UK children’s television presenter announced as guest speaker

for DDAI Conference and Access, Care & Mobility Expo

UK television presenter Cerrie Burnell, the first-ever person with a disability to become a regular CBeebies presenter, visited Dublin on Friday 13 May to highlight her involvement as special guest speaker at the upcoming Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland Annual Conference and Access, Care & Mobility Expo on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th June at CityWest, Dublin. Cbeebies is the television channel produced by the BBC aimed at children aged 6 years and under.

Presenter, actress, singer and playwright Cerrie Burnell is half-Irish and has visited Ireland many times. Cerrie said “I’m delighted to be part of these two important events and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to come back to Ireland. I’m just learning to drive at the moment, which is slightly daunting in central London! But driving an automatic actually makes it a bit easier- at least I don’t have to worry about the gears! I’m hoping to get some good tips from the conference audience and the exhibition about all the latest developments in assisted mobility and I’m looking forward to having a really lovely day.”

Cerrie’s career began when she left drama school at 22 and at the age of 25, she secured a place on the BBC Talent Fund, run by the BBC, Channel 4 and the Actors Centre, introducing directors to disabled talent. Cerrie was soon noticed, landing television parts in ‘Holby City,’ ‘EastEnders,’ ‘Grange Hill,’ ‘The Bill,’ and ‘Comedy Lab.’

Shortly after her first child was born, Cerrie landed a presenting job at the BBC on Cbeebies and with her warm and friendly demeanour, she proved to be a natural. However within a month of starting, she attracted controversy from a small number of parents regarding her disability but received overwhelming support from many others as well as from various disability groups. Subsequently Cerrie appeared on ‘The One Show,’ raising awareness on disability and the prejudice that can surround it.

Cerrie was named in The Observer’s list of the top ten children’s presenters earning a favourable comparison with veteran television and radio presenter Valerie Singleton. Cerrie also featured in The Guardian’s list of the 100 most inspirational women where she received praise for ‘tackling disability head on’.

Alongside her work for Cbeebies, Cerrie has hosted Radar’s People of the Year Awards, presented at the AMI Awards and continues to make regular television appearances. Featuring on shows such as BBC One’s ‘Celebrity Mastermind’, Channel 4′s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and STV’s ‘The Hour’. Cerrie also recently featured alongside other top television talent including Reggie Yates and Konnie Huq on Channel 4′s ‘Diverse Nation’, a documentary celebrating the on screen talent that showcases the rich diversity of the UK.

Podcast of Cerrie Burnell on RTÈ Radio 1 (Pat Kenny Show on 13.5.11) (right click -> save as ..)

↑ TOP OF PAGE  ↑