History buff Deborah Stoplar is one step away from being crowned English Heritage’s new young presenter.
The 13-year-old has made it through to this week’s finals of the organisation’s nationwide search for a new junior television presenter. If deemed successful, she will join the likes of Dan Snow, Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen and Konnie Huq, who have appeared on English Heritage’s online channel, EHTV, and present a special one-off history feature film.
“I’ve always found history interesting, particularly at secondary school,” the year-nine pupil at the Henrietta Barnett School in North London, tells People.
Ms Stoplar was selected after she sent in a script about her favourite moment in time — the English Civil War.
“I am fascinated by how it escalated and died down, and how almost everyone had a part in it. I think there should be more on English heritage and history programmes in the media but not necessarily for young people. It shouldn’t be patronising. It would be wonderful to present a film on EHTV.”
She is not getting carried away, however. “I am still not completely sure what I want to do. I either want to be a barrister, an advertising copywriter or a broadcaster.”
She lives in Hampstead Garden Suburb, North-West London.
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