Social media star from Jersey joins Blue Peter

A social media star from Jersey has been unveiled as the newest presenter of Blue Peter.

Leo Olsson is best known for documenting "bucket list" personal challenges online, where he has almost 500,000 followers.

His first Blue Peter episode is due to be broadcast on November 20.

Olsson said: "It's a privilege to join a programme with such an incredible legacy".

Growing up in Jersey, Olsson started making videos when he was 12 years old.

As a teenager, he became well-known locally after writing letters to world leaders , seeking their best words of wisdom.

His desire to become a filmmaker lead him to a career as a content-creator, amassing more than 13 million likes and more than 454,000 followers across social media platforms.

Videos followed him as he took on challenges such as learning to play the piano, riding a unicycle and building a surfboard from scratch.

Speaking about joining the programme, he said : "There's no other show in the world like Blue Peter. It's all about adventure and not being afraid to try new things."

"Where else would you find a presenter trying to cross the Irish Sea in a Zorb ball, or walk a tightrope between the chimneys of Battersea Power Station?

"Growing up, all of my role models were the people I watched online and on television, so now I want show kids that you can go out and do whatever you want to do, take on a challenge, big or small."

In his first Blue Peter appearance, due to be broadcast on CBBC on Friday 20 November, Leo will earn his Blue Peter badge by joining a formation skydive being awarded his badge 4,000ft in the air.

Programme bosses described him as having "a sense of adventure and positivity" that made him the "perfect fit for Blue Peter".

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