- Konnie Huq
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Konnie Huq
কনক হক
Huq in 2006Born Kanak Asha Huq
17 July 1975
Hammersmith, London, EnglandResidence United Kingdom Ethnicity Bangladeshi Citizenship British Education 2:1 in Economics Alma mater Notting Hill & Ealing High School, Robinson College, Cambridge Occupation Television presenter Employer ITV, BBC Known for Blue Peter presenter, Olympic Torch incident Term Blue Peter presenter Predecessor Romana D'Annunzio Successor Helen Skelton Religion Sunni Islam[1] Spouse Charlie Brooker (2010-present) Kanak Asha "Konnie" Huq (
/ˈhʌk/; Bengali: কনক হক; born 17 July 1975) is a British television presenter, who is best known for being the longest-serving female presenter of Blue Peter, having presented it from 1 December 1997 until 23 January 2008. She presented the 2010 series of The Xtra Factor on ITV2.Contents
Early life
Huq was born in Hammersmith, London, to Sunni Muslim[2] Bangladeshi parents who had immigrated to England in the 1960s.[3][4][5] She grew up in Ealing, London, with her two sisters, Rupa and Nutun. She was educated at the independent Notting Hill & Ealing High School in London obtaining 9 GCSEs (of which 8 were grade A and 1 grade B) and A-levels in physics, maths and chemistry. She also appeared on the TV gameshow Blockbusters in 1992. At Robinson College, Cambridge she obtained a 2:1 in Economics.[3]
Broadcasting career
Early career
In 1989, at the age of 14, Huq was a guest on Blue Peter with the National Youth Music Theatre, where she sang a solo. In 1992, ahead of the forthcoming general election, Huq interviewed Labour leader Neil Kinnock for the children's programme Newsround. She appeared as a contestant on Blockbusters in the same year. She also appeared as an extra playing a schoolgirl in the BBC One sitcom 2point4 Children in the Series 2 episode "I'm Going Slightly Mad". In 1997, several months before joining Blue Peter, Huq presented Five's early morning children's programme Milkshake!, while also working as an editorial assistant at 'Total Sport' magazine.
Blue Peter
Huq is best known for presenting the BBC children's television programme Blue Peter, which she joined on 1 December 1997.[6][7] One of her most memorable early moments on Blue Peter was visiting Bangladesh, and speaking to members of her extended family whom she had not seen for many years.[6] In the programme's 2004 "Summer Expedition" to India, Huq became an extra in a Bollywood film, and practised dancing alongside its stars.[citation needed] For the programme's 2004 "Welcome Home" appeal, she made an emotional visit to Angola in the hope of reuniting children with the families they had been separated from due to war.[citation needed] In 2008, during her last programme, she broke a Guinness World Record by managing to pin 17 Blue Peter Badges onto fellow presenter Andy Akinwolere's shirt in a minute.[citation needed]
During her time on Blue Peter her colleagues were Stuart Miles, Katy Hill, Romana D'Annunzio, Richard Bacon, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker, Liz Barker, Zöe Salmon, Gethin Jones and Andy Akinwolere.[citation needed]
In March 2007 she apologised to viewers after a competition on the programme was faked, saying "We'd like to say sorry to you because when this mistake happened, we let you down."[8] She was later reported as saying that this event contributed to her decision to leave the programme.[9][10]
On 31 May 2007, Huq announced that she would be leaving Blue Peter in early 2008.[8] Her last live programme was broadcast on 22 January 2008, making her the third longest-serving Blue Peter presenter of all time and its longest-serving female host, having passed Valerie Singleton's record on 1 October 2007.[11]
On 23 January 2008, Huq hosted her final Blue Peter, with a clip show of her highlights through the ten years she had been on the programme.[citation needed]
The Xtra Factor
Huq presented the 2010 series of The Xtra Factor on ITV2 replacing Holly Willoughby who was unable to fulfil the role due to her ongoing commitments at This Morning.[12] However it was reported that she had departed from The Xtra Factor due to other commitments though rumours that she was sacked by Simon Cowell after he was reported to be unimpressed with her performance and presenting style.[13][14]
Other television work
Between 2002 and 2004, Huq co-presented the CBBC Channel's UK Top 40.
In early 2004 Huq was briefly a presenter for Top of the Pops. She appeared on the CBBC series M.I.High as herself in the episode "The Big Freeze" broadcast on 22 January 2007. She presented GMTV's coverage on New York Fashion Week on the week of 10 September 2007. She has also been a guest panelist on the comedy gameshow 8 out of 10 Cats.
December 2007 saw Huq appear on a celebrity version of Ready Steady Cook with Blue Peter co-presenter Andy Akinwolere, and playing a servant (called Konnie) on the last episode of the second series of Robin Hood. Also in 2007, Konnie began presenting the ITV1 London show London Talking, a political debate show, alongside Vanessa Feltz and Nick Ferrari.
She has also co-presented some of the weekly Your News programme for BBC News in 2008. On 14 April 2008 Konnie was seen filming at Colchester Zoo for the 3rd series of Five show Zoo Days which was broadcast starting June 2008.
She also appeared in an episode of Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe in December 2008, where she hosted a mock version of a "mission documentary". Huq appeared alongside Charles Kennedy on This Week on 18 December 2008 and also appeared in a number of episodes of M.I. High.
She also played herself in the episode "Golden Lady" of the TV series FM in March 2009.
She presented Guinness World Records Smashed with Steve Jones on Sundays 6pm on Sky1, she has attempted some records herself including moonwalking and trampolining. On 15 May 2009, Huq began to present entertainment show Hannah-Oke on The Disney Channel with Duncan James.
She appeared as a panellist on popular Channel 5 show The Wright Stuff the week beginning 24 August 2009 discussing topical issues.
Radio
On 15 September 2006, Huq became one of the presenters of The Tube with Tony Wilson, Alex James and Emily Rose[disambiguation needed
] on Channel 4 Radio[15] working with production company UKoneFM. The first edition was broadcast on 3 November 2006.[16]Huq made her debut as a news presenter on the BBC Asian Network in September 2007,[17] in a series of documentaries on a radio current affairs programme called the Asian Network Report.[4]
Olympic Torch incident
On 6 April 2008, Huq was one of 80 carriers of the Olympic torch relay through London when on Ladbroke Grove a protester, Ian Harold Brown, tried to grab the torch from her whilst Huq was about to give the torch to the next runner. On BBC News later that day she defended carrying the torch, saying she "did the procession because I believe in the Olympic values, the ideals, I think sport on a global scale is a brilliant thing, it transcends culture, race, money," despite what she calls China's "terrible track record when it comes to human rights."[18] Huq was not hurt in the incident. Police wrestled the protester to the ground and arrested him.[19] She, however, voiced concern over the Chinese torch guards, saying "They were very robotic, very full on, and actually I noticed them having skirmishes with our own police and the Olympic authorities before our leg of the relay".[20]
Charity interests
In 2005, Huq took part in BBC One show Comic Relief Does Fame Academy, in aid of Comic Relief, and was the third contestant to be voted off, after her rendition of Kim Wilde's Kids in America. She also travelled to Uganda and met orphan children, on behalf of Comic Relief, and is currently a celebrity ambassador for the British Red Cross,[21] for whom she recorded the video "If I had HIV, would you kiss me?"[22] as part of a campaign against stigmatization of people living with HIV.
In 2008 Konnie travelled to Afghanistan with the charity Afghanaid to film a BBC Lifelines appeal which was aired on 21 September on BBC1.[23] In the film she talked with women in the remote province of Badakhshan, which has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, about childbirth and made an appeal for viewers to donate to Afghanaid's programme to train local midwives. She also spoke to children who had been part of an Afghanaid Child Rights project, including a 14 year old girl who had persuaded her parents not to force her into marriage.[24]
Konnie Huq is an ambassador for Gold Challenge, part of the official mass participation legacy programme for the London 2012 Games. Gold Challenge is a fund-raising challenge where participants take on five or more Olympic and Paralympic sports in order to raise money for a charity of their choice. Konnie will be taking on her own Gold Challenge and encouraging others to do so as well.
Personal life
Huq supported the Labour Party at the 2010 General Election.[25]
On 26 July 2010 Huq married Charlie Brooker at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas after a nine-month relationship.[26][27]
Filmography
Year Title Role 1992 Blockbusters Contestant 2point4 Children Extra 1993 Eat Your Words Main presenter alongside Simon Parkin 1997 Milkshake! Main presenter alongside Lucy Alexander 1997–2008 Blue Peter Main presenter alongside various co-presenters 2002–2004 UK Top 40 Main presenter alongside Adrian Dickson 2005 Comic Relief Does Fame Academy Contestant (out third) 2006 The Tube Main presenter alongside Tony Wilson, Alex James and Emily Rose[disambiguation needed ]2007 The Sarah Jane Adventures Cameo appearance M.I.High Minor character 8 out of 10 Cats Panellist New York Fashion Week Main presenter for GMTV coverage London Talking Main presenter alongside Vanessa Feltz and Nick Ferrari Robin Hood A servant called Konnie 2008 Al Murray's Happy Hour Celebrity guest Your News Main presenter alongside Laura Jones, Manish Bhasin and Adam Parsons The Weakest Link Contestant on Blue Peter special UK School Games Main presenter alongside Nigel Clarke When Beauty Goes Wrong Main presenter Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe Presenter of the mock documentary in Episode 4 'Konnie's Great British Wee' Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? Contestant 2008–2009 Zoo Days Presenter of the Colchester edition of the show 2009 Noel's HQ Reporter Guinness World Records Smashed Main presenter alongside Steve Jones Hannah-Oke Main presenter alongside Duncan James The Wright Stuff Panellist for the Week The Daily Politics Guest reporter I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! NOW! Panellist Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie Celebrity participant 2010 The Archive Hour: Open Sesame Guest reporter The Xtra Factor Main presenter from Series 7 Mind Your Language Main presenter 71 Degrees North Contestant Series 1 This Week Guest reporter Shocked Britain Main presenter 2011 Would I Lie to You? (TV series) Guest panellist Preceded by
Holly WilloughbyHost of The Xtra Factor
2010Succeeded by
Olly Murs and Caroline FlackSee also
References
- ^ Saner, Emine (7 December 2007). "Konnie Huq's ten years in Blue Peter show and why she is leaving it now". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/07/bbc.television1. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
- ^ 12:55PM BST 10 Oct 2010 (2010-10-10). "Konnie Huq: my family wanted me to marry a Muslim". Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8053988/Konnie-Huq-my-family-wanted-me-to-marry-a-Muslim.html. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ a b Caesar, Ed "Konnie Huq is feeling the heat but still ready to carry the Olympic flame", Times Online, 6 April 2008
- ^ a b My Secret Life: Konnie Huq, TV Presenter, age 32 The Independent, 12 July 2008
- ^ Good Girl, Bad Girl - Konnie Huq[dead link] UK Lanka Times
- ^ a b "Konnie Huq - Clients". ROAR Global. 1997-12-01. http://www.roarglobal.com/clients/konnie-huq/biography/. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "Host Huq bows out of Blue Peter". BBC News. 22 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7203281.stm.
- ^ a b Blue Peter editor leaves job BBC News, 16 May 2007
- ^ "I Quit Over BP Kon". Daily Mirror. 21 June 2007. http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/2007/06/21/i-quit-over-bp-kon-89520-19331004/. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
- ^ Television - News - 'Blue Peter' presenter left due to scam Digital Spy, 21 June 2007
- ^ "Blue Peter's Konnie Huq to leave". BBC News. 31 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6709739.stm. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ Josh Darvill (7 June 2010). "Konnie Huq announced as new Xtra Factor presenter". TellyMix. http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/pre-xf/13265-konnie-huq-announced-as-new-xtra-factor-presenter.html. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ^ "Praise the Lord! Konnie Huq sacked from the Xtra Factor!". Unreality TV. 2010-12-13. http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/x-factor/praise-the-lord-konnie-huq-sacked-from-the-xtra-factor/. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "Xtra Factor’s Konnie Huq gets the axe from ITV2 spin-off - X Factor 2011 | The X Factor 2011 by TellyMix". Xfactor.tellymix.co.uk. 2010-12-14. http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/news/23284-xtra-factors-konnie-huq-gets-the-axe-from-itv2-spin-off.html. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "Presenters". The Tube. Channel 4. http://www.channel4.com/music/microsites/0-9/4radio/thetube/presenters.html. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
- ^ The Tube is back on Channel 4 Radio Skiddle.com, 31 October 2006
- ^ Asians in Media article on new Asian Network Report Asians in Media, 1 September 2006
- ^ "Clashes along Olympic torch route". BBC News. 6 April 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7333360.stm. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
- ^ Booth, Jenny (6 April 2008). "Arrests and scuffles as Olympic torch crosses London". Times Online. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3693033.ece. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
- ^ "Olympic torch guards called "thugs"". The International Herald Tribune. 15 April 2008. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/08/asia/guards.php. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
- ^ Profile[dead link] British Red Cross
- ^ "Video: If I had HIV, would you kiss me?". YouTube. 19 November 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ^ Afghanaid, a charity working in rural Afghanistan which Konnie Huq filmed an appeal for in 2008
- ^ Afghanaid Appeal - Lifeline - BBC YouTube
- ^ om een reactie te plaatsen!. "Konnie Huq on why she's voting Labour". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir7n1QJ-Q70&feature=player_embedded. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ Sara Nathan (9 June 2010). "Konnie Huq to marry Charlie Brooker in the most unlikely showbiz wedding". London: Mail Online. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1285111/The-unlikely-showbiz-wedding-Konnie-Huq-marry-foul-mouthed-Charlie-Brooker-whirlwind-romance.html. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ^ "Marriage License". County of Clark, Nevada. 2010-07-26. https://aivitals.co.clark.nv.us/WebPIInternet/DocDescMain.aspx?sk=20100726000520940&ref=186bdb26-4045-4f62-8170-66e344d156b6. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
External links
- Konnie Huq at the Internet Movie Database
- Konnie Huq collected news and commentary at The Guardian
- Konnie Huq supports Dance for life[dead link] British Red Cross
- Konnie Huq Guinness World Records Smashed Interview Sky 1
The X Factor (UK) Series Main Celebrity Battle of the StarsPresenters Current Former Judges Current Former Guest Paula Abdul · Geri Halliwell · Natalie Imbruglia · Pixie Lott · Katy Perry · Nicole Scherzinger · Alexandra BurkeWinners Main series Steve Brookstein · Shayne Ward · Leona Lewis · Leon Jackson · Alexandra Burke · Joe McElderry · Matt CardleCelebrity series Related singles Winner's singles "Against All Odds" · "That's My Goal" · "A Moment Like This" · "When You Believe" · "Hallelujah" · "The Climb" · "When We Collide"Charity singles Related articles List of finalists (series 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8) · Discography · Controversy and criticism · Syco TV · Fremantlemedia · talkbackTHAMES · ITVChristopher Trace · Leila Williams · Anita West · Valerie Singleton · Sandra Michaels · John Noakes · Peter Purves · Lesley Judd · Simon Groom · Christopher Wenner · Tina Heath · Sarah Greene · Peter Duncan · Janet Ellis · Michael Sundin · Mark Curry · Caron Keating · Yvette Fielding · John Leslie · Diane-Louise Jordan · Anthea Turner · Tim Vincent · Stuart Miles · Katy Hill · Romana D'Annunzio · Richard Bacon · Konnie Huq · Simon Thomas · Matt Baker · Liz Barker · Zöe Salmon · Gethin Jones · Andy Akinwolere · Helen Skelton · Joel Defries · Barney Harwood
Series 1 (2010) · 2 (2011)Presenters Series 1Series 2Paddy McGuinness · Charlotte JacksonContestants Series 1Marcus Patric · Gavin Henson · Susie Amy · Joe Absolom · Andrew Castle · Shane Richie · Michelle Mone · Diarmuid Gavin · Konnie Huq · Lauren SochaSeries 2Winners Related Articles Press Television shows BBCChannel 4The 11 O'Clock Show · Brass Eye Special · Nathan Barley · Spoons · You Have Been Watching (episodes) · 10 O'Clock LiveE4OtherWebsites Related articles Zeppotron · Chris Morris · Grace Dent · Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace · David Firth · Tim Key · Konnie HuqCategories:- 1975 births
- Living people
- Alumni of Robinson College, Cambridge
- BBC Asian Network
- Blue Peter presenters
- British people of Bangladeshi descent
- British Muslims
- British Sunni Muslims
- Fame Academy participants
- People from Ealing
- People from Hammersmith
- Red Cross ambassadors
- The X Factor (UK)
- The X Factor hosts
- People educated at Notting Hill & Ealing High School
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