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Happy Birthday Blue Peter

In Happy Birthday Blue Peter, presented by Barney Harwood, presenters from six decades of the longest-running children's series in the world reveal some secrets

In Happy Birthday Blue Peter, presenters from six decades of the longest running children’s series in the world reveal some of the secrets of its success.

Former presenter Barney Harwood is host for an hour of unbridled nostalgia as he charts the Blue Peter story from its birth in 1958.

Leila Williams, the first female presenter who was part of the original team alongside the late Christopher Trace tells how how it ran for just four programmes. Leila reveals how it was a suggestion from her which lead to the start of the famous Blue Peter ‘makes’ long before anyone had muttered the words sticky back plastic.

Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves remember their days with John Noakes while presenters from across the generations talk about the nerve racking auditions to host the show, their first day on set and getting to grips with unpredictable pets and other animals, bizarre features and crazy daredevil stunts and challenges.

Blue Peter has always been live and live TV often goes wrong - the famous visit by Lulu the baby elephant urinating on set being just one of the many memorable unplanned moments.

37 presenters have hosted Blue Peter and the show recalls some of those no longer with us including Caron Keating - her Mum Gloria revealing how she received the news that Caron had got the gig while presenting her Radio 2 afternoon show in the 1980s.

Among other presenters giving their anecdotes of life on Blue Peter - Stuart Miles, Mark Curry, Yvette Fielding, Matt Baker, Simon Thomas, Liz Barker, Anthea Turner and Tim Vincent.

Meanwhile there’s a sprinkling of Birthday treats with Basil Brush, Zippy and George from Rainbow, Sooty and Sweep and Hartley Hare from 70s kids favourite Pipkins popping by to wish BP Happy Birthday in their own unique way.

57 minutes

Last on

Tue 16 Oct 2018 21:00

Broadcast

  • Tue 16 Oct 2018 21:00

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