BBC Blue Peter hosts 'secretly dating' after discovering instant chemistry

Shini Muthukrishnan and Joel Mawhinney, two presenters of the iconic television show Blue Peter, have developed a romantic relationship while working together on the children's programme. Shini, 22, joined the cast of the BBC show in January last year, and Joel, 25, has been part of the team for some time. According to sources close to the presenters, their chemistry was undeniable right from the start. They quickly became friends, and their relationship deepened over time. An unnamed insider shared that the pair are "practically living together," indicating how serious their relationship has become.

As they continue to co-host the beloved show, Shini and Joel share professional responsibilities and personal moments, enjoying each other's company both on and off set."They keep their work and personal lives completely separate and are the consummate professionals on set. They've been very discreet, but a lot of people working on the show know about their off-screen relationship," a source told MailOnline.

Speaking of her excitement at landing the role, Shini said in 2024: "Being part of the Blue Peter team is such a surreal and exciting feeling. It's my first time on the big screen and I can't wait for all the adventures to come!"

"I have really fond memories of Blue Peter, Helen [Skelton] and Barney [Harwood] were my era. As a kid, I looked up to Helen Skelton; she seemed fearless on screen.

"She took on incredible challenges with such a headstrong attitude that made me think I can be fearless too."

BBC has left Blue Peter staff devastated with the axing of live episodes of the beloved show in a shock move from the public broadcaster. At its peak, the show, which has been a mix of live and pre-recorded shows in recent years, attracted eight million viewers.

A spokeswoman told The Sun: "The programme will not be online only, but on CBBC, sign zone, BBC2 and iPlayer."

Former presenters Simon Thomas and Richard Bacon expressed their disappointment at the news, with Richard saying "being live is what made it alive".

Simon, now a Sky Sports presenter, posted on Instagram: "We probably didn't realise it at the time, but we were working in the last years of the golden age of children's TV, a time when children's programmes filled the afternoons and Saturday mornings on BBC One and ITV.

"An era when audiences were measured in the millions rather than the thousands.

"I don't say golden in an arrogant way, but everything has fragmented now, and the way children consume entertainment has changed forever. There will never be another era like it again."