Liz Barker facts for kids

Elizabeth Jane Barker (born 16 May 1975) is an English television presenter. She is most famous for her work on the children's TV show Blue Peter from 2000 to 2006.

Early Life and Education

Liz Barker was born in Cambridge, England. She grew up in a village nearby called Oakington. Liz went to Impington Village College.

After school, she studied philosophy at the University of Southampton. Later, she started working in TV production. She became a researcher and then a sports presenter for a show called Backstage on BBC Choice.

Career Highlights

Joining Blue Peter

On 23 June 2000, Liz Barker joined the popular children's TV show Blue Peter. She stayed on the programme for six years. During this time, she had many exciting adventures.

Adventures Around the World

Liz travelled to many countries for Blue Peter. She visited Vietnam, Morocco, Brazil, Austria, Greece, India, and the U.S.. Her adventures included flying upside down in a jet. She also tried lawn mower racing and paragliding. Liz even walked a circus high-wire! She once cleaned windows at London's tall Canary Wharf tower.

She won a bronze medal in a two-person bobsleigh race. Liz also trained to be a Childline counsellor for a charity appeal. She even held a Guinness World Record for putting on a duvet cover very quickly!

Meeting Famous People

Liz interviewed many famous people. These included football star David Beckham. She also spoke with author Quentin Blake and singer Elton John. She gave Elton John a special Gold Blue Peter badge in Las Vegas. Liz even raced former Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton in go-karts.

She met the Queen at BBC Television Centre. Her colleague Simon Thomas gave the Queen a Gold Blue Peter badge there.

Acting and Special Shows

Liz played different historical figures in Blue Peter films. She acted as Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Beatrix Potter. She also starred in the show's BBC Christmas specials. These included 'Rock & Roll Christmas' (2001) and 'Christmas At The Club Blue Peter' (2002). She also appeared in 'Totally Blue Peter' (2005) and the mini-series 'The Quest'.

Liz presented the Children's Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. She also hosted the Blue Peter summer roadshows. And she was part of the Queen's Jubilee Concert.

Award-Winning Work

In 2003, Liz won an award for her film about Auschwitz. This film was made for Holocaust Memorial Day. She worked with a survivor named Kitty Hart-Moxon. The film won in the Children & Youth category at the CRE Race in the Media Awards.

Family and Farewell to Blue Peter

On 25 May 2004, Liz announced she was expecting her first child. Her son, Dexter Jack Barker Todd, was born on 4 December 2004. Dexter appeared on Blue Peter many times. He was on the show at just 13 days old and on his first birthday.

Liz was the first presenter to return to Blue Peter after having a baby. But on 23 January 2006, she told viewers she would leave the show at Easter. She wanted to move away from London to spend more time with her family. Zöe Salmon replaced her.

During her time on Blue Peter, Liz presented with Konnie Huq, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker, Zöe Salmon, and Gethin Jones.

On 11 April 2006, Liz left the programme. Her last show was a special 'This Is Your Life'-style episode. It featured former presenters, family, and friends. She also announced she would co-present a new CBBC show called Totally Doctor Who.

In 2006, Liz announced she was expecting another baby. Her daughter, Poppy, was born on 20 February 2007. She later had two more sons, Rocco (born 2011) and Gus (born 2013).

Life After Blue Peter

After leaving TV, Liz worked as a cake decorator for her family's bakery. She also co-hosted a weekly radio show for six years on Cambridge 105. Liz was the voice of Buzz in the Sony PlayStation game Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party. She also did voiceovers for the NMG Awards and presented the Virgin Fiver Awards.

In 2019, she acted in a play called Sink or Swim. Liz continues to act in stage and radio plays. In 2024, she played the main female role in the film Harvey Greenfield Is Running Late. This film was shown at the Dublin Comedy Festival.

Liz also started her own vintage interiors business called YellowSeven Vintage Interiors. She also helped create a School Sport Psychology package for primary schools. This included videos to help children succeed in PE lessons.

In 2022, Liz took part in a 47-mile Kayak challenge. She paddled from Cambridge to King's Lynn. She raised £15,000 for two charities, Cambridge Women's Aid and Camfed.

In 2024, she published her first poetry book, 'Sweet Fanny Adams'. She is also launching a new podcast series called 'This House'. It will feature interviews with people who own interesting homes.

Filmography