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Diane-Louise Jordan

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Diane-Louise Jordan
Jordan in London in 2009.
Born (1960-06-28) 28 June 1960 (age 64)
Hackney, London, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materRose Bruford College
Occupation(s)Television presenter, radio presenter
Years active1989–present
Known forBlue Peter, Songs of Praise
Spouse
Giles Broadbent
​
​
(m. 2007; died 2023)​
Children1

Diane Johnson (born 28 June 1960), better known by her stage name Diane-Louise Jordan,[1] is a British television presenter. She was the first black presenter of the children's television programme Blue Peter, being involved in the programme from 25 January 1990 until 26 February 1996. While on Blue Peter, her co-presenters were Yvette Fielding, John Leslie, Anthea Turner, Tim Vincent, Stuart Miles and Katy Hill.

Life and career

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Born in 1960, Jordan grew up in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Her parents came over to England from Jamaica in the 1950s and were part of the Windrush generation.[2][3] She studied theatre arts at Rose Bruford College, and worked as a stage actress after graduating.[4] She appeared on children's series Corners, when she was spotted by Blue Peter editor Lewis Bronze.[4] She became the programme's first black presenter[5] and turned down a role in soap opera Coronation Street for the job.[2] In 1988 she played the chemist shop assistant in the Mike Leigh film High Hopes. She later played the part of Kate Winterton in Coronation Street in September 1989.

Jordan can currently be seen presenting BBC One's religious programme, Songs of Praise. She also is vice-president of Action for Children, sits on the Council of the Prince's Trust, is a Patron of the ADHD Foundation[6] and is a trustee for BBC Children in Need.[7] In 1997 she sat on the Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Committee.[8] She is a celebrity supporter of the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT)

She married violinist Giles Broadbent in 2007. She has a daughter, Justine, previously her niece,[9] but whom she adopted when her sister died unexpectedly.[10] Between February 2012 and July 2017 Jordan presented Sunday Half Hour and then Sunday Hour on BBC Radio 2.[11] She lives in Holme, Cambridgeshire.[12] In 2023, she was awarded an honorary degree from Loughborough University for her outstanding contribution to broadcasting and her continued work championing equality and inclusivity.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Blue Peter: Diane-Louise Jordan", BBC, Classic TV.
  2. ^ a b Renshaw, Rosalind (15 April 2008). "Working relationship: Diane-Louise Jordan, the television presenter, and her right-hand man, Robin Major". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  3. ^ Jordan, Diane Louise (1 October 2021). "What it means to be black British". Woman Alive. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b Davies, Caitlin (27 March 2008). "My Way: Diane Louise Jordan gives her tips for success in the workplace". The Independent. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Fifty facts about Blue Peter at 50". BBC News. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  6. ^ "Our Patrons : ADHD Foundation". adhdfoundation.org.uk.
  7. ^ "The Prince's Trust Council". The Prince's Trust. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  8. ^ "Membership of Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Committee". HM Treasury. 3 December 1997. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  9. ^ Kandiah, Krish (14 March 2013). Home for Good : Making a Difference for Vulnerable Children. London. p. 55. ISBN 9781444745320. OCLC 897024606.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ Kenric Hickson, "My first home: Diane Louise Jordan", The Daily Telegraph, 17 April 2002.
  11. ^ "Diane Louise Jordan to step down from presenting The Sunday Hour on Radio 2". BBC Media Centre. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  12. ^ Dorman, Nick (6 November 2015). "Police warning for Songs of Praise star Diane Louise Jordan after sports day row". mirror. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Achievements of inspiring individuals recognised with honorary degrees". Loughborough University. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
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