Former CBBC star Angellica Bell is tipping the channel’s Rhys Stephenson for Strictly success.
The host says kids’ TV is the best training ground for showbiz after fronting some of its biggest shows between 2000 and 2006.
Angellica worked on the likes of Short Change and That’s Genius! before moving on to The One Show and The Martin Lewis Money Show.
As Blue Peter star Rhys, 27, gets ready to hit the dancefloor, Angellica says: “Rhys will be amazing.
“He’s a great booking in terms of letting another audience tap into that show.
“So many CBBC presenters have done well – it’s a great place to learn your craft and diversify.
(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)
“When you present to children you have to let yourself go.
“Children see the whites of your eyes – they know if you’re being honest. It’s lovely for me seeing talent from that pool expressing themselves in different ways.”
Looking back at her time on kids’ telly fondly, Angellica reveals she even earned a compliment from icy Anne Robinson, 76.
“What’s good about children’s television is I was able to work across different genres,” says Angellica. “Short Change was a mini Watchdog.
(Image: BBC)
“I remember Anne Robinson coming up to me at Television Centre going, ‘That show is amazing’. That was a real moment for me.
“My boss, Paul Smith, used to be Gordon The Gopher and knew what my strengths were. I can’t ever regret working at children’s television – it changed my life. I’ll always be eternally grateful.”
In 2017, Angellica, now 45, showed her skills extend to the kitchen when she won Celebrity MasterChef.
TV’s Joe Swash, 39, and ex-footie ace Dion Dublin, 52, are among the stars battling it out for the 2021 title.
(Image: BBC)
Angellica says: “When I watch it, it makes me nervous. It’s as if I’m reliving the moment.
“That walk to put food in front of John (Torode) and Gregg (Wallace), it’s like a horror film.
“Before I did the show I used to say, ‘Why are people crying over their soufflé?’
“Then I was crying because I burned milk! The only frustrating thing about food programmes as a viewer is that you can’t taste it.
“It’s anyone’s game to win.”
(Image: BBC)
With her One Show pal Alex Jones, 44, on maternity leave, Angellica is set to return to the hosting seat. She says: “I’m seeing if I can fit in some dates to cover her leave.”
Their friendship extends beyond the studio. Angellica says: “The day after it was announced I won MasterChef I went to Alex’s house.
“She said, ‘Let’s celebrate’, and cooked me a microwave meal! It was the funniest thing ever.
“Now I do the cooking.”
(Image: Getty Images for Bauer Media)
Angellica says hosting the programme feels familiar to her in more ways than one, adding: “Some of The One Show crew worked on CBBC, so it’s like going back home.”
As schools begin reopening after the summer, the mum-of-two is now using her own platform to help children ease anxiety and learn about mindfulness through the five-part second series of Little Chapters Of Chill.
She says: “It’s really important we look after young people, especially after the year they’ve had.
(Image: BBC)
“These audiobooks allow children to explore their imagination, help them work through scenarios they might encounter and gives them techniques to breathe.”
Working with Emma Willis, 45, and Giovanna Fletcher, 36, on the project was a no-brainer too.
“I remember meeting Emma in a lift at ITV,” says Angellica. “She was pregnant and so lovely.
“We all know each other from over the years. Giovanna is an all-round good person.”
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As furlough ends and people try to rebuild their finances The Martin Lewis Money Show will soon return with Angellica co-hosting with finance whiz Martin, 49.
And she is proud to work with one of the few public figures people felt they could trust during lockdown.
She says: “Martin’s taught me so much. He wants people to feel comfortable talking about money and empowering themselves about their futures.
“If he can save someone £1, he feels he’s done his job.
“We have trust, a great working relationship and I see him socially.
“It’s incredible how the show was turned around during lockdown.
“We managed to broadcast every week and are coming back at the end of September for another long run to help people coming out of this situation.”
Angellica has partnered with Churchill to launch a second series of Churchill’s Little Chapters Of Chill children’s audiobooks. Five new episodes follow canine mascot Churchie on nature-based adventures designed to reconnect children with the outside world and include simple mindfulnesstechniques. Listen at churchill.com/chapters-of-chill and streaming platforms.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
