Stirlingshire farmer Freddie Ingleby has reached the final six in the search for the next Blue Peter presenter.
The 24-year-old, who grew up at Malling Farm near Lake of Menteith, is one of more than 20,000 people who applied to be on the world’s longest-running children’s TV programme.
Producers selected 10 hopefuls to take part in an X-Factor-style search, known as Blue Peter You Decide!
The first episode was screened this week and Freddie avoided elimination after a series of challenges in Wales.
The former Ardvreck School and Glenalmond College pupil completed an assault course blindfolded, built a raft to rescue hosts Dick and Dom from a lake and gave updates to camera.
At the end of the show, four hopefuls were eliminated by judges Eammon Holmes, Myleene Klass and Ceallach Spellman, including fellow Scot Shona Summers.
Speaking to The Courier after the programme was broadcast, Freddie said: “Being a Blue Peter presenter means everything to me. I’ve wanted to be one for years.
“You get to do things as a Blue Peter presenter you wouldn’t get to do in any other job. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, plus a little bit of me loves the attention.”
The show, which moved from BBC1 to digital channel CBBC last year, is currently down to two hosts after Andy Akinwolere left two years ago but bosses have now decided to go back to the traditional three.
Freddie watched Blue Peter as a youngster, with his brother and two sisters.
“I once made a Tracey Island and it’s still one of the lingering memories I have of my childhood lots of toilet roll tubes,” he said. “I’m sure it’s still kicking around at home somewhere.”
Freddie left the farm as a teenager to study industrial design and technology at Loughborough University and hosted his own shows on campus radio.
He now works as a trainee manager at multinational recycling firm Sims Metal Management Limited, based in Birmingham, but often helped his father John, 71, when he was growing up on the farm.
“He did very well at school,” said Freddie’s father. “He also helped out with sheep and cattle on the farm but his interests were probably away from that.”
The next episode of Blue Peter You Decide! will be broadcast on the CBBC Channel on Monday at 5pm.