All-rounder Gethin Jones

 Anyone who is able to run for eight hours lugging 15kg (33 lbs) on his back is fit.  The Royal Marine 30 Mile Commando Yompacross Dartmoor is seriously tough.  Onthe other hand, going to Battersea to get all dressed up as a mermaid means youcan have a good laugh - especially if you are a bloke. 

These two experiences proved to be beneficial forGethin Jones when he took part in the contest . Gethin Jones’ many female admirers were disappointed when he got thirdposition.  He is the participant who carried all his experiences as a BluePeter presenter to enter the semi-final phase of the competition.  Onlythe second Welshman to become a presenter for Blue Peter he captured theimagination of the viewers.  Gethin Jones could be accurately described asan action man who can dance. 

 Jones is the son of a Welsh primary school teacher anda Polish violinist.  His musician mother encouraged him to play the violinand piano.  He frequently took part in musicals and was a member of hisschool’s orchestra.  For his A-levels Jones studied economics, biology andgeography.  Jones went on to take geography and economics at Manchester Metropolitan University. There he attained a 2:2.  All the while Jones was a keen rugby player whoshowed a lot of talent. 

Gethin Jones began his TV career as a presenter ofchildren’s programs.  Blue Peter according to him was ‘a dream cometrue’.  This is the show that allows him to take part in many adventureactivities.  Jones’ sporty background makes him an ideal candidate forthis kind of performance.  One of his career challenges was to learn to fly. He earned his pilot’s licence in 2004. 

When asked if he had ever been unsuccessful at anychallenge issued by Blue Peter his answer was an emphatic no.  Thisadventurous presenter is willing to take on any challenge.  He did howeveradmit that before Strictly Come Dancing he could not dance.  According tohim he was also ‘rubbish at steering a gondola in Venice’ and he definitely cannot iceskate.  This certainly will not lose him any of his adoring femalefans.  In 2003 Jones was voted Best Bachelor by Company magazine. 

 Since the end of last year Jones has been spotted outand about on romantic dates with the singer Katherine Jenkins.  They wereintroduced two years before during a Blue Peter show.  Jenkins hadimpressed him with her ability to get on with children.  He found her tobe completely sincere.  It was the Strictly Come Dancing show that broughtthe two together again.  Jenkins sang with Andrea Bocelli when Jones was adance participant.  The two Welsh talents seem to have a lot in common.