Gethin Jones makes 'unexpected' career announcement away from BBC Morning Live

Gethin Jones is returning home to Wales for a gig that is slightly different from his presenting role on BBC Morning Live. The 46-year-old, who hails from Cardiff, is returning to his roots to lead a star cast in Cinderella at New Theatre in the capital.

Gethin, who hosts the BBC breakfast programme four times a week alongside Helen Skelton and Michelle Ackerely, will play Prince Charming in the Christmas pantomime. The show will run from Saturday, December 7, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Alongside Gethin will be BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans as Dandini, celebrated New Theatre Cardiff panto Dame extraordinaire Mike Doyle as the Baroness with Denquar Chupak returning as Cinderella and Stephanie Webber joining as the Fairy Godmother.

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Gethin's career started by chance on S4C, after three years of presenting a variety of different live shows, Gethin joined Blue Peter. There he broke four world records and fulfilled a lifetime ambition of flying with the Red Arrows.

He visited 32 countries taking on the most extreme and obscure challenges. Then from one extreme to another, in 2007 he went on to dance his way to the semi-final of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, before joining the Strictly family to become their roving reporter for all the backstage gossip with It Takes Two.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Gethin told his 133K followers: "Bet you weren't expecting this...." with a smiley face emoji and the Welsh flag.

Supporting the announcement, Gethin's Morning Live co-host said: "This is superb!!!! I'll be front row!!!" while a fan commented: "This is mega, you're gonna have an absolute blast." You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.