Chris Jarvis: The Trusted CBeebies Star Who Built a Lasting Career in Children’s TV

Chris Jarvis is a British television presenter, actor, writer, voice artist and stage performer. He is best known for his long work with CBBC and CBeebies. Many families know him from Show Me Show Me, Step Inside, Old Jack’s Boat, CBeebies Presents and children’s pantomimes.

His full name is Martin Christopher Jarvis. He was born on 20 April 1969 in Romford, Essex, England. As of 2026, he is 57 years old. He has spent more than three decades in children’s entertainment, which makes him one of the most familiar names in British children’s media.

Chris Jarvis is respected because he does more than present on screen. He writes, acts, directs, creates programmes and performs on stage. His work has reached children through television, radio, BBC Sounds, live theatre and family concerts.

Quick Facts About Chris Jarvis

Chris Jarvis Early Life and Interest in Performance

Chris Jarvis grew up with a strong interest in performance. His later career shows a clear love for comedy, music, storytelling and family theatre. These skills became central to his work on children’s television. He entered broadcasting before becoming a major face on children’s TV. His early radio work helped him build confidence with voice, timing and live presentation. This was important because children’s broadcasting needs energy, clarity and warmth. A presenter must speak simply, react quickly and keep young viewers engaged.

Chris Jarvis and His Start in Children’s Television

Chris Jarvis first became known to many viewers through Children’s BBC in the 1990s. He worked on well-known children’s shows such as The Broom Cupboard, Fully Booked, The Friday Zone, Playdays, Jungle Run, Maths Mansion, Look Sharp and Step Inside.

These shows covered different age groups. Some were for preschool children. Others were for older children and family audiences. This helped him become a flexible presenter. He could handle games, sketches, live links, drama, songs and simple learning content.

Chris Jarvis on CBBC

CBBC gave him a strong base. During the 1990s, children’s television was a major part of family life in the UK. Presenters had to feel natural and friendly. They also had to manage live or fast-moving formats. Chris Jarvis fitted that space well. His style was bright, playful and clear. He could make children laugh without talking down to them. That became one of his strongest qualities.

His Work on Wood Lane TV

One important part of his early work was Wood Lane TV. He worked as a writer and actor on nearly 200 episodes of the CBBC mini soap. This gave him experience behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera. It also showed that he was not only a presenter but a creative performer.

Chris Jarvis CBeebies Career

The biggest turning point in his career came in 2002 when he helped launch CBeebies with Pui Fan Lee. CBeebies became one of the most trusted channels for young children in the UK. Chris Jarvis was part of its early identity. He worked on several CBeebies projects, including Show Me Show Me, Stargazing, Justin’s House, Step Inside and CBeebies Presents. His work helped shape the tone of the channel. It was warm, safe, playful and educational.

Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee

His partnership with Pui Fan Lee became one of the best-known parts of his CBeebies years. Together, they presented Show Me Show Me, a programme made for preschool children. The show used songs, games, movement and imagination. They also co-devised Old Jack’s Boat, which became a highly regarded children’s programme. The show starred Bernard Cribbins and mixed gentle storytelling with seaside charm. It won major praise and added another strong credit to his career.

Why Show Me Show Me Worked

Show Me Show Me worked because it felt simple, warm and active. It invited children to join in. It did not rely on noise or pressure. Instead, it used movement, humour and direct speech. Chris Jarvis brought a natural rhythm to the programme. His style helped children feel included.

Chris Jarvis as an Actor

Chris Jarvis is also an actor. He has acted in television productions, children’s dramas and pantomimes. His acting style suits family entertainment because he can use facial expression, voice and body movement in a clear way. He has played roles in CBeebies stage-style productions, including characters in The Tempest, Jack and the Beanstalk and A Christmas Carol. These performances show his range. He can play comic roles, gentle roles and classic family characters.

Chris Jarvis Movies and TV Work

When people ask about Chris Jarvis movies, it is important to be clear. The CBeebies presenter is mainly known for television, radio, theatre and family productions, not mainstream cinema. His screen credits include Old Jack’s Boat, Crackerjack!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Step Inside, Show Me Show Me and CBeebies pantomime shows. There is another actor with the same name who is connected with films such as Mamma Mia! and Wrong Turn 6. That is a different person. For the CBeebies presenter, the correct focus is children’s television and theatre.

Chris Jarvis as a Writer and Creator

One reason Chris Jarvis has lasted so long is his creative skill. He has written and co-created programmes instead of only presenting them. This gives him a deeper place in children’s media. He helped create Show Me Show Me, Old Jack’s Boat and CBeebies pantomime projects. He also wrote and voiced CBeebies Magic Den for BBC Sounds. This shows that his career moved with the media world. He started in radio and television, then continued into digital audio.

Voice Work and Audio

His voice work includes characters for Dream Street, animations, radio programmes and BBC Sounds content. Voice work needs a different skill from screen presenting. The performer must create energy and character without facial expression. Chris Jarvis has used this skill well across children’s audio.

Chris Jarvis in Pantomime and Theatre

Pantomime is a major part of his career. Since the mid-1990s, he has written, directed and acted in professional pantomimes across the UK. He has worked at respected venues, including Lighthouse Poole, Bournemouth Pavilion, Richmond Theatre, Bromley and Swansea Grand.

He has played classic pantomime roles such as Buttons, Widow Twankey and dame characters. Pantomime suits his style because it mixes comedy, music, timing and audience contact. It also keeps him close to family audiences outside television.

Family Concerts

Chris Jarvis has also hosted and narrated family concerts with major orchestras. His work with orchestras has included storytelling through music. This is another example of how he brings children into the arts in a friendly way.

Chris Jarvis Wife and Personal Life

Chris Jarvis keeps his personal life away from the centre of his career. A verified wife name is not available from his own official career pages or trusted professional sources. For this reason, it is better not to make claims about his wife or married life. Some people confuse his long screen partnership with Pui Fan Lee as a personal relationship. That is not correct. Their known connection is professional. They worked together as presenters and creators.

Chris Jarvis Net Worth

Chris Jarvis has not shared a confirmed net worth through a trusted financial source. His income comes from a long career in television, writing, directing, voice work, radio, BBC Sounds, theatre, pantomime and live events. It would not be professional to give an exact figure without proof. The safest statement is that his career has been steady and wide-ranging, with more than 30 years of work in British children’s entertainment.

Chris Jarvis Legacy

Chris Jarvis has built a strong legacy in children’s media. He helped launch CBeebies, entertained young viewers through major shows and continued to work across stage and audio. His career is not based on one programme alone. It is built on trust, skill and long service.

He is important because he understands children’s entertainment as both fun and meaningful. He knows how to make children laugh, listen and join in. That is why his name remains linked with some of the best-loved parts of British children’s television.

Final Thoughts

Chris Jarvis is more than a familiar CBeebies face. He is a complete children’s entertainer with strong skills in presenting, acting, writing, directing and voice work. His work with CBBC, CBeebies, Pui Fan Lee, Show Me Show Me, Old Jack’s Boat and pantomime has made him a respected figure in UK family entertainment. His career shows that children’s media needs talent, care and consistency. Chris Jarvis has brought all three to British screens and stages for more than 30 years.

FAQs

1. Who is Chris Jarvis?

Chris Jarvis is a British television presenter, actor, writer, director and voice artist. He is best known for his long work with CBBC and CBeebies, especially on programmes such as Show Me Show Me, Step Inside, Old Jack’s Boat and CBeebies Presents.

2. How old is Chris Jarvis?

Chris Jarvis was born on 20 April 1969 in Romford, Essex, England. As of 2026, he is 57 years old.

3. Is Chris Jarvis married?

Chris Jarvis keeps his personal life private. There is no confirmed wife name from trusted professional sources, so it is best not to make claims about his married life.

4. What is Chris Jarvis famous for?

Chris Jarvis is famous for being one of the familiar faces of British children’s television. He helped launch CBeebies in 2002 and became widely known through his work with Pui Fan Lee on Show Me Show Me and other family entertainment projects.