Blue Peter axed from TV as presenters mourn ‘end of an era’
The beloved children's programme first aired in 1958.
After 66 years on TV, beloved children’s programme Blue Peter is being taken off screens.
The show will no longer be transmitted live and will move online, which has been confirmed by its director, who describes it as ‘the end of an era’.
Blue Peter’s current lineup of presenters comprises Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney, and Abby Cook. It’s been reported that they were left in the dark over the move to streaming, having wondered whether their contracts would be renewed.
A source confirmed the plan has ‘been in the works for months.’
‘The big bosses all knew what was happening, and those they did tell were all told to keep it quiet,’ the insider added to The Mail on Sunday.
‘It’s a huge shock, and a number of the crew still have no idea what’s going on. Goodness knows what it means for the presenters and those working on the show, but the view is that it has all been handled very badly.’
Blue Peter’s current lineup of presenters comprises Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney, and Abby Cook (Picture: BBC)Blue Peter began in October 1958. At its peak, it aired three times a week on BBC One.
Past presenters include Konnie Huq, Matt Baker, Peter Duncan, Zoe Salmon, Richard Bacon, and Anthea Turner.
Former star Simon Thomas took to Instagram to express his sadness upon learning of the shake-up, writing on Friday: ‘Apparently (I had no idea) today is the last ever LIVE Blue Peter on television.
Comment nowAre you sad about Blue Peter moving to streaming?Comment Now‘The show isn’t finishing, there is apparently going to be a show online; just not live on the TV anymore.’
He reflected on what he is ‘grateful’ for after working on the show, including how it ‘took a chance’ on him as he started out with no experience.
‘We probably didn’t realise it at the time, but we were working in the last years of the golden age of children’s TV, a time when children’s programmes filled the afternoons and Saturday mornings on BBC1 and ITV,’ he reminisced.
‘An era when audiences were measured in the millions rather than the thousands. I don’t say golden in an arrogant way, but everything has fragmented now and the way children consume entertainment has changed forever.’
‘There will never be another era like it again,’ he declared.
Also reacting to the news was Baker, who was clearly in shock as he commented under Thomas’ post: ‘WWHHHAATTT ?? Mate we had the most incredible time!
‘The best memories and the end of the most magical energy and spirit to be shared across the Country at tea time X I feel very fortunate to have experienced and shared the feeling’.
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