A HEART-THROB presenter hailed as one of the sexiest men in Wales last night joined the Blue Peter team.
Gethin Jones, 26, is only the second Welshman to join the BBC show.
Former Theatr Clwyd protege Tim Vincent, from Wrexham, presented Blue Peter in the 1990s.
Gethin, who lives in Caernarfon, takes over from Simon Thomas who is leaving after six years .
Voted Company magazine's Bachelor of the Year in 2003, he follows in the famous footsteps of Blue Peter legends such as John Noakes and Valerie Singleton. He is the 31st presenter and the 15th man to join the show
He has become a regular face on TV appearing on live magazine show Uned 5.
Last night Gethin said: "I am so excited. This really is a dream come true.
"I had my first audition a few months ago and the waiting has been unbearable.
"When I got the job I spent several days thinking I must have been imagining it, and that I hadn't really got the job after all.
"I've wanted to present Blue Peter ever since I was a viewer myself, and I can't wait to get stuck in."
Blue Peter editor Richard Marson said: "Gethin impressed us all with his warmth, his understanding of the audience and his passion for Blue Peter.
"We think he'll fit in brilliantly and we're really looking forward to putting his many talents to the test over the next few years."
Gethin begins filming his first challenges next month with a trip to Vermont in the United States, flying with the Red Arrows and competing in extreme winter sports.
He makes his first appearance in the Blue Peter studio on April 27 before flying off on this year's summer expedition.
A keen rugby player Gethin studied human geography and economics at Manchester Metropolitan university gaining a 2:2.
Before entering the world of television he worked as a bank clerk, a hotline officer, and a research assistant.
He also spent three back-breaking months laying house foundations.
While on Uned 5 he visited Madagascar with copresenter Lisa Gwilym, and helped build a community kitchen in a small village.
Last year as part of a show challenge he learned how to fly a plane and gained his pilot's licence.
He is also a keen footballer, tennis player and golfer, as well as a talented musician with grade eight violin and grade six piano certificates. Gethin was also the leader of three county orchestras.
* Blue Peter, BBC1, Monday, Wednesday, Friday afternoons
