Naomi Wilkinson spent her early childhood watching PlayAway, the popular children’s television show.
“I loved Press Gang too,” she says, referring to the 1989-1993 TV drama about a newspaper run by youngsters. “Julia Sawalha played the editor, she was a good, strong role model for young girls.”
Now Naomi has become something of a role model to young viewers herself. She’s one of the popular presenters of Milkshake!, the children’s entertainment strand on Five. The team presents wacky links between a series of much-loved shows aimed at pre-school children.
Now she’s presenting – and producing – a live version of Milkshake!, aimed at two to six-year-olds, which is coming to Bradford.
“It’s different from the TV version because characters in all the various shows come together,” says Naomi. “In the first half, we try to find out which characters can help us put on a show and in the second act we perform the actual show, with the help of characters like Rupert the Bear, Peppa Pig, Fifi and Bumble, Little Princess, the Mr Men and Noddy. It’s lots of fun.”
Naomi says that for most youngsters, it’s their first taste of theatre. “They get so excited and become wrapped up in all the action. You feel the buzz when you walk on stage, it brings a lump to my throat,” she says. “There’s song and dance, and little stories that have a message.”
Naomi is conscious of the responsibility that comes with presenting children’s programmes. “Children learn important lessons through them and soak everything up. You have to get it just right in the way you communicate,” she says. “Milkshake! features traditional children’s characters that parents and grandparents remember, like Rupert the Bear and Noddy, as well as more contemporary ones. The characters are computer-generated, giving them a fresher, more modern look.”
Bristol-born Naomi also voices some characters from Milkshake! programmes, including Mist from Sheepdog Tales.
Naomi is known for her signature dance routines, so it’s no surprise to learn she’s a trained dancer. Her entertainment career took off at Butlins where she was a Redcoat.
“I was a children’s entertainer. It was hard work and long hours but a great experience,” she says. “I’m proud of being a Redcoat. Some big names in entertainment started off that way. I wanted to get into TV presenting, so I made a home video and sent it off.”
It paid off when she was picked to present breakfast show Wakey Wakey for a digital channel. She joined Milkshake! in 2000 and is the longest-serving presenter. In 2005, she co-produced the Bafta-nominated A Milkshake Summer.
Other children’s TV shows she has presented include CiTV’s Finger Tips and The Yuk Show. And with a new dance series, Milkshake! Bop Box, in production, it looks like it’s turning into another busy year for Naomi.
- Milkshake! is at St George’s Hall from April 14 to 16. For tickets ring (01274) 432000
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