15th May 1978 to 23rd June 1986

Born: 12th August 1950

Presented with Lesley Judd, Christopher Wenner, Tina Heath, Peter Duncan, Sarah Greene, Janet Ellis and Michael Sundin.

Simon Groom was brought up on his parent's farm in Derbyshire, but rather than follow in his father's footsteps, he decided to pursue a career in teaching.

Far from being a stuffy type, Simon had a cool and trendy side and moonlighted as a DJ under the name Neil St John. It was in this capacity that he was first spotted by Blue Peter viewers, during a report where Lesley Judd and John Noakes were shown strutting their stuff at a West End basement bar.

Joining Simon on his first day was Goldie, a seven week old golden retriever puppy, chosen to replace Shep. Simon and Goldie were an instant hit with viewers who watched eagerly for reports of the dog's progress and the birth of her puppies.

Simon Groom left in 1986, but he continued to work on Blue Peter as the show's countryside correspondent (alongside Goldie). He also appeared in a documentary for Blue Peter Night in 1998, which marked the 40th anniversary of the show.

Simon lives in Matlock, Derbyshire and now heads his own television production company. He also presents Groom's Gold - "two hours of great music and nostalgia to brighten your weekend" for BBC Radio Sheffield.

Simon lists his most embarrassing moment as announcing on Blue Peter: "One of Goldie's puppies is going to become a blind dog for the guides."

Top Blue Peter moment: Sliding down a rope from Tower Bridge.