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'''Kanak Asha "Konnie" Huq''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ʌ|k}}; born 17 July 1975) is a British television and radio presenter, screenwriter and children's author. She became the longest-serving female presenter of the British children's television programme ''[[Blue Peter]]'', presenting it from 1997 to 2008. She has been a presenter and guest of shows including the 2010 series of ''[[The Xtra Factor (UK TV series)|The Xtra Factor]]'' on ITV2.
'''Kanak Asha''' "'''Konnie'''" '''Huq''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ʌ|k}}; born 17 July 1975) is a British television and radio presenter, screenwriter and children's author. She became the longest-serving female presenter of the British children's television programme ''[[Blue Peter]]'', presenting it from 1997 to 2008. She has been a presenter and guest of shows including the 2010 series of ''[[The Xtra Factor (British TV series)|The Xtra Factor]]'' on ITV2.


She co-wrote the ''[[Black Mirror]]'' episode "[[Fifteen Million Merits]]" with her husband, [[Charlie Brooker]]. Her children's book ''Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World'' was published in 2019. She published the follow-up, ''Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World'', in 2020 along with her third children's book, ''Fearless Fairy Tales: The Perfect Book for Homeschooling Fun and Inspiration''.
She co-wrote the ''[[Black Mirror]]'' episode "[[Fifteen Million Merits]]" with her husband, [[Charlie Brooker]]. Her children's book ''Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World'' was published in 2019. She published the follow-up, ''Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World'', in 2020 along with her third children's book, ''Fearless Fairy Tales: The Perfect Book for Homeschooling Fun and Inspiration''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Kanak Asha Huq was born in the [[Hammersmith]] district of [[London]] on 17 July 1975,<ref name="Joynes2018">{{cite book|first=Ella|last=Joynes|title=Baby Names 2019|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6yPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT270|date=August 2018|publisher=Crimson Publishing|isbn=978-1-910336-53-3|page=270}}</ref><ref name="SecretLife">{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-konnie-huq-tv-presenter-age-32-864535.html|title=My Secret Life: Konnie Huq, TV Presenter, age 32|date=12 July 2008|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528210138/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-konnie-huq-tv-presenter-age-32-864535.html|archive-date=28 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> the daughter of [[Muslim]] parents who emigrated from [[Bangladesh]] in the 1960s.<ref name="SecretLife" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8053988/Konnie-Huq-my-family-wanted-me-to-marry-a-Muslim.html |title=Konnie Huq: my family wanted me to marry a Muslim |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=10 October 2010 |access-date=15 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203200038/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8053988/Konnie-Huq-my-family-wanted-me-to-marry-a-Muslim.html |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Caesar1>{{cite web | last=Caesar |first=Ed |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3688458.ece |title=Konnie Huq is feeling the heat but still ready to carry the Olympic flame |work=The Times |date=6 April 2008}}</ref> She grew up in the [[Ealing]] district of London with her two elder sisters, Nutun, and future [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician [[Rupa Huq|Rupa]]. She attended [[Notting Hill & Ealing High School]] and obtained nine [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSEs]], then gained [[GCE Advanced Level|A-levels]] in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/uploads/File/CAMArticles/CAM%2052/My%20Time%20at%20Cambridge.pdf |title=My Time at Cambridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119072305/http://www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/uploads/File/CAMArticles/CAM%2052/My%20Time%20at%20Cambridge.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2012 }}</ref> She went on to study economics at [[Robinson College, Cambridge]], graduating with a [[2:1]] degree.<ref name=Caesar1 /><ref name="WLB">{{Cite web|url=https://westlondonbusiness.arlo.co/w/presenters/11633-konnie-huq|title=Our presenters – Presenters – West London Business |website=westlondonbusiness.arlo.co |publisher= West London Business|access-date=26 June 2020}}</ref>
Kanak Asha Huq was born in the [[Hammersmith]] district of [[London]] on 17 July 1975,<ref name="Joynes2018">{{cite book|first=Ella|last=Joynes|title=Baby Names 2019|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6yPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT270|date=August 2018|publisher=Crimson Publishing|isbn=978-1-910336-53-3|page=270}}</ref><ref name="SecretLife">{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-konnie-huq-tv-presenter-age-32-864535.html|title=My Secret Life: Konnie Huq, TV Presenter, age 32|date=12 July 2008|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528210138/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-konnie-huq-tv-presenter-age-32-864535.html|archive-date=28 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> the daughter of [[Muslim]] parents who emigrated from [[East Pakistan]] in the 1960s.<ref name="SecretLife" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8053988/Konnie-Huq-my-family-wanted-me-to-marry-a-Muslim.html |title=Konnie Huq: my family wanted me to marry a Muslim |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=10 October 2010 |access-date=15 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203200038/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8053988/Konnie-Huq-my-family-wanted-me-to-marry-a-Muslim.html |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Caesar1>{{cite web | last=Caesar |first=Ed |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3688458.ece |title=Konnie Huq is feeling the heat but still ready to carry the Olympic flame |work=The Times |date=6 April 2008}}</ref> She grew up in the [[Ealing]] district of London with her two elder sisters, Nutun, and future [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician [[Rupa Huq|Rupa]]. She attended [[Notting Hill & Ealing High School]] and obtained nine [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSEs]], then gained [[GCE Advanced Level|A-levels]] in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/uploads/File/CAMArticles/CAM%2052/My%20Time%20at%20Cambridge.pdf |title=My Time at Cambridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119072305/http://www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/uploads/File/CAMArticles/CAM%2052/My%20Time%20at%20Cambridge.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2012 }}</ref> She went on to study economics at [[Robinson College, Cambridge]], graduating with a [[2:1]] degree.<ref name=Caesar1 /><ref name="WLB">{{Cite web|url=https://westlondonbusiness.arlo.co/w/presenters/11633-konnie-huq|title=Our presenters – Presenters – West London Business |website=westlondonbusiness.arlo.co |publisher= West London Business|access-date=26 June 2020}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
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In December 2007, Huq appeared on a celebrity version of ''[[Ready Steady Cook]]'' with ''Blue Peter'' co-presenter [[Andy Akinwolere]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008mc1j|title=BBC 2 – Ready Steady Cook, Series 17, Episode 45|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 December 2011|date=30 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225001715/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008mc1j|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> She began presenting the [[ITV London|ITV1 London]] show ''London Talking'', a political debate show, alongside [[Vanessa Feltz]] and [[Nick Ferrari]] in 2007,<ref name="Judges and Hosts"/> and co-presented some of the weekly ''[[Your News]]'' programmes for ''[[BBC News (TV Channel)|BBC News]]'' in 2008.<ref name="YRNEWS">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2008/11/11/former-blue-peter-presenter-konnie-huq-goes-green-86908-20885327|title=Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq goes green|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|location=Scotland|access-date=4 December 2011 | date=11 November 2008}}</ref> Huq was the main presenter for the third series, in 2008, of [[Five (channel)|Channel Five]] show ''Zoo Days'', a documentary series about the animals and staff at [[Chester Zoo|Chester]] and [[Colchester Zoo|Colchester]] Zoos.<ref name="ZOOD">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel5.com/shows/zoo-days|title=Zoo Days – Channel Five|work=Zoo Days|publisher=Five|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103185652/http://www.channel5.com/shows/zoo-days|archive-date=3 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Huq presented The ''[[Red Bull Air Race]]'' with [[Dougie Anderson]] for Channel 4 in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/red-bull-air-race/episode-guide/series-1|title=Red Bull Air Race – Channel 4|work=Red Bull Air Race|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927212638/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/red-bull-air-race/episode-guide/series-1|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2007, Huq appeared on a celebrity version of ''[[Ready Steady Cook]]'' with ''Blue Peter'' co-presenter [[Andy Akinwolere]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008mc1j|title=BBC 2 – Ready Steady Cook, Series 17, Episode 45|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 December 2011|date=30 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225001715/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008mc1j|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> She began presenting the [[ITV London|ITV1 London]] show ''London Talking'', a political debate show, alongside [[Vanessa Feltz]] and [[Nick Ferrari]] in 2007,<ref name="Judges and Hosts"/> and co-presented some of the weekly ''[[Your News]]'' programmes for ''[[BBC News (TV Channel)|BBC News]]'' in 2008.<ref name="YRNEWS">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2008/11/11/former-blue-peter-presenter-konnie-huq-goes-green-86908-20885327|title=Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq goes green|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|location=Scotland|access-date=4 December 2011 | date=11 November 2008}}</ref> Huq was the main presenter for the third series, in 2008, of [[Five (channel)|Channel Five]] show ''Zoo Days'', a documentary series about the animals and staff at [[Chester Zoo|Chester]] and [[Colchester Zoo|Colchester]] Zoos.<ref name="ZOOD">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel5.com/shows/zoo-days|title=Zoo Days – Channel Five|work=Zoo Days|publisher=Five|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103185652/http://www.channel5.com/shows/zoo-days|archive-date=3 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Huq presented The ''[[Red Bull Air Race]]'' with [[Dougie Anderson]] for Channel 4 in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/red-bull-air-race/episode-guide/series-1|title=Red Bull Air Race – Channel 4|work=Red Bull Air Race|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927212638/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/red-bull-air-race/episode-guide/series-1|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>


Huq appeared with her future husband [[Charlie Brooker]] in his satirical review programme ''[[Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe|Screenwipe]]'' in December 2008 on [[BBC Four]]. She hosted a mock version of a "mission documentary" entitled ''Konnie's Great British [[Urination#Talking about urination|Wee]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2010/jul/25/konnie-huq-xtra-factor-charlie-brooker|title=Konnie Huq's growing pains|last=Wiseman|first=Eva|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=3 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="WEE">{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/charlie_brookers_screenwipe/episodes/5/4 |title=Screenwipe, episode 4, series 5|publisher=The British Comedy Guide|access-date=4 December 2011|date=9 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025041644/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/charlie_brookers_screenwipe/episodes/5/4/|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=live }}</ref> She was a guest on political show ''[[This Week (BBC TV series)|This Week]]'' on 18 December 2008, appearing with [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|M.P.]] [[Charles Kennedy]].<ref name="THISWEEK">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_week/7545346.stm|title=BBC This Week Guide|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 December 2011|date=18 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511062733/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_week/7545346.stm|archive-date=11 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
Huq appeared with her future husband [[Charlie Brooker]] in his satirical review programme ''[[Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe|Screenwipe]]'' in December 2008 on [[BBC Four]]. She hosted a mock version of a "mission documentary" entitled ''Konnie's Great British [[Urination#Talking about urination|Wee]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2010/jul/25/konnie-huq-xtra-factor-charlie-brooker|title=Konnie Huq's growing pains|last=Wiseman|first=Eva|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 July 2010 |access-date=3 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="WEE">{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/charlie_brookers_screenwipe/episodes/5/4 |title=Screenwipe, episode 4, series 5|publisher=The British Comedy Guide|access-date=4 December 2011|date=9 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025041644/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/charlie_brookers_screenwipe/episodes/5/4/|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=live }}</ref> She was a guest on political show ''[[This Week (BBC TV series)|This Week]]'' on 18 December 2008, appearing with [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|M.P.]] [[Charles Kennedy]].<ref name="THISWEEK">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_week/7545346.stm|title=BBC This Week Guide|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 December 2011|date=18 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511062733/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/this_week/7545346.stm|archive-date=11 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>


She presented ''[[Guinness World Records Smashed]]'' with [[Steve Jones (Welsh presenter)|Steve Jones]] on Sundays on Sky1 in 2009.<ref name="GWRS">{{cite web|url=http://sky1.sky.com/gwrs-about-the-show|title=About the show – Guinness World Records Smashed|publisher=SKY|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305163507/http://sky1.sky.com/gwrs-about-the-show|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 May 2009, Huq began to present entertainment show ''[[Hannah-Oke]]'' on [[The Disney Channel]] with [[Duncan James]]. The show was a "[[Hannah Montana]] themed [[karaoke]]-style game show".<ref name="HOKE">{{cite web|url=http://www.primarytimes.net/kids_times_whats_happening_hannah_oke.php|title=Disney Channel Reveals Celebrity Panel for its Brand New Karaoke Game Show – HANNAH-OKE|publisher=primarytimes.net|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526203825/http://www.primarytimes.net/kids_times_whats_happening_hannah_oke.php|archive-date=26 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Huq presented the [[The X Factor (UK series 7)|seventh series]] of ''[[The Xtra Factor (UK TV series)|The Xtra Factor]]'' on [[ITV2]], replacing [[Holly Willoughby]] who was unable to fulfil the role due to her ongoing commitments at ''[[This Morning (TV series)|This Morning]]''.<ref name="XTRA">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Darvill|url=http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/pre-xf/13265-konnie-huq-announced-as-new-xtra-factor-presenter.html|title=Konnie Huq announced as new Xtra Factor presenter|publisher=TellyMix|date=7 June 2010|access-date=9 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610053910/http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/pre-xf/13265-konnie-huq-announced-as-new-xtra-factor-presenter.html|archive-date=10 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
She presented ''[[Guinness World Records Smashed]]'' with [[Steve Jones (Welsh presenter)|Steve Jones]] on Sundays on Sky1 in 2009.<ref name="GWRS">{{cite web|url=http://sky1.sky.com/gwrs-about-the-show|title=About the show – Guinness World Records Smashed|publisher=SKY|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305163507/http://sky1.sky.com/gwrs-about-the-show|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 May 2009, Huq began to present entertainment show ''[[Hannah-Oke]]'' on [[Disney Channel|The Disney Channel]] with [[Duncan James]]. The show was a "[[Hannah Montana]] themed [[karaoke]]-style game show".<ref name="HOKE">{{cite web|url=http://www.primarytimes.net/kids_times_whats_happening_hannah_oke.php|title=Disney Channel Reveals Celebrity Panel for its Brand New Karaoke Game Show – HANNAH-OKE|publisher=primarytimes.net|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526203825/http://www.primarytimes.net/kids_times_whats_happening_hannah_oke.php|archive-date=26 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Huq presented the [[The X Factor (UK series 7)|seventh series]] of ''[[The Xtra Factor (British TV series)|The Xtra Factor]]'' on [[ITV2]], replacing [[Holly Willoughby]] who was unable to fulfil the role due to her ongoing commitments at ''[[This Morning (TV series)|This Morning]]''.<ref name="XTRA">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Darvill|url=http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/pre-xf/13265-konnie-huq-announced-as-new-xtra-factor-presenter.html|title=Konnie Huq announced as new Xtra Factor presenter|publisher=TellyMix|date=7 June 2010|access-date=9 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610053910/http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/pre-xf/13265-konnie-huq-announced-as-new-xtra-factor-presenter.html|archive-date=10 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>


In February 2011, Huq appeared in an episode of the [[ITV2]] documentary programme ''Under Pressure'', where she attempted to learn how to be a [[Rapping|rapper]]. Trailers for the show asked "Will Konnie Huq it up?"<ref name="UNPRESS">{{cite web |url=http://brit-asian.com/2011/27/01/news-konnie-huq-to-become-an-mc-for-itv2-show-2/|title=News: Konnie Huq To Become An MC For ITV2 Show!|publisher=brit-asian.com |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233454/http://brit-asian.com/2011/27/01/news-konnie-huq-to-become-an-mc-for-itv2-show-2/|archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was coached by [[Akala (rapper)|Akala]] and performed at [[The O2#indigO2|indigO2]].<ref name="roar" />
In February 2011, Huq appeared in an episode of the [[ITV2]] documentary programme ''Under Pressure'', where she attempted to learn how to be a [[Rapping|rapper]]. Trailers for the show asked "Will Konnie Huq it up?"<ref name="UNPRESS">{{cite web |url=http://brit-asian.com/2011/27/01/news-konnie-huq-to-become-an-mc-for-itv2-show-2/|title=News: Konnie Huq To Become An MC For ITV2 Show!|publisher=brit-asian.com |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233454/http://brit-asian.com/2011/27/01/news-konnie-huq-to-become-an-mc-for-itv2-show-2/|archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was coached by [[Akala (rapper)|Akala]] and performed at [[The O2#indigO2|indigO2]].<ref name="roar" />
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For two consecutive years she presented the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]]'s ''Live from Stratford upon Avon'', a web project aimed at showing theatre productions in schools. In July 2012, the project web-streamed a performance of ''[[Tim Crouch#I, Cinna (The Poet)|I, Cinna (The Poet)]]'', a play by [[Tim Crouch]] about the poet in Shakespeare's play ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' killed by a mob after being mistaken for a conspirator. In November 2013 a recording of the [[Shakespeare's Globe|Globe Theatre]] production of ''[[Richard II (play)|Richard II]]'' was shown in 3,000 schools. The performances were followed by a question-and-answer session hosted by Huq.<ref name="RSC">{{cite web|url=https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/viewfinder/articles/opening-the-window-on-shakespeares-biggest-classroom/|title=Opening the window on Shakespeare's biggest classroom|last=Storey|first=Taryn|website=learningonscreen.ac.uk|publisher=[[British Universities Film & Video Council|British Universities and Colleges Film and Video Council]]|access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref>
For two consecutive years she presented the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]]'s ''Live from Stratford upon Avon'', a web project aimed at showing theatre productions in schools. In July 2012, the project web-streamed a performance of ''[[Tim Crouch#I, Cinna (The Poet)|I, Cinna (The Poet)]]'', a play by [[Tim Crouch]] about the poet in Shakespeare's play ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' killed by a mob after being mistaken for a conspirator. In November 2013 a recording of the [[Shakespeare's Globe|Globe Theatre]] production of ''[[Richard II (play)|Richard II]]'' was shown in 3,000 schools. The performances were followed by a question-and-answer session hosted by Huq.<ref name="RSC">{{cite web|url=https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/viewfinder/articles/opening-the-window-on-shakespeares-biggest-classroom/|title=Opening the window on Shakespeare's biggest classroom|last=Storey|first=Taryn|website=learningonscreen.ac.uk|publisher=[[British Universities Film & Video Council|British Universities and Colleges Film and Video Council]]|access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref>


In May 2022 the BBC announced that Huq would be one of the guest presenters to take over [[Richard Osman]]'s role on [[Pointless]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/pointless-guest-host-line-up|title=Guest host line-up for BBC One’s Pointless revealed|date=27 May 2022|accessdate=1 November 2022|work=BBC}}</ref>
In May 2022 the BBC announced that Huq would be one of the guest presenters to take over [[Richard Osman]]'s role on [[Pointless]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/pointless-guest-host-line-up|title=Guest host line-up for BBC One's Pointless revealed|date=27 May 2022|accessdate=1 November 2022|work=BBC}}</ref>


====Radio====
====Radio====
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In 2005, Huq took part in the BBC One fundraising show ''[[Comic Relief Does Fame Academy]]''. She was the third contestant to be voted off, after her rendition of [[Kim Wilde]]'s ''[[Kids in America (song)|Kids in America]]''.<ref name="CRFA">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/04/overnights|title=6m see Comic Relief Fame Academy skit|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 March 2005|access-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204054917/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/04/overnights|archive-date=4 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4317323.stm|title=Blue Peter's Huq leaves Academy|work=BBC News|date=4 March 2005|access-date=7 December 2011}}</ref> She travelled to [[Uganda]] and met orphaned children on behalf of [[Comic Relief]].<ref name="COMREL">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/02_february/01/comic_relief_tv.shtml|title=Comic Relief 2005: Red Nose Day – Big Hair and Beyond... just do something|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=1 February 2008|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 June 2020 }}</ref>
In 2005, Huq took part in the BBC One fundraising show ''[[Comic Relief Does Fame Academy]]''. She was the third contestant to be voted off, after her rendition of [[Kim Wilde]]'s ''[[Kids in America (song)|Kids in America]]''.<ref name="CRFA">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/04/overnights|title=6m see Comic Relief Fame Academy skit|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 March 2005|access-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204054917/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/04/overnights|archive-date=4 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4317323.stm|title=Blue Peter's Huq leaves Academy|work=BBC News|date=4 March 2005|access-date=7 December 2011}}</ref> She travelled to [[Uganda]] and met orphaned children on behalf of [[Comic Relief]].<ref name="COMREL">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/02_february/01/comic_relief_tv.shtml|title=Comic Relief 2005: Red Nose Day – Big Hair and Beyond... just do something|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=1 February 2008|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 June 2020 }}</ref>


Huq travelled to [[Afghanistan]] with the charity Afghanaid to film a BBC ''Lifelines'' appeal, which was aired on 21 September 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIAkRFs8LTY|title=Afghanaid Appeal – Lifeline – BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419171355/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIAkRFs8LTY |archive-date=19 April 2016|work=YouTube}}</ref> and the following year she travelled to India as part of [[Rotary International]]'s "Thanks for Life/End Polio Now" campaign. She administered [[Polio vaccine]] to children as part of the trip.<ref name="POLIO">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8371245.stm|title=Presenter Konnie Huq joins Indian campaign to end polio|last=Huq|first=Konnie|date=22 December 2009|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref>
Huq travelled to [[Afghanistan]] with the charity Afghanaid to film a BBC ''Lifelines'' appeal, which was aired on 21 September 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIAkRFs8LTY|title=Afghanaid Appeal – Lifeline – BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419171355/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIAkRFs8LTY |archive-date=19 April 2016|work=YouTube}}</ref> and the following year she travelled to India as part of [[Rotary International]]'s "Thanks for Life/End Polio Now" campaign. She administered [[polio vaccine]] to children as part of the trip.<ref name="POLIO">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8371245.stm|title=Presenter Konnie Huq joins Indian campaign to end polio|last=Huq|first=Konnie|date=22 December 2009|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref>


As a celebrity ambassador for the [[British Red Cross]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Celebrity-support/Entertainment-and-Artists-Supporters-Network/Konnie-Huq|title=Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216025614/http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Celebrity-support/Entertainment-and-Artists-Supporters-Network/Konnie-Huq |archive-date=16 December 2011|work=British Red Cross}}</ref> Huq appeared in the 2009 video "If I had HIV, would you kiss me?" which was part of a campaign against the stigmatisation of people living with [[HIV]] and [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]].<ref name="SEDUCTRESS">{{cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |title=Konnie Huq turns seductress for HIV awareness ad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/nov/19/konnie-huq-hiv-awareness |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806214527/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/nov/19/konnie-huq-hiv-awareness |archive-date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc |title=Video: If I had HIV, would you kiss me? |via=YouTube |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=9 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725171822/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc |archive-date=25 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was an ambassador for Gold Challenge, part of the official mass participation legacy programme for the London [[2012 Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/our_news/gold_challenge.aspx|title=Gold Challenge launches your chance to be part of London 2012's sporting legacy|publisher=sportengland.org|access-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405221043/http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/our_news/gold_challenge.aspx|archive-date=5 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising/thegoldchallenge|title=The Gold Challenge|publisher=Down's Syndrome Scotland|access-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226100417/http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising/thegoldchallenge|archive-date=26 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
As a celebrity ambassador for the [[British Red Cross]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Celebrity-support/Entertainment-and-Artists-Supporters-Network/Konnie-Huq|title=Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216025614/http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Celebrity-support/Entertainment-and-Artists-Supporters-Network/Konnie-Huq |archive-date=16 December 2011|work=British Red Cross}}</ref> Huq appeared in the 2009 video "If I had HIV, would you kiss me?" which was part of a campaign against the stigmatisation of people living with [[HIV]] and [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]].<ref name="SEDUCTRESS">{{cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |title=Konnie Huq turns seductress for HIV awareness ad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/nov/19/konnie-huq-hiv-awareness |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806214527/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/nov/19/konnie-huq-hiv-awareness |archive-date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc |title=Video: If I had HIV, would you kiss me? |via=YouTube |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=9 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725171822/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc |archive-date=25 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was an ambassador for Gold Challenge, part of the official mass participation legacy programme for the London [[2012 Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/our_news/gold_challenge.aspx|title=Gold Challenge launches your chance to be part of London 2012's sporting legacy|publisher=sportengland.org|access-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405221043/http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/our_news/gold_challenge.aspx|archive-date=5 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising/thegoldchallenge|title=The Gold Challenge|publisher=Down's Syndrome Scotland|access-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226100417/http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising/thegoldchallenge|archive-date=26 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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| 1997–2008 || ''[[Blue Peter]]'' || Main presenter alongside [[List of Blue Peter presenters|various co-presenters]] ||<ref name="LONGPETER" />
| 1997–2008 || ''[[Blue Peter]]'' || Main presenter alongside [[List of Blue Peter presenters|various co-presenters]] ||<ref name="LONGPETER" />
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''[[The Kumars at No 42]]'' || Herself ||<ref name="BFI">{{cite web |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb0868569 |title=Konnie Huq |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=bfi.org.uk |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=27 June 2020}}</ref>
| 2001 || ''[[The Kumars at No 42]]'' || Herself ||<ref name="BFI">{{cite web |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb0868569 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629044430/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb0868569 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2020 |title=Konnie Huq |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=bfi.org.uk |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=27 June 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2002–2004 || ''UK Top 40'' || Main presenter alongside [[Adrian Dickson]] ||<ref name="TOP40" />
| 2002–2004 || ''UK Top 40'' || Main presenter alongside [[Adrian Dickson]] ||<ref name="TOP40" />
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| rowspan=3 | 2011 || ''Lonely Planet'' || Reporter ||<ref name="CBROWN">{{cite web |url=https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/konnie-huq |title=Konnie Huq |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=curtisbrown.co.uk |publisher=Curtis Brown |access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref><!--Not a very impartial source, but OK to support uncontroversial info. -->
| rowspan=3 | 2011 || ''Lonely Planet'' || Reporter ||<ref name="CBROWN">{{cite web |url=https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/konnie-huq |title=Konnie Huq |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=curtisbrown.co.uk |publisher=Curtis Brown |access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref><!--Not a very impartial source, but OK to support uncontroversial info. -->
|-
|-
| ''[[Would I Lie to You? (TV series)|Would I Lie to You?]]'' || Guest panellist ||<ref name="WILIE">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015qqnw |title=Would I Lie to You? |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329121533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015qqnw |archive-date=29 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| ''[[Would I Lie to You? (British game show)|Would I Lie to You?]]'' || Guest panellist ||<ref name="WILIE">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015qqnw |title=Would I Lie to You? |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329121533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015qqnw |archive-date=29 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''Under Pressure'' || Herself ||<ref name="UNPRESS" />
| ''Under Pressure'' || Herself ||<ref name="UNPRESS" />
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|-
|-
| rowspan=1 | 2022 ||''[[Mandy (TV series)|Mandy]]'' || Herself, Episode: SpaceMandy ||<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC Two - Mandy, Series 2, SpaceMandy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09vc60x|access-date=2022-01-09|website=BBC|language=en-GB}}</ref>
| rowspan=1 | 2022 ||''[[Mandy (TV series)|Mandy]]'' || Herself, Episode: SpaceMandy ||<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC Two - Mandy, Series 2, SpaceMandy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09vc60x|access-date=2022-01-09|website=BBC|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=1 | 2023 ||''[[Pointless]]'' || Herself ||
|-
|-
|}
|}
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* [http://sky1.sky.com/konnie-huq-behind-the-scenes-interview Konnie Huq Guinness World Records Smashed Interview] Sky 1
* [http://sky1.sky.com/konnie-huq-behind-the-scenes-interview Konnie Huq Guinness World Records Smashed Interview] Sky 1


{{S-start}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Romana D'Annunzio]]
| title = ''[[Blue Peter]]'' Presenter No. 26
| years = 1997–2008
| after = N/A
Not Replaced
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Blue Peter presenters}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:English people of Bangladeshi descent]]
[[Category:English people of Bangladeshi descent]]
[[Category:Television personalities from London]]
[[Category:Television personalities from London]]
[[Category:Writers from London]]
[[Category:Writers from the London Borough of Ealing]]
[[Category:Writers from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]]
[[Category:British Asian writers]]
[[Category:British Asian writers]]
[[Category:English television writers]]
[[Category:English television writers]]
[[Category:British women television writers]]
[[Category:British women television writers]]
[[Category:BBC Asian Network presenters]]
[[Category:BBC Asian Network presenters]]
[[Category:Blue Peter presenters]]
[[Category:British children's television presenters]]
[[Category:Women radio presenters]]
[[Category:British radio presenters]]
[[Category:Top of the Pops presenters]]
[[Category:British women radio presenters]]
[[Category:People educated at Notting Hill & Ealing High School]]
[[Category:People educated at Notting Hill & Ealing High School]]
[[Category:People from Hammersmith]]

Latest revision as of 11:23, 19 May 2024

Konnie Huq
Huq in 2006
Born
Kanak Asha Huq

(1975-07-17) 17 July 1975 (age 48)
London, England
EducationNotting Hill & Ealing High School
Alma materRobinson College, Cambridge
Occupation(s)Presenter, screenwriter, author
Years active1994–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2010)​
Children2
RelativesRupa Huq (sister)
Websitekonnie-huq.com

Kanak Asha "Konnie" Huq (/ˈhʌk/; born 17 July 1975) is a British television and radio presenter, screenwriter and children's author. She became the longest-serving female presenter of the British children's television programme Blue Peter, presenting it from 1997 to 2008. She has been a presenter and guest of shows including the 2010 series of The Xtra Factor on ITV2.

She co-wrote the Black Mirror episode "Fifteen Million Merits" with her husband, Charlie Brooker. Her children's book Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World was published in 2019. She published the follow-up, Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World, in 2020 along with her third children's book, Fearless Fairy Tales: The Perfect Book for Homeschooling Fun and Inspiration.

Early life[edit]

Kanak Asha Huq was born in the Hammersmith district of London on 17 July 1975,[1][2] the daughter of Muslim parents who emigrated from East Pakistan in the 1960s.[2][3][4] She grew up in the Ealing district of London with her two elder sisters, Nutun, and future Labour Party politician Rupa. She attended Notting Hill & Ealing High School and obtained nine GCSEs, then gained A-levels in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.[5] She went on to study economics at Robinson College, Cambridge, graduating with a 2:1 degree.[4][6]

Career[edit]

Early work[edit]

Huq trained part-time at the National Youth Music Theatre.[7] In 1989, at the age of 14, she appeared with them on Blue Peter and sang a solo.[8] The following year, she appeared alongside Jude Law in Captain Stirrick, a National Youth Music Theatre production.[9]

Before the 1992 general election, Huq interviewed Labour leader Neil Kinnock for the children's programme Newsround, and appeared as a contestant on Blockbusters in the same year.[10] She appeared as an uncredited extra playing a schoolgirl in the BBC1 sitcom 2point4 Children in the Series 2 episode "I'm Going Slightly Mad".[11]

Her presenting debut, at the age of 16, was on the satellite television show, TVFM.[12] She then appeared on a GMTV Saturday morning children's quiz show entitled Eat Your Words between 1994 and 1996.[13] She was assisted by Mark Speight before Simon Parkin took over. In 1997, several months before joining Blue Peter, Huq presented Channel Five's early morning children's programme Milkshake![14]

Blue Peter[edit]

Huq presented the BBC children's television programme Blue Peter, starting on 1 December 1997.[15][16] Early in her term as a presenter, she visited the village in Bangladesh where earlier generations of her family lived.[15] In the programme's 2004 Summer Expedition to India, Huq became an extra in the Bollywood film Musafir (2004), and practised dancing alongside its stars.[17][18] For the programme's 2004 Welcome Home appeal, she visited Angola, hoping to reunite children and their families who had been separated due to war.[19] In 2008, during her last programme, she broke a Guinness World Record by pinning 17 Blue Peter Badges onto fellow presenter Andy Akinwolere's shirt in a minute.[20] In March 2007, she apologised on air on behalf of the programme to viewers, after the result of a competition to identify the celebrity owner of a pair of shoes was faked.[21]

On 31 May 2007, Huq announced she would be leaving Blue Peter. On 22 January 2008, she hosted her final Blue Peter, with a clip show of her highlights through the ten years she had been on the programme.[22] She is the third longest-serving Blue Peter presenter and its longest-serving female host, having passed Valerie Singleton's record on 1 October 2007.[23] She holds the record for working with the most co-presenters while on the show, with a total of 10. These are Stuart Miles, Katy Hill, Romana D'Annunzio, Richard Bacon, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker, Liz Barker, Zoe Salmon, Gethin Jones and Andy Akinwolere.

Other work[edit]

Presenting and panel shows[edit]

Huq in 2009

Between 2002 and 2004, Huq co-presented the CBBC Channel's UK Top 40 chart show and in early 2003 she was briefly a presenter for Top of the Pops.[24][25][26] She presented GMTV's LK today coverage of New York Fashion Week on the week of 10 September 2007.[26] In June 2007 she was a guest panellist on the comedy gameshow 8 out of 10 Cats.[27]

In December 2007, Huq appeared on a celebrity version of Ready Steady Cook with Blue Peter co-presenter Andy Akinwolere.[28] She began presenting the ITV1 London show London Talking, a political debate show, alongside Vanessa Feltz and Nick Ferrari in 2007,[26] and co-presented some of the weekly Your News programmes for BBC News in 2008.[29] Huq was the main presenter for the third series, in 2008, of Channel Five show Zoo Days, a documentary series about the animals and staff at Chester and Colchester Zoos.[30] Huq presented The Red Bull Air Race with Dougie Anderson for Channel 4 in 2008.[31]

Huq appeared with her future husband Charlie Brooker in his satirical review programme Screenwipe in December 2008 on BBC Four. She hosted a mock version of a "mission documentary" entitled Konnie's Great British Wee.[32][33] She was a guest on political show This Week on 18 December 2008, appearing with M.P. Charles Kennedy.[34]

She presented Guinness World Records Smashed with Steve Jones on Sundays on Sky1 in 2009.[35] On 15 May 2009, Huq began to present entertainment show Hannah-Oke on The Disney Channel with Duncan James. The show was a "Hannah Montana themed karaoke-style game show".[36] Huq presented the seventh 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.[37]

In February 2011, Huq appeared in an episode of the ITV2 documentary programme Under Pressure, where she attempted to learn how to be a rapper. Trailers for the show asked "Will Konnie Huq it up?"[38] She was coached by Akala and performed at indigO2.[15]

For two consecutive years she presented the Royal Shakespeare Company's Live from Stratford upon Avon, a web project aimed at showing theatre productions in schools. In July 2012, the project web-streamed a performance of I, Cinna (The Poet), a play by Tim Crouch about the poet in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar killed by a mob after being mistaken for a conspirator. In November 2013 a recording of the Globe Theatre production of Richard II was shown in 3,000 schools. The performances were followed by a question-and-answer session hosted by Huq.[39]

In May 2022 the BBC announced that Huq would be one of the guest presenters to take over Richard Osman's role on Pointless. [40]

Radio[edit]

On 15 September 2006, Huq became one of the presenters of The Tube with Tony Wilson, Alex James and Emily Rose on Channel 4 Radio[41] working with production company UKoneFM. The first edition was broadcast on 3 November 2006.[42] Huq made her debut as a news presenter on the BBC Asian Network in September 2007,[43] in a series of documentaries on a radio current affairs programme called the Asian Network Report.[2] She presented an episode of Archive on 4 in 2010, reviewing forty years of Sesame Street.[44] In 2013, she took part in the Radio 4 biographical series Great Lives, where participants select someone who has inspired them, and chose Ada Lovelace.[45]

Cameo appearances[edit]

She appeared as herself in The Kumars at No 42 in 2001.[46] In 2007, she had minor roles in The Sarah Jane Adventures episode "Invasion of the Bane",[47] and in the CBBC series M.I.High episode "The Big Freeze".[48] She played herself again in the FM episode "Golden Lady" in March 2009.[49] She played a villainous servant (also called Konnie) in the last episode of the second series of Robin Hood.[50]

In 2013, Huq played a presenter of the fictional telethon "Help a Blameless Child" in television comedy series A Touch of Cloth.[51] In 2019, she appeared briefly as a breakfast television presenter of the in-universe show Pam & Sam in Good Omens, which was based on the book written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.[52]

Screenwriting and conferences[edit]

In December 2009, Huq won the Best Rising Star Screenplay Angel award at the Monaco International Film Festival for her screenplay Ahmed and Mildred,[53][54] a story described as "a superhero themed journey into the imagination of two young infants as they experience love at first sight."[55] In March 2014, Ahmed and Mildred was selected as one of the projects to receive funding from Film London to enable production to take place.[56]

She co-wrote the second episode of the Channel 4 anthology series Black Mirror, "Fifteen Million Merits", which is a satire of entertainment shows, with her husband Charlie Brooker.[57] An installation featuring extracts from the episode was installed at the Barbican Centre as part of the science-fiction themed exhibition "Into the Unknown" in 2017.[58]

On 14 October 2014, Huq was one of the speakers celebrating Ada Lovelace Day at the Royal Institution.[59] On 29 June 2016, Huq hosted VOOM 2016, a pitch competition, for Virgin Media Business.[60][61]

Children's books[edit]

Her book for children Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World was published in 2019 and is the first of a projected three-book series.[62] The book centres around the fictional character Cookie Haque, a schoolchild who enjoys learning about science, and what happens when her best friend moves away, and a boy that Cookie considers the most annoying boy in the world moves next door. Huq wrote and illustrated the book.[63][62][64] The character of Cookie has been described by Huq as "a cross between Wimpy Kid and Bridget Jones."[64] As of May 2020, the next book in the series, with a theme of climate change, was due to be published in August 2020.[64]

Philanthropy[edit]

Huq administering a polio vaccine in Lucknow during a campaign to eradicate polio in India in 2009

In 2005, Huq took part in the BBC One fundraising show Comic Relief Does Fame Academy. She was the third contestant to be voted off, after her rendition of Kim Wilde's Kids in America.[65][66] She travelled to Uganda and met orphaned children on behalf of Comic Relief.[67]

Huq travelled to Afghanistan with the charity Afghanaid to film a BBC Lifelines appeal, which was aired on 21 September 2008,[68] and the following year she travelled to India as part of Rotary International's "Thanks for Life/End Polio Now" campaign. She administered polio vaccine to children as part of the trip.[69]

As a celebrity ambassador for the British Red Cross,[70] Huq appeared in the 2009 video "If I had HIV, would you kiss me?" which was part of a campaign against the stigmatisation of people living with HIV and AIDS.[71][72] She was an ambassador for Gold Challenge, part of the official mass participation legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games.[73][74]

Personal life[edit]

On 26 July 2010, Huq married writer and satirist Charlie Brooker at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas after a nine-month relationship.[75][76] They have two sons.[77] Huq has said she reduced her television commitments so that she could focus on her children.[78]

Huq supported the Labour Party at the 2010 general election.[79] Her sister, Rupa, was elected as the Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton at the 2015 general election.[80]

On 6 April 2008, Huq participated in the London leg of the Summer Olympics torch relay as one of 80 torch carriers on the torch's journey to Beijing. In Ladbroke Grove, a protester tried to grab the torch from her as she was about to hand it to the next runner. She was not hurt in the incident, though police wrestled the protester to the ground and arrested him.[81]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.
1991 TVFM Presenter [12]
1992 Blockbusters Contestant [10]
2point4 Children Extra [11]
1994 Eat Your Words Main presenter [13]
1997 The Mag Presenter for Channel 5's youth show [82]
Milkshake! Main presenter alongside Lucy Alexander [14]
1997–2008 Blue Peter Main presenter alongside various co-presenters [23]
2001 The Kumars at No 42 Herself [46]
2002–2004 UK Top 40 Main presenter alongside Adrian Dickson [24]
2005 Comic Relief Does Fame Academy Contestant (out third) [65]
2006 The Tube Main presenter alongside Tony Wilson, Alex James and Emily Rose [41]
2007 The Sarah Jane Adventures Cameo appearance in the episode Invasion of the Bane [47]
M.I.High Minor character [48]
8 out of 10 Cats Panellist [27]
New York Fashion Week Main presenter for GMTV coverage [26]
London Talking Main presenter alongside Vanessa Feltz and Nick Ferrari [26]
Robin Hood A servant called Konnie [50]
2008 Your News Main presenter alongside Laura Jones, Manish Bhasin and Adam Parsons [29]
The Weakest Link Contestant on Blue Peter special [83]
UK School Games Main presenter alongside Nigel Clarke [46]
When Beauty Goes Wrong Main presenter [46]
Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe Presenter of the mock documentary in Episode 4 "Konnie's Great British Wee" [33]
Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? Contestant [84]
2008–2009 Zoo Days Presenter of the Colchester edition of the show [30]
2009 Noel's HQ Reporter [85]
Guinness World Records Smashed Main presenter alongside Steve Jones [35]
Hannah-Oke Main presenter alongside Duncan James [36]
The Wright Stuff Panellist for the Week [46]
The Daily Politics Guest reporter [86]
Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie Celebrity participant [87]
2010 The Archive Hour: Open Sesame Guest reporter [44]
The Xtra Factor Main presenter from Series 7 [37]
Mind Your Language Main presenter [88]
71 Degrees North Contestant Series 1 [46]
This Week Guest reporter [34]
Shocked Britain Main presenter [7]
2011 Lonely Planet Reporter [89]
Would I Lie to You? Guest panellist [90]
Under Pressure Herself [38]
2012 The Real Hustle: Celebrity Chancers Celebrity Hustler [91]
Pointless Celebrities Contestant paired with Angellica Bell [92]
Celebrity Blockbusters Contestant [93]
This Week Guest reporter [34]
2013 Daybreak Guest reporter [94]
A Touch of Cloth Series II Herself [51]
Great Lives Episode 31: Ada Lovelace [45]
2015 King of the Nerds Main Presenter [63]
This Morning Guest [95]
Sunday Brunch Guest [96]
2016 The One Show Presenter [63]
The Penguin Podcast Podcast interview with James Oswald [97]
2017 The Penguin Podcast Podcast interviews with Tom Fletcher, Harriet Harman, Jo Nesbo and Carlo Rovelli [98][99][100][101]
2019 Good Omens Pam [52]
Sunday Brunch Herself [96]
2020 Great British Menu Herself [102]
Charlie Brooker's Antiviral Wipe Herself (also Autocue Op and Hair and Make-up) [103]
2021 Sunday Brunch Herself
2022 Mandy Herself, Episode: SpaceMandy [104]
2023 Pointless Herself

Bibliography[edit]

Year Title Publisher ISBN
2020 Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World Piccadilly Press ISBN 978-1-8481-2809-5
2020 Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World Piccadilly Press ISBN 978-1-8481-2893-4
2020 Fearless Fairy Tales Piccadilly Press ISBN 978-1-8481-2811-8

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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