It’s not every day that you hear about sparks flying on the set of a beloved children’s TV show, but that’s exactly what’s been happening with two of Blue Peter’s current presenters.
For months, there have been whispers and speculation about romantic connections among the presenters, and now it turns out those rumours were true.
Shini and Joel’s Secret Relationship Comes to Light
Shini Muthukrishnan, 22, and Joel Mawhinney, 25, have been quietly dating for about a year.
Sources say their connection was instant after Shini joined the show back in January last year.
So close are they that they’re practically living together, though they’ve done their best to keep things under wraps.
A colleague revealed, “Shini and Joel really hit it off right away.
They were good friends first, then things naturally moved into romance.
They’re really professional on set and make a clear distinction between work and their personal lives, but quite a few people know what’s going on.”
A Bright Spot Amid Changes at Blue Peter
This budding romance is a breath of fresh air for the show, which has had its share of ups and downs recently.
According to insiders, Shini and Joel are young, talented, and genuinely adorable as a couple.
Their relationship has been low-key so far, but if Shini lands a spot on Strictly Come Dancing this year, the pair could easily become one of the most talked-about celebrity couples.
Casting decisions for Strictly are expected soon.
Last year Shini impressed the producers but didn’t quite make the final cut — this year might be different.
Past Blue Peter Romances and Friendships
Romantic links between Blue Peter presenters aren’t new.
Just recently, it came out that former hosts Helen Skelton, 41, and Gethin Jones, 47, have grown close again while working on BBC One’s Morning Live.
Although their time on Blue Peter didn’t overlap, their shared history on the show brought them together.
Going further back, legendary presenters Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton admitted to a brief romantic fling while working on the show in the late 60s and 70s.
Purves, now 86, said it was just a one-night thing but that they remained good friends afterward.
There were also rumours about Yvette Fielding and Mark Curry in the late 80s and early 90s, though Mark later publicly came out as gay.
John Leslie, another past host, was linked romantically with co-star Diane Louise-Jordan in the early 90s, though Leslie was later cleared of serious charges in 2020.
Fans Notice Chemistry on Social Media
Fans have been spotting Shini and Joel’s chemistry online, especially on TikTok where Joel boasts over 15 million followers.
Earlier this month, they were spotted enjoying a garden party picnic at Buckingham Palace, sharing moments of their fun day out.
Shini even posted a video rating the food, with fans playfully comparing them to Emma and Dexter from the romantic movie One Day.
Blue Peter’s Changing Format and Nostalgia
The news of this young romance comes amid big changes at Blue Peter.
In March, the show’s iconic live broadcasts — a staple since its 1958 debut — were scrapped in favour of pre-recorded episodes.
This decision was met with disappointment from fans and former presenters alike, many of whom shared nostalgic memories.
Despite the changes, the chemistry between Shini and Joel offers a hopeful, heartwarming storyline for the future of Blue Peter.