Blue Peter
Brought in to the show when Valerie Singleton began to diversify her television career in 1971, Judd initially presented with Singleton as well as John Noakes and Peter Purves, the partnership with Noakes and Purves lasting until 1978 and remaining the show's longest-running line-up. Judd's tenure on Blue Peter was often in doubt and she was retained for much of her seven years on the show on short term 3 month contracts. When her marriage broke down in 1975 and her ex-husband threatened to 'tell all' to the tabloid press, Sally James was lined up to replace Judd on Blue Peter. Eventually, the storm blew over and Judd remained with the show.
During her time on the show she was criticised in the UK press when she divorced her first husband, actor Derek Fowlds (former 'straight' man to TV Puppet Basil Brush), and married a Blue Peter film editor Terry Gabell, whom she also later divorced. It was her second husband's multiple sclerosis that caused her to leave Blue Peter in 1979.
During her time on Blue Peter, Judd also presented the spin-off series Blue Peter Special Assignment.
Read more about this topic: Lesley Judd