Noel Edmonds has beaten Ant and Dec to be named the nation’s favourite children’s TV presenter – by parents.

While Ant and Dec may be the current kings of family entertainment television – hosting shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent – when mothers and fathers were asked in a new poll to name the UK’s top children’s TV presenters, it was Noel who came out as number one.

The 66-year-old hosted BBC Saturday morning show Swap Shop from 1976 to 1982.

And and Dec used to host SMTV Live (Martyn Hayhow/PA)
And and Dec used to host SMTV Live (Martyn Hayhow/PA)

And and Dec, who presented ITV’s SMTV Live from 1998 to 2001, were voted into second place by the 1,294 parents surveyed on behalf of Chad Valley toys to celebrate its new educational range, PlaySmart.

Blue Peter’s Valerie Singleton was named third favourite, while Chris Tarrant took fourth place for his work on 1970s ITV show Tiswas.

Phillip Schofield in The Broom Cupboard (BBC)
Phillip Schofield in The Broom Cupboard (BBC)

This Morning host Phillip Schofield – who launched Children’s BBC in 1985 presenting from The Broom Cupboard – came in at number five.

Blue Peter was voted the most educational children’s TV show, with more than 50 per cent of parents surveyed naming it the programme that taught them the most.

UK’s Top 10 Children’s TV presenters

1. Noel Edmonds – Swap Shop

2. Ant and Dec – SMTV Live

3. Valerie Singleton – Blue Peter

4. Chris Tarrant – Tiswas

5. Phillip Schofield – The Broom Cupboard

6. Eamonn Andrews – Crackerjack

7. John Craven – Newsround

8. Pat Sharp – Fun House

9. Floella Benjamin – Play School

10. Michaela Strachan – The Really Wild Show