Angellica Bell broke down in tears during an interview with Fleur East, sobbing as she said she feels like she “failed” a generation of kids.
The iconic kids TV presenter, 48, was the face of CBBC from 2000 to 2006, presenting shows including 50/50 and Short Change. In a chat for Hits Radio, Angellica and singer Fleur East spoke about the influence she had and how important it was for Black kids to see their race represented on the TV in that way at the time.
But Angellica opened up, confessing that sometimes she feels she didn’t do “enough”, overcome with emotion after Fleur thanked her on “behalf of a generation”.
Speaking to Fleur, Angellica, who more recently presented the Martin Lewis Money Show said: “I didn’t realise the impact of being on CBBC at that time.
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“There was this guy, and he was like ‘Angelica, you were my childhood’. And I’m grateful for those experiences and maybe the tough times that I went through where I was trying to work out who I was I’m like ‘actually, it was worth it’.”
Fleur commented on how Angellica helped her community, saying: “And like you said, you weren’t comfortable to wear braids and things like that in the beginning and maybe if you did you maybe wouldn’t be in the position you are now. You just being on TV, for all the young black kids just watching you on TV gave people hope. Maybe if you’d had more of an example before you got in that position, you’d could’ve stepped into who you are a lot sooner. Thank you, on behalf of a whole generation.”
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Breaking down in tears, an emotional Angellica replied: “Sometimes I think I failed. Sometimes I think that I haven’t done enough,” as her voice started to break.
Fleur reassured Angellica that her contribution to a generation of children is appreciated: “Never ever think that you haven’t done enough. You’ve done more than enough.”
Fans on TikTok agreed with Fleur. One wrote: “Angelica and June Sarpong deserve all their flowers for young black girls we looked up to them so much.” Another added: “She did so much at a time where representations was limited!” A third replied: “I don’t remember many presenters from my childhood to be honest but Angelica Bell is one that I do always always remember. Such a shame she feels like she failed when so many of us loved watching her.” Someone else wrote: “Shout out, Angelica. you were 100% the best part about CBBC as a kid. thank you for making me feel visible on TV x,” while another echoed: “Angelica being on TV was even important for me even as a South Asian female. Seeing any people of colour is so important for all people of colour.”
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