On February 11, 2002, children's television in the UK changed swiftly with the launch of CBeebies, a colourful new channel dedicated to entertaining younger audiences, and allowing parents a sigh of relief.
Twenty years ago today, Pui Fan Lee and Chris Jarvis excitedly bounced onto our screens to host the channel's first ever segment, promising 'lots of treats' and something for every child across the nation.
It does not take a genius to realise that the world has changed a lot in just twenty years, and not just in terms of the pandemic. Technology has advanced swiftly and, although many children today are engrossed in YouTube and their games consoles, CBeebies still remains a hit, with 1.4million children and their parents tuning in to watch Hey Duggee on the channel in the first lockdown, according to The Guardian.
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A lot of young adults are today reflecting on what life was like when CBeebies aired, and reminiscing on the original presenters and shows.
When CBeebies first aired, the crew of presenters included Pui Fan Lee, Chris Jarvis, Sidney Sloane and Sue Monroe - here's what they're up to now.
Pui Fan Lee
Before CBeebies inception in 2002, Pui had already established herself in the world of children's television through her role as Po in Teletubbies, a much-loved show which has spanned generations of young viewers; the Nottinghamshire native is credited for her role as the lovable red character for over 220 episodes.
Pui introduced herself with a smile to the children of the nation alongside co-host Chris in the first ever segment to air on the channel, which was then followed by Teletubbies.
Now 50 years old, Pui has starred in many CBeebies productions over the last two decades, with her most recent appearance being in 2020, with The CBeebies House Show. Generation Z, the majority of the channel's fanbase, may remember Pui from shows such as Show Me Show Me, Bear and Butterfly, and Justin's House.
In 2019, Pui starred in two episodes of Eastenders as Dr. Fremantle. She also had a role in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.
Chris Jarvis
Like Pui, Chris was no stranger to the world of children's television prior to the launch of CBeebies, having made his name in the early 1990s with the likes of 'The Broom Cupboard', and 'Look Sharp'. Chris, now 52, also wrote a lot of his own material for Children's BBC in the 1990s, such as mini soap opera Wood Lane TV and the character 'The Anorak'.
A few years before CBeebies launched, Chris starred in two episodes of ChuckleVision, including the 1999 Comic Relief Special.
After introducing the country to CBeebies in 2002, Chris has enjoyed a lengthy run on the children's TV channel, appearing in shows such as Show Me Show Me, Step Inside, Underground Ernie, and Discover and Do.
Chris has starred in countless pantomimes over the years, with his most recent performance being Beauty And The Beast in Poole. In 2019, he launched a radio station for children, called Little Radio, which is set to return as a podcast this year. He also hosts family orchestra concerts, and is a firm believer in introducing children to orchestral music at a young age.
Sidney Sloane
Born Gary Gibson, Sidney adopted his stage name when he made the unusual career change from stockbroking to acting in 1997, when he became a student at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton.
Sidney was invited for a screen test with BBC executives, and a formal job offer was given to him as one of the founding presenters of CBeebies, which he accepted. During his time on the channel, Sidney starred in Waybuloo, Justin's House, Swashbuckle, Let's Play, and The CBeebies House Show.
Before the pandemic, in 2019, Sid was hosting 'SidTALKS', a project for children and young people across London which stressed the importance of mental and physical health, encouraging children to overcome their worries and achieve their goals.
In 2021, Sid appeared as an act at Wolverhampton Live!, which was headlined by Heather Small.
Sue Monroe
Having presented and puppeteered Poppy the Cat in CBBC, back when it was a programming block on BBC rather than a channel in the 1990s, Sue became one of the inaugural presenters of CBeebies when it launched 20 years ago.
Providing the voice of Tigs for original CBeebies show The Shiny Show, Sue also appeared in Baby Einstein, Bear and Butterfly, and Make and Do.
Sue stepped back from CBeebies in March 2006, but she returned in 2019 to appear on 'Sing and Dance with CBeebies', which saw a number of presenters from the show's history come together and reminisce on the good old days.
Now, Sue writes children's books. Her series 'The Magnificent Moon Hare' has been translated into five languages, and the author now owns a children's clothing shop in Cuckfield, West Sussex.
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