By Staff reporter

Last updated at 11:55, Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Cumbrian Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has admitted she might quit the BBC TV show when its moves to Manchester next year.

Helen Skelton

The former Radio Cumbria presenter had previously said she was happy to swap London for Salford when the teatime programme relocates next June.

But reports over the weekend say she has had a change of heart.

“I’m going to see what the best opportunity is for me at the right time and that could be anything,” she said.

“That could mean quitting it altogether and doing something completely different.”

Helen, of Kirkby Thore, near Penrith, told The Cumberland News two weeks ago that she was looking forward to the move and that her family were glad to see her moving closer to Cumbria.

The entire Children’s BBC department, as well as Radio 5Live and BBC Breakfast, will move to the new multi-million pound ‘Media City’, in Salford, next summer.

The shift is aimed at making the corporation appear less ‘London-centric’.

But the move is said to be unpopular among BBC staff, with majority of the Blue Peter production team reportedly against it.

Helen’s fellow presenter Andy Akinwolere is also thought to be considering quitting.

The 27-year-old began her media career in the newsroom at Carlisle’s CFM Radio before becoming a breakfast presenter on Radio Cumbria in 2005.

She was revealed as a new Blue Peter presenter in August 2008, replacing Zoe Salmon.

She hit the headlines earlier this year after kayaking the entire length of the Amazon river for Sport Relief 2010, covering 2,010 miles.

She made her debut as a roving reporter at Wimbledon at the championships in June.

First published at 11:30, Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk