Konnie Huq, 51, recently made a public appearance at the launch of the Kids Aloud initiative at The Foundling Museum in London. The event, now in its third year, aims to encourage children and their parents to feel comfortable and welcome in cultural spaces like museums and galleries.

Huq, who was a presenter on the popular children's television show Blue Peter from December 1997 to January 2008, has shifted her focus to writing children's books. She also revealed a commitment to a frugal lifestyle, stating she has not purchased new clothing in over two decades.

"It is really important to get our kids interested in the arts and ignite their passion for learning at a young age," Huq said in an interview with the Press Association. "This whole initiative is all about that."

The Kids Aloud campaign, supported by the charity Art Fund, involves over 60 museums across the UK. These institutions will designate specific times for children to visit, allowing them to express themselves more freely and audibly. Huq noted that parents often worry about their children being disruptive in public spaces, but this initiative provides a designated time during the summer holidays for families.

Huq, who is married to Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, has previously spoken about her anti-consumerist views. "I haven't bought clothes in, say, the last 20 years – all those years I did on Blue Peter, you get clothes for the job anyway," she admitted. She expressed a preference for comfort and authenticity over fashion, stating, "The older I get, the more comfy I feel in my own skin. So now, I'd rather be really unfashionable, but know people like me for me, rather than the clothes I wear. I'm much happier opting out."

Two decades on, Konnie has taken a step back from TV and focused her career on writing children's books. She has adopted a frugal lifestyle and hasn't bought any clothes in 20 years

Despite her public profile, Huq maintains a 'totally retro' approach to technology, preferring phone calls over texting and using hand-me-down mobile phones. Her technology habits involve receiving her husband's old phones, which are then passed down to her son.

Konnie has leant her support to the initiative, which encourages children and their parents to feel welcome in cultural spaces such as museums and galleries

Museums participating in the Kids Aloud initiative include the FE McWilliam Gallery in Northern Ireland and St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff. These venues will host events designed to welcome children and their families.