More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Children's television channel Cbeebies has unveiled it's newest presenter and viewers are absolutely delighted.
The BBC confirmed it has chosen 20-year-old George Webster to join the existing presenting team in a message on social media that has since gone viral.
The Twitter post reads: “EXCITING NEWS. Our new CBeebies House presenter, George will be starting soon. He loves cooking and dancing, and he can’t wait to be your friend.”
George, who has Down's Syndrome, was spotted by Cbeebies producers after he appeared on the BBC Bitesize education channel where he presented a short film called '5 Myths about Down's Syndrome'.
So impressed were executives with his work that he was invited for screen tests to potentially become the newest face in children's television.
At his screen test George, who is an ambassador for Mencap, performed a poem, sang with existing presenter Rebecca, made a fruit smoothie on camera and helped to settle young viewers down before bedtime.
The BBC says George has been chosen because his warm, engaging and fun presenting style makes him the 'perfect fit' for the Cbeebies House - and it seems viewers already agree.
A video announcing his arrival has been already watched more than one million times in less than 24 hours, received almost 30,000 likes while almost 1,000 followers have reacted with their own messages both congratulating George and the channel for showing that someone with a disability can work in television.
Disability charity Mencap described George as 'the perfect role model' while actress Sally Phillips, whose son has Down's Syndrome wrote: "Oh CBeebies I could not love you more. This means so much to us and isn’t George amazing!!”
Also among the messages of congratulations was also one from the Kent Wide Down Syndrome Group, based in Herne Bay, which has described George as a 'true inspiration'.
George, who will host segments and links in between Cbeebies programmes, says he is feeling 'excited to start' and is expected to begin appearing on tv screens in the very near future.
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