Gethin Jones talks about ‘terrifying’ stalker ordeal that left him needing guards – before revealing he’s often inundated with ‘d*** pics’ from fans
Gethin Jones has talked about his horrific stalker ordeal needing security guards while a host of Blue Peter.
The TV presenter, 45, fronted the long-running children’s show from 2005 to 2008 and he fell victim to the ‘weird’ behavior of an obsessive fan.
The Welshman was shocked by his interactions with the fan, but claims he may not have known the worst of the situation as BBC bosses have been hiding certain things from him.
Asked if he had had a stalker, he told the Rig Biz podcast: ‘I did, back in Blue Peter. It was so weird that I had some certainty, which I thought was a lot, but they felt… you know, they obviously knew things that I didn’t know.”
Gethin admitted it was a “terrifying” time.
Worrying: Gethin Jones, 45, has opened up about his horrific stalker ordeal while needing guards while a host of Blue Peter (pictured in 2021)
Experience: The TV presenter, 45, fronted the long-running children’s show from 2005 to 2008 and fell victim to the ‘weird’ behavior of an obsessive fan (pictured for Blue Peter in 2005)
He said, ‘Yes, of course. You know, you go to work every day and think that’s it and then for whatever reason…
“I think it’s interesting on television the medium of TV is really powerful and people think they know you really well and there are occasions when you might not get back to someone because you just don’t because you don’t know them and they think that offensive.’
The Morning Live host is “very careful” when it comes to fan mail and online messages and has stepped in to help people get support if he thinks wider issues are at play.
He added: “There are also people who have problems, so you have to be very careful.
“I had a woman message me and I looked at it and thought, ‘Ah, this isn’t funny’ and I passed it on to the relevant people to make sure she was okay because she clearly had some mental problems. issues.
“What again, bigger conversation with social media. I’m just surprised it’s not better managed for that reason, it’s so scary.”
Gethin – who recently raised £1million for charity – also admitted to receiving a lot of unwanted graphic photos from male admirers.
He said: ‘I get a lot of d*** pictures. Honestly, you get all sorts there and you don’t know it until you…
Fears: The Welshman was shocked by his interactions with the fan but claims he may not have known the worst of the situation as BBC bosses have been hiding certain things (LR: Former Blue Peter presenters Konnie Huq, Andy Akinwolere, Zoe Salmon and Gethin pictured in 2006)
‘I usually don’t go into it too much, but then you sometimes open it up.
Or “view photo” and you’re like, “Do I want to view this photo or not?”
“And sometimes it’s really fun and it’s like a charity thing and you want to help and then you’re like, ‘Ugh, that wasn’t what I was expecting.’
And then, I don’t know, it’s things like, “What’s your favorite cheese?” “Can I have your socks?” “What watch are you wearing?”