Heartbroken Blue Peter presenters mourn ‘end of an era’ after 66 years
The beloved children's programme first aired in 1958.
After 66 years on TV, beloved children’s programme Blue Peter is undergoing a major change.
The show will no longer be transmitted live and will move to pre-recorded broadcasts, 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’, as it will see Blue Peter available on CBBC, Sign Zone, BBC Two, and iPlayer, a pre-recorded model reflecting a change in audience’s viewing habits.
‘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.
‘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 Countryfile’s 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’.
Former Katy Hill commented as well, writing: ‘Wow! No idea here either! And I totally agree … live TV was magical as a kid! That social connection & shared experience is missing now x’
Ex-CBBC star Ricky Boleto added: ‘I didn’t know either! Can’t believe it. The live element of any children’s TV show is what makes it so entertaining, because anything can happen and usually does!! Perhaps they’ll still film it “as live”.’
Former presenters, including Matt Baker and Zoe Salmon, expressed their shock after the news of Blue Peter’s move broke (Picture: BBC)Irish host Salmon said: ‘Who knew?!?! The best memories of the best times. So much love for Blue Peter and the BP Family & audience.’
Meanwhile, over on X, Bacon declared his ‘love’ for the show, despite it causing him ‘some bother’.
The former kids’ TV star, who was in his early twenties at the time, was sacked from Blue Peter after he admitted taking cocaine during a drink and drugs binge, something he’s continued to poke fun at, now aged 49.
He added in his post that the ‘live’ element of Blue Peter is what made it ‘alive’.
‘The elephant, the studio catching fire. The mistakes, the movement, the energy. At 21, hosting live in TV Centre’s vast studios was wonderful,’ he reflected. ‘1st day rehearsing, I remember walking from one side of the studio to the other – doing a piece to camera – and seeing the whole crew, five cameras, and another on a crane, track with me.
Comment nowAre you sad about Blue Peter moving to streaming?Comment Now‘I know that doesn’t sound like much – but the first time it happened it was mind blowing. It was just a big, well-made, lovingly made, really well resourced Live kids TV show. That had been live in that building for decades. It was a magical experience (for, you know, all of 20 months).’
Joining in on the trip down memory lane was Yvette Fielding, who presented on Blue Peter from 1987 to 1992.
She told the Mail: ‘How sad this is. Blue Peter wasn’t just for children; it was made for the whole family to enjoy.
‘The late Princess Diana told me that she loved to curl up on the sofa with Harry and Wills and watch the show together. This is true of so many British families and it annoys and saddens me to discover the fate of this wonderful show. Shame on the people who have made this terrible decision.’
Blue Peter is the longest-running children’s TV show in history. Until the early 2010s, it was broadcast from London’s Television Centre before moving to MediaCityUK in Salford.
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