Stargazing pays off for Jodie at prime time BBC programme (From St Helens Star)

Stargazing pays off for Jodie Walker at prime time BBC programme

2:30pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News

SHE may be new to astronomy but Jodie Walker saw stars of a different kind, when she bagged a prominent spot in the audience of a prime time BBC programme.

The 15-year-old has been bitten by the bug and made the trip to Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, where they filmed Stargazing Live.

Hosted by Professor Brian Cox and comedian Dara O’Briain, the live shows, broadcast over three nights, were aimed at encouraging the nation to learn more about astronomy.

Jodie, a pupil at Sutton Academy is a junior member of the Liverpool Astronomical Society, which was invited to the filming.

Proud mum Gillian, 49, from Thatto Heath who could not make the filming joked: “I’m so envious of her because she got to meet Brian May.

“And now she’s a mini-celebrity at school, because she even got to speak on TV. I think she was star struck in more ways than one; definitely with Brian Cox who she said was really nice.

“She also met Phil Jupitus and Dara O’Briain. Jodie may be a bit shy, but she’s not short of confidence. They were amazed by her knowledge. Astronomy is over my head, but she was talking to scientists and holding her own.”

Jodie, whose ambition is to be an astrophysicist, is also a talented musician and plays the guitar and drums.