Forever Play School icons! From a jazz singer and musician to a soap actress, what the legendary presenters have been doing since the show… as they return for nostalgic series

Iconic children’s show Play School has captured generations of fans in its almost 60 years on Australian screens.

For decades, families have watched as the legendary presenters helped preschoolers learn, feel and imagine during the heartwarming program.

Now ABC has paid tribute to its rotation of Play School hosts with an extra special series spanning its 58 years on the air, with the return of many familiar faces.

Over its 363 seasons, Play School was hosted by around 100 presenters, and many of them have now returned to the screen to commemorate the show’s history.

Here, Ny Breaking Australia takes a look at what the iconic stars have been up to since starring in the children’s show when they returned to the franchise.

Monica Trapaga

Monica famously appeared on Play School from 1990 to 1998 and left fans reeling when she returned for the special nostalgia series, titled Big Ted’s Time Machine.

The new series sees another contemporary hosting duo travels back in time to a decade from the 1950s, with former hosts making cameo appearances.

And Monica appeared as a TV reporter in the 1960s episode, making an extra special cameo that made parents nostalgic for their own childhoods.

She was instantly recognizable to viewers as she has barely aged a day since her playschool days, although she has turned away from children’s television in recent years.

Since her days on the iconic children’s show, Monica has forged a career in music, taking to the stage as a jazz singer.

Monica was famous on Play School from 1990 to 1998, but has since become a jazz singer and cabaret star

She regularly shares photos of herself on stage accompanied by jazz bands as she continues to find success performing across the country with the group.

She hasn’t completely avoided her presenting roots, as she also hosts the Dinner Set on ABC Jazz.

Monica has also followed her passion as a gardener and worked at Longreef Beach House.

Georgie Parker

Georgie became a fan favorite when she presented Play School from 2006 to 2012, returning for 1970s fun in the new series.

Before working on the children’s TV show, Georgie had already built a career as a soap actress.

She starred in All Saints in the early 1990s and also played the role of Lucy Gardiner in A Country Practice.

Since Play School, Georgie has continued to work as a soap actress and continues to appear in the iconic Australian show Home and Away.

She first portrayed Roo Stewart on the soap opera in 2010 and has become a long-running and recognizable face on the show.

Georgie also recently filmed the romantic comedy He Loves Me Not and appeared on stage in The Great Divide at the Ensemble Theatre.

Georgie became a fan favorite when she presented Play School from 2006 (left) to 2012, returning for 70s fun in the new series (right)

Before working on the children’s television show, Georgie had already built a career as a soap actress and has been working on Home and Away since 2010.

George Spartals

While George starred on Play School from 1985 to 1999, he is also known for another TV role.

George played Benito Alessi in the Australian soap opera Neighbors from 1992 until the following year.

The presenter has also worked as a director, playwright and children’s musician over the years, while trying his hand at various crafts.

He had a series of acting jobs in the 80s and 90s and has taken on occasional TV roles in recent years, including in City Homicide and All Saints.

Most recently, he worked as a narrator while lending his voice to The Adventures of Wolfdogg and Red Ridinghood.

While George starred in Play School from 1985 (left) to 1999, he is also known for another TV role (directly upon his return to Play School in 2024).

George portrayed Benito Alessi in Australian soap opera from 1992 until the following year in a brief soap career

Don Spencer

Don was a fan favorite on Play School in the early days when he started the show in 1968, just two years after its launch.

He remained part of the presenting team until 1999 and also appeared in the British version of the show from 1972 to 1988.

Don remains one of the few hosts to have worked on both versions of the long-running show, proving himself to be a firm fan favorite.

In addition to his presenting duties, Don also became a well-known musician and continues to show off his talents to this day.

In 1963 he released his first single Fireball, a theme song for the British science fiction series Fireball XL5, which reached number 32 on the British singles chart.

Don was a fan favorite on Play School in the early days when he started on the show in 1968, just two years after its launch (pictured left in 1968 and right in the new 2024 episode)

After leaving Play School, he founded the Australian Children’s Music Foundation – a non-profit organization that provides weekly music lessons to disadvantaged children across Australia.

Founder Don said of the organization, “I have seen firsthand time and time again how music fuels creativity and imagination.

‘Music supports the resilience and determination that many Australian children need to overcome the challenges life throws at them. The power of music can never be underestimated.”

Don has worked on a range of children’s music and most recently recorded the song Hold On To Your Dream.

Families were thrilled with the Play School icons returning to screens this month, as they took to social media to shower the nostalgia of the long-running series.

In addition to his presenting work, Don has also become a well-known musician and regularly works on children’s songs and children’s television programs.

Fans noted how easily recognizable the stars were despite years off the air, as they praised their ageless looks.

One fan wrote on Facebook: ‘Wow, they all look amazing! Well done x,’ while another said: ‘Monica has to spill her skincare regime because she doesn’t age! Nice!’

Parents were also excited to see the presenters from their own childhoods back on screen as they shared their joy at the ‘amazing’ and nostalgic episodes.

One said: ‘These presenters are my youth. Especially Monica and George,” another wrote: “It’s really great to see the faces I grew up with in the new episodes.”

A third added: ‘I loved watching it with my kids this week and seeing lots of familiar faces from when I was a kid.’

Play School is currently presented by a range of long-running presenters including Justine Clarke and Alex Papps (pictured in May 2016)

‘I hope they know how much happiness they have brought to children for many, many years. They are all so adored,” said another.

A fifth gushed: ‘We’ve had these great episodes on high rotation! So much fun!’

“Watched the 70’s episode this morning and it was AMAZING!! I feel so happy with these nostalgic memories,” one person wrote.

Play School is currently presented by a range of long-running presenters including Abi Tucker, Alex Papps, Andrew McFarlane, Emma Palmer and Justine Clarke.

Newer names including Hunter Page-Lochard, Kaeng Chan, Miah Madden and Eddie Perfect have also joined the lengthy lineup in recent years.