21st February 1997 - 19th October 1998
Born: 30th November 1975
Presented with Stuart Miles, Katy Hill, Romana D'Annunzio and Konnie Huq.
Richard began his media career making tea at BBC Radio Nottingham and went on to spend three years at the station working as a News Reporter. During this time he fondly recalls interviewing Nicole Kidman and reporting on sunburnt pigs.
In February 1996 Richard joined L!ve TV as reporter, a risky job risk which saw him being banned from the State Opening of Parliament and having beer thrown over him by Damon Albarn when he tried to interview the singer when he left a nightclub.
In February 1997 Richard became the 24th Blue Peter presenter. During his time with the show he witnessed the opening of the Blue Peter Millennium Time Capsule, went to Canada and Mexico and underwent training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
Richard's career with Blue Peter came to an abrupt end when his contract was terminated after a report in the the press telling the world that he had taken cocaine. After his dismissal, the then Head of BBC children's programmes, Lorraine Heggessey, went on air to explain the situation to CBBC viewers.
At the time Richard also released a statement which read, "I fully accept and agree with the decision that has been taken. I regret what I did but it was in my personal time and I therefore hope that it does not reflect on the show. I am very grateful to Blue Peter for the opportunity it has given me and am very sorry that I have let everybody down."
Despite the sacking, Richard's career didn't seem to suffer and following a stint as a roving reporter for The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 he landed the plum role of co-presenting the show with Amanda Byram.
Since leaving the Big Breakfast he has presented Rent Free and Get Staffed for BBC Choice. He also has participated in Have I Got News For You and was part of the regular panel on The Vicious Circle on Channel 5.
Richard currently presents the Friday drivetime and Sunday afternoon shows on Xfm, and recently presented inserts on BBC3's Johnny Vaughan Tonight.
Top Blue Peter moment: Training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
