Valerie Singleton facts for kids

Valerie Singleton OBE (born 9 April 1937) is a famous English television and radio presenter. She is best known for being a regular presenter on the popular children's TV show Blue Peter from 1962 to 1972. Valerie also presented the BBC Radio 4 PM programme for ten years. She hosted many other radio and TV shows, including The Money Programme on BBC from 1980 to 1988.

Early Life and Beginnings

Valerie Singleton was born on 9 April 1937 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. Her father was Dennis Singleton and her mother was Eileen Singleton. Valerie loved dancing and studied at the Arts Educational School in London. When she was twelve, she danced in a show called Cinderella.

Later, she danced in Aladdin and was a young singer for the Ovaltineys. Valerie then spent two years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a famous acting school. She started her acting career at the New Theatre in Bromley.

Valerie Singleton's Career Journey

Starting in Acting and Presenting

Valerie Singleton spent several years acting in plays and TV shows. In 1959, she appeared in a BBC TV comedy called The Adventures of Brigadier Wellington-Bull. She began presenting on BBC Radio in 1963 with a show called On the Sunny Side of the Street. She also worked as a reporter for BBC2's Time Out in 1964. Valerie also did voice-overs for TV commercials and hosted a cartoon show called Arnold Doodle Show on ITV.

Time on Blue Peter

Valerie joined the BBC in 1961 as a TV announcer. On 3 September 1962, she became a presenter on Blue Peter, a very popular children's show. She stayed on the show as a regular presenter until 3 July 1972.

In 1971, Valerie traveled to Kenya with Princess Anne for a film called Blue Peter Royal Safari. This trip was for the Save the Children Fund. Years later, in 1998, Valerie and Princess Anne met again to talk about their safari for Blue Peter's 40th anniversary.

The Blue Peter Royal Safari film led to a spin-off series called Blue Peter Special Assignments. Valerie was the only presenter for this show, which ran from 1973 to 1981. She visited European cities, islands, and homes of famous historical figures. Valerie continued to be involved with Blue Peter for many years, even returning for anniversary shows in 1978 and 1983.

While on Blue Peter, Valerie also hosted another children's show called Val Meets The VIPs. This was a chat show where children could ask questions to famous people. One guest in 1973 was Margaret Thatcher, who later became Prime Minister.

Later Work in Television and Radio

After Blue Peter, Valerie Singleton joined Nationwide in 1973, where she reported on consumer issues. She later became one of the main hosts of the show. In 1978, she moved to present the BBC's late-night news program Tonight.

From 1980 to 1988, Valerie presented BBC2's The Money Programme, which focused on financial topics. She also hosted the BBC Radio 4 PM programme for ten years, starting in 1982.

After leaving PM in 1993, Valerie presented a travel show for ITV and wrote travel articles. In 1994, she received an award called the OBE for her great work in children's television.

In the 1990s, Valerie hosted a quiz show called Backdate on Channel 4. She also presented Playback for the History Channel, where she talked to famous people about important events in their lives. In 2019, she appeared in Can I Improve My Memory? for Channel 4.

Valerie Singleton was also featured on This Is Your Life in 2001, a show that celebrates famous people's lives. In 1974, she was a guest on the radio show Desert Island Discs.

Personal Life

Valerie Singleton has never married. As of 2020, she was living in Templecombe, Somerset.

Images for kids

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  Plaque commemorating Singleton's opening of Priory Country Park