Diane-Louise Jordan

Diane-Louise Jordan, a prominent British media personality, has established a long-standing career in television and radio, most notably as the first black presenter of ‘Blue Peter’ and a long-serving presenter on ‘Songs of Praise’. After making history as the first black presenter of the iconic children’s program ‘Blue Peter’ in 1990, Diane-Louise Jordan has cultivated a distinguished career across British television and radio. Prior to her groundbreaking role, Jordan honed her acting skills, appearing in the TV movie ‘Elphida’ in 1987, followed by the film ‘High Hopes’ as the Chemist Shop Assistant and the TV series ‘South of the Border’ as Grace, both in 1988. In September 1989, she joined the cast of ‘Coronation Street’ as Kate Winterton.

Her tenure on ‘Blue Peter’ commenced on January 25, 1990, and ran for six years until February 26, 1996, where she co-presented alongside figures like Yvette Fielding and John Leslie. During this period, she also presented ‘Jackanory’ from 1991 to 1995 and ‘Funky Black Shorts’ in 1994. Following her impactful departure from ‘Blue Peter’ in 1996, Jordan transitioned to become a long-serving presenter on the BBC One religious program ‘Songs of Praise’, a role she maintained for two decades. Her extensive broadcasting portfolio showcases her versatility, with presenting credits on diverse television shows including ‘Countryfile’, ‘Out & About’, ‘Bright Sparks’, and ‘Antiques Road Show’.

In recent years, Jordan developed ‘The Making of Black Britain’, an oral history archive designed to enrich understanding of British identity through diverse narratives. Her enduring influence and contributions were formally recognized in 2023 when Loughborough University awarded her an honorary degree, celebrating her extensive work in broadcasting and her unwavering efforts to champion equality and inclusivity within society.