15.3 C
London
Sunday, May 3, 2026

Iconic CBBC presenters reunite for a group snap at Christmas party

  •  Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk

CBBC fans went wild after a gang of iconic presenters reunited for a beaming snap at a Christmas party this week.

Posing together the six famous faces hosted some of kids TV’s biggest shows throughout the early 2000s. 

Ortis Deley, 52, who hosted Live And Kicking and Xchange, was joined by Blue Peter’s Konnie Huq, 50, and Simon Thomas, 52.

Rounding out the group were SMart hosts Kristen O’Brien, 53, and Rani Price, 51, as well as Best Of Friends presenter Michael Absolom, 45.  

The party was hosted by fellow kids presenters, Xchange’s Angellica Bell, 49, and husband Michael Underwood, 50, who fronted kids game show Whatever You Want.

Ortis shared the snap to Instagram writing: ‘Whose childhood is this?! When the CBBC squad reunites. 

CBBC fans went wild after a gang of iconic presenters reunited for a beaming snap at a Christmas party this week

The party was hosted by fellow kids presenters,Xchange's Angellica Bell, 49, and husband Michael Underwood, 50, who fronted the kids game show Whatever You Want

‘@angellicabell & @michaelunderwoodteach threw open the doors to their home once again and now it feels like Christmas is officially upon us. It might get bumpy from here.’

Fans went wild and rushed to the comments: ‘Oh my god, brought me back to my inner child.’

‘Me! and as a generation, we can’t thank you guys enough. You were such fantastic role models and made an incredible impact on our childhoods.’

‘Definitely my childhood.’

‘OH MY GOD ALL YOU PEOPLE MADE MY CHILDHOOD MAGICAL AND SPECIAL AND HAPPY.’

It comes following reports that BBC was under pressure to remove David Walliams from its Christmas television schedule.

The broadcaster appeared to rule out any further projects with the children’s author after he was dropped by his publisher HarperCollins amid allegations he harassed and behaved inappropriately towards female members of staff.  

Walliams has denied any wrongdoing and says he was not informed of any allegations or party to an investigation. He is currently taking legal advice.

One MP told The Telegraph the BBC ‘probably would be better being safe than sorry’ and remove 54-year-old Walliams from its schedule.

However, a spokesman for the BBC said ‘we’re not making any changes to the festive schedules’ before adding that ‘we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams’

Ortis Deley, 52, presented Live and Kicking from 2000-2001, as well as Short Change, and Xchange

Pictured 2002

Kristen O'Brien, 53, is best known for hosting art show sMart from 1999 -2009

Pictured 2002

Simon Thomas, 52, was a Blue Peter presenter from 1999 until his exit in 2005

Pictured in 2000

Rani Price, 51, presented sMart, Xchange and kids game show Best of Friends

Pictured 2003

Konnie Huq, 50, joined Blue Peter in 1997 and became one of the longest serving hosts before leaving in 2008

Pictured 2004

Michael also hosted Best of Friends as well as Sportsround

Pictured 2003

Ortis shared the snap to Instagram writing: 'Whose childhood is this?! When the CBBC squad reunites'

Fans went wild and raced to the comments

The BBC is set to broadcast two TV adaptation from Walliams’s books, as well as a Boxing Day festive special of Would I Lie To You? where he appears as a panellist.

But this recording, too, became mired in controversy after the author performed two Nazi salutes during filming. 

CBBC will air TV film Mr Stink, adapted from a 2009 Walliams book, at 9am today, while The Boy In The Dress will also show later in the day. 

It is understood the BBC also has no plans to remove any content featuring Wallace from iPlayer.

The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC and Walliams’s representatives for further comment.  

It comes as Walliams enjoys a pre-Christmas holiday 5,000 miles away in the Maldives with his 12-year-old son, Alfred. 

In a series of what appear to be sponsored Instagram posts, Walliams is shown scuba diving, swimming and enjoying afternoon tea while tagging the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa resort.

One clip sees Walliams scuba diving with a turtle, set to music from the Bond thriller You Only Live Twice and posted with the caption ‘a dream’.

The gang alongside a few other famous faces reunited for Absalom's wedding in 2002 (Jake Humphrey, Angellica Bell, Ortis Deley, Michael, Francesca, Barney Harwood, Michael Underwood, Kirsten O'Brien and Rani Price pictured L-R)

A second post is captioned ‘floating in heaven’ while a third describes the resort as Walliams’s ‘new favourite place in the world’ and ‘complete and utter perfection’. The resort has reshared his posts on their own Instagram page.

Photos show the former Britain’s Got Talent judge enjoying tea, cocktails and biscuits at the resort, where villas for this week cost as much as $6,105 per night – around £4,563.

HarperCollins said on Friday it had taken the decision ‘not to publish any new titles by David Walliams’ following its internal investigation. 

The decision to drop Walliams comes after the sudden departure of former UK CEO Charlie Redmayne in October. Mr Redmayne has since been replaced by Kate Elton.

A spokesman for Walliams denied any wrongdoing. They said: ‘David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. 

‘He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.’ 

David WalliamsBBC

Hot this week

Diana’s ex-hairdresser condemns ‘evil’ comments about Kate’s hair

Princess Diana's former hairdresser has condemned 'nasty' comments made about the Princess of Wales 's hair - as she stepped out with her newly blonde tresses.

The unusual breakfast request Princess Lilibet asks Meghan Markle for

Meghan Markle revealed her children's favourite meals and that she 'doesn't like baking' on the second season of her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

Experts reveal how many tins of tuna is safe to eat a week

The NHS advises people to eat at least two portions of fish a week, yet a recent investigation revealed toxic metals, including mercury, could be lurking in cans of tinned tuna sold in the UK.

Some people DO see ghosts – and medics say there’s an explanation

An astonishing third of people in the UK and almost half of Americans say they believe in ghosts, spirits and other types of paranormal activity.

Prince Philip’s nickname only his nearest and dearest could call him

From 'Lillibet' to 'Grandpa Wales', members of the Royal Family are known to go by many nicknames.

Angry fans claim Emery’s line-up against Spurs ‘needs investigating’

Aston Villa fans have expressed their anger on social media after their heavily-rotated side lost to relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

Why Antonelli’s Miami GP win could be a harbinger of things to come

JONATHAN McEVOY IN MIAMI: The storm cleared and the race was dry, but concerns surrounded a longer-term forecast, namely the one that this would be George Russell's championship year.

Maddie McCann’s parents and siblings come together to mark anniversary

Kate and Gerry, accompanied by their twins, were warmly welcomed by supporters and well wishers for the informal outdoor gathering in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

Guardiola will look to avoid another shock when City visit Everton

One of the qualities that made Mikel Arteta an attractive proposition to Manchester City was his local knowledge. The ability to quickly debrief Pep Guardiola on where they were headed next.

Moyes calls out Everton’s £42m signing ‘to do better’ and ‘step up’

David Moyes says Everton's big-money signing Tyler Dibling needs to offer much more next season after a difficult first year on Merseyside for the 20-year-old.

Calum McFarlane hits out at ‘fake’ Cole Palmer narrative

Calum McFarlane is the latest Chelsea head coach to defend Cole Palmer 's form, insisting it is a fake narrative to suggest the English playmaker is playing poorly.

Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham: Spurs climb OUT of the relegation zone

MATT BARLOW AT VILLA PARK: What a difference a win makes. Just as Roberto De Zerbi said it would. Victory in Wolverhampton followed by victory at Aston Villa.

Trump begins ‘humanitarian gesture’ for victims of Iran war

The president declared that the initiative is called 'Project Freedom' and aims to help the 'neutral and innocent bystanders' that have been caught up in the suffocating blockage on the Iranian waterway.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img