Diane Louise Jordan: From Blue Peter To Songs Of Praise
If the name Diane Louise Jordan is ringing a bell, there’s a reason! She has been in and out of the limelight for years, but do you remember why?
Image Source/ BuzzFeed
Born Diane Johnson on June 28th, 1960, in Hatfield, Hertforshire, Diane attended the Rose Bruford College (Sidcup) where she studied theatre arts.
After she graduated, Diane became an actress and got a job on Corners, a BBC children’s TV show. It was here that Dane was spotted by Lewis Bronze, the editor for Blue Peter.
Her hiring was a pivotal moment for the show as she became Blue Peter‘s first ever black presenter. She even turned down a role in the soap opera Coronation Street for the position! She did eventually get a small job on Coronation Street as Kate Winterton.
Diane was a Blue Peter presenter for six years from January 25th 1990 – February 26th 1996, which makes her the fourth longest-serving female presenter.
Her life after Blue Peter…
A devout Christian herself, Diane is currently on our screens as a presenter for Songs Of Praise. She also presented ‘Sunday Hour’ (previously, ‘Sunday Half Hour’) on BBC Radio 2 from February 2012 – July 2017.
Diane has also gone on to do lots of charity work. She is a celebrity supporter of the BCRT (Bone Cancer Research Trust); a trustee for BBC Children in Need; the vice-president of Action for Children; a patron of the ADHD foundation; as well as sitting on the Prince’s Trust council.
In 2008, she became a confidence coach for Kenny Richey – who agreed to a ‘no plea’ after 21 years on death row. She helped him re-adjust to life back in the UK after his release.
Most recently, Diane was on Channel 4’s Sink Or Swim for Stand Up To Cancer.
1 in 5 British adults are unable to swim. 1 in 3 children leave school unable to swim. Could you learn in 12 weeks and then attempt to swim the Channel with other non-swimmers in a relay? These guys are giving it a go! #SinkOrSwim for #StandUpToCancer starts tomorrow 9:30pm. 🏊 pic.twitter.com/sdTXFsjwlx
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) August 26, 2019
Image Source/ Twitter
Diane’s personal life…
In 2007, Diane married violinist Giles Broadbent.
The couple adopted her niece, who subsequently became their daughter, after Diane’s sister died unexpectedly.