A Woodford Green student, who has faced difficult tasks including trekking through jungles and eating insects, is just one step away from becoming the next Blue Peter presenter.

Ilford Recorder: L-R: Freddie Ingleby, Lindsey Russell and Ben Hunte make the final three.L-R: Freddie Ingleby, Lindsey Russell and Ben Hunte make the final three. (Image: Archant)

Twenty-one-year-old Ben Hunte has made it through four weeks of challenges and he is now one of three competing to land the dream job of presenting on the long-running CBBC show.

Viewers will decide the winner on Monday when the trio, after meeting Blue Peter presenters Barney Harwood and Helen Skelton for the first time, face their final challenge of the series – taking part in a recording in the Blue Peter studio.

The Nottingham University student, who has recently completed his degree in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, said: “It feels incredible to be in the final three. I don’t think it’s hit me yet how completely amazing this actually is.

“I think the toughest challenge so far has to be the short interviews we did in central London because it was really hard approaching people knowing they had absolutely no idea who I was.”

Mr Hunte’s studies have allowed him to travel the world and he has written a blog about his experiences which have included eating insects and climbing mountains while in Malaysia.

He said: “The hardest thing about presenting is learning scripts. I have no experience so when we were sent them I not only had to learn them, but I had to come up with how to learn them too.”

More than 20,000 people registered their interest in becoming the new Blue Peter presenter and were whittled down to just 10, a month ago.

He added: “I think children should vote for me because I’m always laughing and I’m up for anything. I believe I can make amazing childrens TV whilst having a great time and I think that will come across on screen.”