Grangemouth wheelchair racer Abby Cook has been announced as the new Blue Peter presenter set to make her debut later this week.
Abby, 20, will join Mwaka Mudenda, Joel Mawhinney, and Henry the dog as she gears up for her first show on Friday, March 10. Taking on her first Blue Peter challenge, Abby will face her fear of heights as she abseils down Millers Dale Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to collect her badge.
She trains twice a week with Paralympians as part of the Forth Valley Flyers athletics club and has also worked as a mental health project administrator for Scottish Disability Sport.
Abby was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome at birth (EDS) which causes her joints to easily dislocate and causes a lot of pain. She attended Grangemouth High School, achieving straight As, before studying Applied Biological Science at Forth Valley College.
The Scots star, who has become the 42nd Blue Peter presenter, said: "It was a very emotional moment knowing I would actually be presenting a show I love and had grown up with."
She added: "Helen (Skelton) and (dog) Barney were my era, but I also became obsessed with watching You Decide when the public got to choose the latest presenter and they picked Lindsey (Russell).
"I remember thinking what a great role model she was, she had never presented before but here was this strong woman going on the show and doing an amazing job. I'm hoping to do the same because I know what a lasting impression the presenters can have on the audience."
Blue Peter editor Ellen Evans said: "When Abby came to the studio, we knew she would be great for the show because she has an unstoppable 'can do' attitude.
"She's up for any challenge and we know she'll connect beautifully with our audience because she has a real affinity for working with young people, but she also has the biggest of hearts."
Abby's first live show airs on Friday, March 10 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5.00pm.
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