Sarah Greene facts for kids

Elizabeth Sarah Greene, born on October 24, 1957, is a well-known English television presenter. She became famous for co-presenting the popular children's show Blue Peter from 1980 to 1983. She also hosted other Saturday morning shows like Saturday Superstore and Going Live!.

Early Life and Education

Sarah Greene was born in London. Her father, Harry Greene, was a DIY expert on TV, and her mother, Marjie Lawrence, was an actress. Sarah is the older sister of another presenter, Laura Greene.

She went to Gospel Oak Primary School and Grey Coat Hospital School in London. Even as a child, she took on acting roles. Later, she studied Drama at the University of Hull. After graduating, she looked for acting jobs in cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and London.

Television Career Highlights

Starting on Blue Peter

In January 1980, Sarah Greene had a role in a TV drama called Together. Soon after, she appeared in a BBC show called The Swish of the Curtain. The editor of Blue Peter, Biddy Baxter, saw her and asked her to join the show. Sarah became the youngest Blue Peter presenter at 22 years old. Within two weeks, she was already filming for the show in Cornwall. During her three years on Blue Peter, the program won a BAFTA Award.

Saturday Morning Shows and More

After Blue Peter, Sarah Greene presented Saturday Superstore with Mike Read. Later, she co-presented Going Live! with Phillip Schofield. While on Going Live!, she won the 'Best Female on TV' SOS Award for three years in a row. She also appeared in commercials for Nescafé coffee. After that, she hosted Collectors' Lot, an antiques show on Channel 4.

A Difficult Time and Return to TV

On September 10, 1988, Sarah Greene and her partner, Mike Smith, who was also a TV and radio presenter, were seriously injured in a helicopter accident in Gloucestershire. They spent several weeks in the hospital. Sarah bravely returned to present Going Live! even while she was still wearing a cast.

Acting and Other Programs

Besides presenting, Sarah Greene also acted in several TV shows. She appeared in Doctor Who (in an episode called Attack of the Cybermen), Casualty, Brookside, and French & Saunders. She also presented magazine shows like the BBC's Pebble Mill and Good Morning Summer.

In 1992, Sarah and Mike Smith co-presented a spooky TV show called Ghostwatch. In 1993, she hosted a game show on BBC One called Happy Families. Sarah and Mike even appeared in a movie called The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997) with Bill Murray. They played TV presenters in the film.

Later Career and Recent Appearances

From 1996, Sarah Greene worked with the Carlton Food Network for four years, hosting a daily show. She also appeared on Have I Been Here Before? and was a regular presenter on This Morning. She presented Weddings Live for the Discovery Home & Health channel from 2005 to 2007.

In 2008, Sarah competed on ITV's Dancing on Ice with her skating partner, Fred Palascak. In December 2012, Sarah and her husband, Mike Smith, appeared on the game show Pointless on BBC One. Mike Smith sadly passed away on August 1, 2014, after heart surgery.

In April 2017, Sarah Greene returned to This Morning as a guest presenter alongside Phillip Schofield. She came back to guest-present several more times that year. In 2023, Sarah co-presented a BBC One quiz show called The Finish Line with Roman Kemp.

Charity Work

In 2012, Sarah Greene became an ambassador for Target Ovarian Cancer. This charity helps people affected by ovarian cancer.

Flying TV Ltd.

Since 1985, Sarah Greene and her husband Mike Smith were directors of a company called Flying TV Ltd. This company creates aviation videos and uses helicopters based at Denham Aerodrome. After Mike Smith's passing, Sarah Greene has continued to be a director of the company.