Janet Ellis
| Janet Ellis MBE | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Janet Michell Ellis 16 September 1955 Chatham, Kent, England |
| Occupation | TV presenter, actress and writer |
| Known for | Blue Peter and Jigsaw presenter |
| Spouse(s) |
Robin Bextor (1977–1984) John Leach (1988–present) |
| Children |
Sophie Ellis-Bextor (born 1979) Jackson "Jack" Ellis-Leach (born 1987) Martha Ellis-Leach (born 1990) |
Janet Michell Ellis MBE (born 16 September 1955) is an English television presenter, actress and writer, best known for presenting the BBC children's television programmes Blue Peter and Jigsaw between 1979 and 1987. In 2016 she published her first novel, The Butcher's Hook. She is the mother of the singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the drummer (and former child actor) Jackson Ellis-Leach and art historian Martha Ellis-Leach.
Ellis was born in Chatham, Kent. Her father was a soldier, stationed during her childhood at various places in Britain and Germany. Accordingly, she attended seven schools in the two countries, including Russell House School between the ages of five and seven, and St Hilary's between the ages of 11 and 13 (both in Sevenoaks, Kent), and from the ages of 13 to 17 her last school was Richmond County School for Girls in London. Having expressed an interest in acting since the age of five, she applied to, and was accepted by, the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, but because she was too young her place was deferred for a year. She spent the year gaining experience of the acting world by working backstage at the Comedy Theatre in central London and as an assistant stage manager at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. She has a sister, Sharon, who is two years younger than her.
Ellis's first television appearance in 1978 was a small role in the BBC's children's programme Jackanory Playhouse, followed by a bit part in The Sweeney. Her big break came in 1979, when she landed the job of regular presenter of the Clive Doig-produced Jigsaw. Also that year she played the character of "Teka" in the Doctor Who story The Horns of Nimon. After four series in Jigsaw Ellis left to join Blue Peter on 28 April 1983. During her four-year stint, she co-presented with Simon Groom, Sarah Greene, Peter Duncan, Michael Sundin, Mark Curry and Caron Keating. Her last show was on 29 June 1987. It is commonly believed that Ellis was sacked from the programme for being unmarried and pregnant with son Jackson, but in recent years Ellis has stated that she was fully supported by the Blue Peter production team and the decision to leave the programme was her own.
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