Children’s TV star has barely aged a day as she returns to BBC 16 years later
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Celebrity Mastermind’s most recent episode featured a recognisable face from BBC past. Former kids’ TV star Kirsten O’Brien took on the notoriously tricky quiz show for a celebrity special and looked pretty much exactly the same as when she first started out in the industry.
![[Children's TV star has barely aged a day as she returns to BBC 16 years later]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236780445-45f5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Many people first became familiar with Kirsten, now 53, in 1999 when she took on co-hosting duties for CBBC art programme SMart, where she remained for a decade. Staying in the children’s TV genre she also co-hosted CBeebies spin-off programme SMarteenies, sharing duties with Jay Burridge, Lizi Botham, and the late Mark Speight before its conclusion in 2003.
![[TELEVISION PROGRAMME: SMart Picture Shows: (l-r) Jay Burridge, Kirsten O'Brien and Mark Speight TX: BBC ONE Thursday 7 October 1999 'SMart', the innovative children's art programme returns to BBC ONE bringing art to life. Joining regular presenters Mark Speight and Jay Burridge is CBBC presenter Kirsten O'Brien. Together the team will show how to create paintings and designs using everyday objects and easy-to-find materials and show children that art is fun and available for everyone. WARNING: This copyright image may be used only to publicise current BBC programmes or other BBC output. Any other use whatsoever without specific prior approval from the BBC may result in legal action. ...0181 225 8399 Unmanipulated picture Thursday 7 October 1999]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IP_1568582-ed2a.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
This all formed perfect material for her Edinborough comedy show, Kirsten O’Brien – Confessions of a Children’s TV Presenter. Kirsten then dabbled in a variety of TV, ranging from BBC lumberjack competition (yep, that happened) Bring It On to nature show Springwatch Trackers. She also released BBC documentary Kirsten’s Topless Ambition, in which it was debated whether posing for a lads’ magazine in order to shake off her children’s TV persona was a good career decision. She ultimately decided against it.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Kirsten O'Brien attends the Disney Store Christmas party and charity campaign launch on November 9, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Luca Teuchmann/WireImage)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236780346-0743.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Further credits include on-the-ground reporting for GMTV, interviewing soap stars on EastEnders: The Aftermath in celebration of the 25th anniversary, and taking on epic car-based challenges for The World’s Toughest Driving Tests with friend Will Mellor.
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