Katy Ashworth

Katy Ashworth is an Actress, TV presenter and Singer and keynote speaker on children’s mental health and importance of play

She has been a household name in the UK and worldwide for appearing on the BAFTA award winning children’s tv channel CBeebies since 2009 as the host of I Can Cook, presenting daily links in the CBeebies House, appearances on Justin’s House, Blue Peter, CBeebies Proms and multiple CBeebies Christmas shows including Aladdin and Strictly Cinderella. 

On stage Katy Ashworth has toured with multiple CBeebies Live! arena tours as well performing for families worldwide from Glastonbury Festival to South Africa with her one woman comedy shows including Back to the Disco, Katy’s Family Fun Show, Time with Katy, Katy’s Roadshow and I Can Cook Live!

She has played lead roles in West End shows including Stig of the Dump and pantomimes including Peter Pan, Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk. 

Katy Ashworth works extensively as a voice over artist recording mainly audiobooks and animation for CBeebies, CBBC, CITV and major publishers such as Macmillan and Penguin Random House with whom she will be releasing her first of two picture books in 2025.

Along side her presenting and performing career Katy has speaks at various corporate and charity events. She hold an audience together with her unique warmth and witty personality.

More recently she has been speaking in schools about coercive behaviour and healthy relationships off the back of her own personal experience of domestic abuse. She also delivers talks to young people and parents on resilience.

Since leaving CBeebies in 2022 Katy has decided to go back to University and pursue her passion for children’s mental health by completing a postgraduate degree in Play Therapy. She is also a passionate speaker on this topic and the children’s mental health crisis here in the UK.

KATY ASHWORTH SPEAKING TOPICS

Healthy Relationships (For Secondary Students) –This talk is designed to help young people understand the foundations of healthy relationships—what they look like, how to recognise red flags, and how to support peers. Grounded in experience and delivered with warmth and clarity, this session equips students with empowering, practical tools to foster safe and respectful relationships.

Resilience – Through her work as a freelance actor, presenter, and solo parent, Katy has learned the power of resilience in uncertain and high-pressure situations. This talk offers strategies for maintaining routine, mindset, and motivation, particularly in the face of adversity. It’s about real-world perseverance.

Therapeutic Play (For Educators and School Staff) – This session introduces therapeutic play principles that help children express their emotions safely and openly. Aimed at educators, it provides easy, effective tools to build trust, enhance emotional literacy, and support student mental health in a practical way through therapeutic play methods. This talk involves interactive elements of play during the talk