Former Blue Peter presenter Joel Mawhinney has revealed plans to marry co-star Shini Muthukrishnan after the couple kept their relationship hidden from BBC bosses for a year. Mawhinney, 28, and Muthukrishnan, 24, avoided public attention while working together on the long-running children's television show before their romance became public when they were spotted holding hands at a Buckingham Palace garden party last spring.
The couple acted as consummate professionals on camera to avoid speculation from colleagues and producers. Mawhinney explained that they wanted to ensure their relationship was stable before making it known to the team.
Hiding the relationship from BBC bosses
Mawhinney said they kept the romance quiet to see how it went for the two of them. "It wasn't from a place of 'Oh nobody must know' it was more we know what people might think, 'are they just dating because it's like a showbiz thing' or the fear from the team 'what if they get together and then break up?'" he said. He added that having a year together allowed them to show it would not affect their work.
Although Blue Peter presenters have had romantic encounters in the past, including Valerie Singleton, 89, and Peter Purves, 87, Mawhinney and Muthukrishnan could be the first presenters from the show to marry. Mawhinney declined to reveal where their first kiss took place, but described it as the biggest rush of adrenaline and endorphins he had ever felt in his life.
Plans for a big Indian wedding
Mawhinney confirmed that marriage is planned for the future, noting that he needs to save money for a large Indian wedding because they are expensive. Muthukrishnan was born in Malaysia, and Mawhinney expressed a desire to visit the country with her after attending her brother's wedding last year, which felt like a month-long celebration.
He praised Muthukrishnan's family, saying her mother is the best cook in the world and frequently feeds him when he visits. He said her mother uses spices like a magician and is trying to teach him how to cook.
From co-presenters to romance
The relationship developed slowly over long car journeys while traveling across the country for filming. Mawhinney, who has 15 million followers on TikTok, described their transition from friends to partners as a slow burn after initially being good friends off the bat for several months.
He described Muthukrishnan as an angel and a rock who supports him behind the scenes. Because both work in the television industry, he noted that she understands the unusual hours and frequent travel required by the job. He added that Muthukrishnan is currently busier than him, so he is helping her right now.
Leaving Blue Peter for magic on America's Got Talent
Mawhinney, from Bangor, Northern Ireland, left his role as the 41st presenter of Blue Peter earlier this year to return to magic. His final episode aired a couple of weeks ago. He explained that he wanted to pursue magic full-time, saying he believed he could not do everything at once even though leaving was a difficult choice.
After informing BBC bosses of his departure, Mawhinney flew to Los Angeles to compete on America's Got Talent. Muthukrishnan accompanied him for the performance, where he successfully advanced to the next stage of Simon Cowell's competition show after performing a dramatic magic trick.
During the audition, Mawhinney smashed items taken from judges' dressing rooms, including a gold bracelet given to Mel B by the Spice Girls for her 50th birthday, a picture of Sofia Vergara's pet dog, and Howie Mandel's mobile phone. The items reappeared intact on stage, delighting the audience and surprising the panel, which also included Simon Cowell.
Performing magic for Spice Girls
On Friday's episode of America's Got Talent, Mawhinney performs a trick at Mel B's house in Leeds for her and fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton. Mawhinney admitted to feeling nervous before his initial audition because he did not know what objects would be available in the dressing rooms. Muthukrishnan was by his side in Los Angeles and admitted afterward that she was even more stressed than he was.
The couple are currently planning their upcoming two-year anniversary around their busy schedules, noting that finding time for each other can be difficult due to working at separate filming locations. Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch season 21 of America's Got Talent on Samsung TV Plus every Friday at 7pm on Samsung TVs and Galaxy devices, with the season running from June 12 to October 2.
