Gethin Jones has gone Radio Ga Ga!

Apr 27 2008 by Victoria Richards, Wales On Sunday

BLUE Peter hunk Gethin Jones has announced he is to join BBC Radio Five Live to present a new Saturday morning show.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, who won hearts when he two-stepped right through to the semi final, will front the imaginatively-titled Gethin Jones Show this July, when he’ll be taking a look at what’s happening in the world of sport, music and culture over the summer.

And the 30-year-old heart-throb will be speaking from experience, having once played rugby for Lancashire, trying out for Premiership club Sale, qualifying as a pilot and flying with the Red Arrows.

Cardiff-born Jones, who sought solace in the arms of his Welsh singing girlfriend Katherine Jenkins after being kicked off the BBC One celebrity dance competition in December, will make his debut as a radio star just one week after leaving the Blue Peter studio.

And TV he-man Gethin is no stranger to hard work, being the first civilian to complete a 30-mile “yomp” with the Royal Marine Commandos, so he’s eager to get stuck in.

“Joining Radio 5 Live with my own show is fantastic and I can’t wait to get started,” he told The Roast.

“I relish a challenge and my first venture into radio will be just that.”

Despite starting his career on television, the former S4C presenter – who also has a sensitive side and a Grade Eight violin certificate – says he has often thought about taking over the airwaves.

He said: “I’ve always loved the station and look forward to bringing my own flavour to Saturday mornings.”

What with this latest development and his triumph presenting the Welsh Baftas last night, could we be seeing a more grown-up side to the kids’ TV stalwart?

He’s already made acting appearances, unrecognisable under make-up, in hip BBC comedy The Mighty Boosh, and behind the metal faceplate of a sinister Cyberman in sci-fi success story Doctor Who.