Sarah-Jane Honeywell

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Sarah-Jane Honeywell
Honeywell in 2006
Born (1974-01-05) 5 January 1974 (age 50)
Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England[1]
Occupation(s)Actress, television and radio presenter, singer, songwriter
Known forCBeebies, Tikkabilla, radio work on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and BBC Radio Humberside
SpouseAyden Callaghan
Children2 sons

Sarah-Jane Honeywell (born 5 January 1974) is an English actress, writer, TV and radio presenter, blogger and singer. She is best known for her work on the CBeebies television channel and her radio shows on BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

As well as appearing on pre-school TV, Honeywell is a supporter of Bristol City F.C. and writes a regular column in the Ashton Gate Stadium match day programme 'Well Red'. Honeywell is a vegan,[2][3] and does charity work for Dogs Trust.[4][5] Fairies being her website and personal symbol, she also has a fairy-wings tattoo.[6]

In December 2006, Honeywell released an EP titled Love and Magic.[7] The second track "Believe in Magic" was released as a single, and the music video was made at the annual Goose Fair in Nottingham, 2007.[8] A Sarah-Jane plush doll was released to coincide with the EP.[9] The songs from the EP featured in the CBeebies Live tour and the production of Peter Pan at the Capitol Theatre, Horsham.

In April 2021, Sarah-Jane joined BBC Radio Lincolnshire, in which she presents a weekly 80s and 90s music show every Sunday afternoon 2-6pm. The show is also broadcast on BBC Radio Humberside. She also presented Sunday breakfast on Lincolnshire until 21st October 2023.

Biography[edit]

Early career[edit]

When Honeywell was young she went to dance school and gymnastics classes. She completed her education at Ordsall Hall School.[citation needed] At 18, she got her first job, working in Malta as a contortionist for three months,[10] having trained with acrobatic troupe[11] the Great Kovaks in Doncaster.[2] At 19, she moved to London to play the part of a kitten in Cats, and from musical theatre moved into television.

Later career[edit]

Honeywell has acted in several leading theatre productions including The Little Mermaid at the Alban Arena, Peter Pan at Southend, Woking, Southampton, Wimbledon and Horsham, the 2004–05 and 2006–07 CBEEBIES Live! National Arena Tours and the Fimbles National Tour 2006. She also appeared in Falstaff at the Royal Opera House, has played a wide range of characters in television dramas and commercials, and continues to do aerial and skin work[clarification needed].[12] She has also performed a solo show "Love & Magic" at venues across the UK and Europe and appeared in an independent film called Shadows of a Stranger (2014).[13]

In August 2011, her "wholesome" image came under scrutiny when she controversially appeared on celebrity photographer Marc de Groot's Facebook page, pouring Diet Coke over an almost see-through vest and posing wearing candyfloss "underwear".[14] Three months later, she posed topless for PETA to mark World Vegan Day. "Going vegan is the best decision I've ever made – I have tons of energy, and I know that I'm not contributing to animal suffering", Honeywell said. "A vegan diet is good for your health, for the environment and for animals – and there's no better time to switch than on World Vegan Day!"[15] Honeywell said in December 2021 that she believed it was this photoshoot that led to her being let go from CBeebies.[16]

Honeywell completed a dance album with record producer Dave D'Mello that was released in April 2012. In 2019, she opened up and runs a theatre school in Lincoln in which she helps young people with classes and shows. In April 2021, Sarah-Jane joined BBC Radio Lincolnshire, in which she presents a weekly 80s and 90s music show every Sunday afternoon 2-6pm. She also presented Sunday breakfast on the station until 21st October 2023.[17]

Honeywell was an additional puppeteer on the 2019 Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

In February 2024, Honeywell revealed in an interview in detail about her sacking from her role on CBeebies, saying that she had 'thoughts about jumping in front of a train' due to online hate after her photoshoot was published in national newspapers in 2011.[18]

Personal life[edit]

On 17 May 2015, Honeywell and her fiancé, Hollyoaks actor Ayden Callaghan, announced they were expecting their first child. Their son, Phoenix, was born on 25 August 2015.[19] Honeywell and Callaghan were then married on 17 October 2016.[20] They announced on 5 September 2017 that they were expecting their second child[21] and another son, Indiana was born on 24 January 2018.[22]

Honeywell previously blogged about her life as a mother as honeymumster. Despite her vegan views, she decided not to raise her children as vegan, stating in an interview on Good Morning Britain in March 2019: "I don't want to put my views on my children. I don't think you should put your religious, dietary or political views on your children, I think we have children to guide them to their own destinations, not my destination [...] but I will tell them the truth [when] they're ready, and then they can make their own decisions". Honeywell's husband Callaghan eats meat.[23]

Notable appearances[edit]

Year Media Part Production Production Company
2021–present Radio Sunday Afternoon Presenter BBC Radio Lincolnshire BBC
2010 Television Presenter Mighty Mites[24] CBeebies/BBC
2010 Television Panzee ZingZillas CBeebies/BBC
2009 Stage Ariel The Little Mermaid Qdos & Alban Arena, St Albans
2008 Stage Peter Pan Peter Pan Horsham Theatre
2007 Stage Glinda Wizard of Oz New World Productions
2006 Stage Host Fimbles Live! Fiery Angel & Novel
2006–2007 Television Links Presenter CBeebies Presentation CBeebies/BBC
2005–2006 Stage Co-host CBeebies Live! Arena Tour BBC Worldwide
2005 Stage Co-host Tweenies and Friends Show Iain Lauchlan & BBC Worldwide
2002–2007 Television Presenter Tikkabilla/Higgledy House BBC
2004–2005 Stage/Pantomime Peter Pan Peter Pan Qdos @ Mayflower Southampton
2001–2002 Stage/Musical Etcetera (cat) CATS – London Cameron Mackintosh
1999 Stage/Opera Aerialist/Acrobat Falstaff The Royal Opera House @ Covent Garden

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sarah-Jane Honeywell and CBeebies". BBC Nottingham. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  2. ^ a b Wardle, Tony. "Young, gifted and veggie". tonywardle.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  3. ^ "Vegan Health and Beauty". veganhealthandbeauty.com. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  4. ^ "It's a Dog's Life". public.tv. Archived from the original on 10 June 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  5. ^ "Dogs Trust Christmas Fayre". dogstrust.org.uk. 2006. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  6. ^ "Faery Wings Tattoo". youtube.com. 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  7. ^ "About Sarah-Jane Honeywell". myspace.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  8. ^ "Believe in Magic with Sarah-Jane Honeywell". YouTube. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  9. ^ "News". sara-jane.biz. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  10. ^ "Upstaged by the pre-school superstars". This Is Lancashire. 28 July 2006. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  11. ^ Lewis, Katy (13 March 2006). "Sarah-Jane's got that fimbling feeling!". BBC Beds Herts & Bucks. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  12. ^ "Curriculum Vitae". sarah-jane.biz. Archived from the original on 25 January 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
  13. ^ "Sleaford film project adds star appeal with Sarah-Jane from CBeebies". Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  14. ^ Walker, Gail (1 September 2011). "What a pointless storm in a T-shirt". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Semi-Naked TV Presenter 'Served Up' as Food on World Vegan Day". November 2011.
  16. ^ Lewis, Isobel (28 December 2021). "CBeebies presenter sacked following naked Peta photoshoot 'lost her identity' after firing". The Independent. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Sarah-Jane Music Resume". sarah-jane.biz. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  18. ^ Vassell, Nicole (21 February 2024). "Former CBeebies presenter says she had suicidal thoughts after topless photo backlash". The Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Hollyoaks' Ayden Callaghan and Sarah-Jane Honeywell reveal baby boy's name – and we love it!". 2015.
  20. ^ Douglas, Nicole (17 October 2016). "Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan marries Sarah Jane Honeywell". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  21. ^ Houghton, Rianne (5 September 2017). "Former Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan is expecting his second child with wife Sarah Jane Honeywell". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Sarah-Jane Honeywell & Ayden Callaghan Welcome Baby Boy". 31 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Should You Raise Your Baby As Vegan? | Good Morning Britain". YouTube. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  24. ^ "BBC – Press Office – CBeebies Highlights 2010". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
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