A TEENAGE student from York today waved goodbye to her weekend lie-in and hello to millions of TV viewers on the new GMTV kids show, DIGGIN IT, on ITV.

Abbie Pethullis, of Acomb, said she was "really excited" about her new job, in which she will co-star with Liam Dolan and a seven-foot tall furry pink alien called IT.

Abbie, 19, of Acomb Road, is a second-year film, theatre and television student at Brunel University, London.

Disney Channel bosses remembered her after a 1996 audition and offered her some work.

Then, when they were looking for presenters for DIGGIN IT, they offered her the chance to switch from satellite to terrestrial TV.

Abbie said: "It's fantastic to be part of the DIGGIN' IT family - I'm really looking forward to having some fun and games with Liam and IT."

She said the early starts would not interfere too much with her student lifestyle.

"It's only two mornings a week and I don't live too far away. It fits in really well with my degree as well," she said.

Catch Abbie on DIGGIN' IT, every Saturday at 7.05am and every Sunday at 7.45am on Yorkshire TV.

Updated: 10:35 Saturday, January 04, 2003