitz for the first time.
Joel Defries is a big fan of Fulham F.C., a football club.
