A catch up

Its been over two years since Blue Peter's 60th Birthday and almost as long since I last wrote on this blog. Shall we have a catch up ?

I have stayed in touch with some of the presenters I met during the charity challenge along with some of the team that work on the show.

Here's what happened next :-

April 2019

At the beginning of April 2019 Blue Peter introduced Henry, the tenth dog to become a Blue Peter pet.

Henry a two year old Beagle Basset cross adopted by the show from The Dogs Trust. It had been six years since Blue Peter last had a dog as a regular member of the team. On the morning of Henry's first live show he appeared on BBC Breakfast with Lindsey and featured in all the daily newspapers. Henry often steals the show in the studio and has been on many adventures with the team.

Later in the month Radzi Chinyanganya presented his last Blue Peter after five brilliant years on the programme. So I headed over to the studios to wish him well. Since leaving Blue Peter Radzi has been a regular face on tv presenting and commentating on many sporting events and has just published his first book - Move like a lion encouraging young children to get active. 

Later the same day I caught up with Razi's friend and former Blue Peter colleague Barney Harwood in a touring production of The Wizard of Oz. After the show it was great to chat to Barney who enjoyed looking through my Project 161018 book which he signed with a touching message.

May 2019

For a few weeks after Radzi's departure Lindsey presented the programme with various guest presenters. Presenter number 38 Richie Driss  bounced onto Blue Peter on 26th May 2019.

Richie began his career in community radio before landing a job with JOE.CO.UK where he took on challenges such as swimming with sharks and interviewed a host of football and film stars.

Richie's first challenge for Blue Peter was to sing with the Kingdom Choir at a concert at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

Later in the month I went to support Barney Harwood again, this time he was performing at a comedy club trying his hand at stand up. This would be part of a new show he is working on for Netflix.

June 2019

I had a wonderful day at the end of June watching a days filming at Media city in The Blue Peter Garden. The weather was fantastic. In the morning the team recorded a carnival special to be shown later in the Summer. In the afternoon it was the run-through and then the live transmission of that days edition.

November 2019

Blue Peter supports BBC Children in Need every year. For for the 2019 appeal. Blue Peter went old school with the reintroduction of The Bring and Buy sale. I decided to do my bit and make some Blue Peter Badge and Henry cakes which sold well on the cake stall in the Blue Peter Studio.

December 2019

One last trip of the year to Media City and a chance to wish some of the team that work behind the scenes on Blue Peter a Merry Christmas.

March/April/May 2020

As the Covid pandemic takes hold and we go into lockdown everyone's plans are put on hold as we are told to stay safe and stay home. This includes Blue Peter and its presenters so for the next few months Lindsey and Richie present the show from their homes. 

In the early days of lockdown I unfortunately become unwell with Covid. My recovery was slow, but as I did, decided to take part in the 2.6 Challenge. The charity challenge was set up to replace the 2020 London Marathon, that was unable to go ahead due to the pandemic. My challenge was to walk 26 laps, over 3 days, of the little park near my house with my dog Loch. (One lap for each of the former Blue Peter presenters I originally met for Project 161018. (I actually meet 29, but didn't count Lindsey and Razdi for this challenge as they were presenters at the time of the 60th birthday) In doing this challenge I raised a further £150.00 for Guide Dogs and RNLI.

Part way through lockdown presenter number 39 is introduced as Mwaka Mudenda (Mwaksy) joins the team. She also presents Blue Peter from home during her first few weeks on the show. Mwaksy also completes her first BP challenge from home, attempting to set various records. Prior to joining the BP team Mwaksy worked for BBC Sport.

June 2020

As restrictions begin to ease the team return to the studio. Blue Peter has done a brilliant job entertaining and inspiring the children of the UK during the pandemic. To keep this going the team introduce The six badges of Summer scheme. Each week viewers are encouraged to apply for one of the programmes famous badges.

Although much to old to apply for any badges myself I decide to have a go and promote the scheme across my social.

Green Badge Week

I grew some wild flowers to encourage bees, butterflies and other insects.

Sport Badge Week

I had a go at skipping

Music Badge Week

I dug out my old drumsticks

Blue Badge Week

I made a thank you card for the NHS.

Fan club badge week 

I shared some project 161018 pictures including some outtakes and messages from

special guests Peter Purves and Tim Vincent.

Silver Badge week

I wrote a poem about my lockdown, which I read in the Blue Peter Garden.

July 2020

 

Blue Peter takes a Summer break for the first time in several years.

The six badges of Summer has been a huge success and by the end of the month over 43,000 applications had already been received.

September 2020

Blue Peter returns and introduces Adam Beales the programmes 40th presenter. This would be first time the programme has returned to a presenting team of four since 2007. Adam is an extremely successful and popular YouTuber.

December 2020

Blue Peter commissions artist Sally Marshall to to produce a Blue Peter themed unit for Box on the docks, in the grounds of Media City. It incudes her version of the famous Advent Crown and the installation is called Here's one we made earlier.

I also put my crafting head on again and made these Blue Peter themed Christmas Cards for the team.

Blue Peter continues to produce a brilliant weekly live magazine programme for children. Despite Covid restrictions has been able to stay true to its familiar format. One big change this year was the Christmas show. The traditional mass Christmas carol singing of choirs and The Salvation Army Band filling the studio was unable to take place. Instead Mwaksy leads various choirs virtually in a Christmas Medley and a spectacular film involving gliders and fireworks provide some Christmas sparkle.

At some point this year I do hope to finally meet Mwaksy and Adam to take my total of Blue Peter presenters met to 31.

In the meantime watch Blue Peter every Thursday at 5pm on CBBC and the Saturday Morning repeat on BBC2 at 8am, or on BBC iplayer.

The Big Birthday

60th Birthday poster at Piccadilly Metro station

As the long hot Summer drew to a close and the day of Blue Peter's 60th birthday was fast approaching would I get to meet anymore presenters for my charity challenge. When I began Project 161018 back in April 2017, I really didn't know how successful the project would be. I had so far met 19 presenters from a possible 33 which was really good going, but with just a month to go I started to think that was probably going to be the best I could do.

Towards the end of September I then received some brilliant news, I was invited to be part of the audience of the birthday show. To be honest I had always intended to head over to Media City on the day of the birthday show with the hope of seeing some of the presenters that I hadn't previously managed to catch, but to now be officially invited was just amazing, but more was to come. With just days to go and travel and accommodation plans already in place I was then asked to be part of the audience of The One Show Blue Peter Special down in London the night before The Big Birthday. With a little bit of rearranging and a cheap train ticket plans were now in place to attend both shows.

The One Show

Alongside regular The One Show host and former Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker would be Blue Peter colleagues Sarah Greene, Mark Curry, Konnie Huq and Simon Thomas. It was a feel good show with plenty of old clips and stories from the presenters and it was lovely to join a group of fellow Blue Peter fans in the studio. Afterwards it was brilliant to meet both Konnie and Simon for the first time and chat again to Sarah, Mark and Matt.

With Konnie Huq

Konnie Huq presented Blue Peter from December 1997 until January 2008 and broke Valerie Singletons record and became the longest serving female presenter. Highlights of Konnie's time on Blue Peter include Walking on hot coals, Bollywood dancing, being production assistant on a live Top of the pops and interviewing Prime Minister Tony Blair.

with Simon Thomas

Simon Thomas presented Blue Peter from January 1999 until April 2005.
Simon's adventures on the show include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Blanc, running the London Marathon, free fall parachuting and submarine escape training.

After saying my goodbyes it was back on the train to Manchester ready for the following days celebrations.

On the blue carpet at the 60th Birthday Celebrations

On the morning of 16th October 2018 Blue Peter's 60th Birthday, there was a real buzz around Media City. As well as the Blue Peter celebrations auditions were going on for The Voice UK. I met up with fellow Blue Peter fans Lydia (a gold Blue Peter Badge holder) who had been invited to interview presenters on the blue carpet and Sam and his Mum, Sam is the proud owner of  eight Blue Peter badges. As we waited to go into the studio. I spoke to former presenter Barney Harwood and Ewan Vinnicombe the Blue Peter editor and as we took our seats The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra were tuning up.

As the special mash up of the familiar theme tune played out the celebrations began, musical performances from Jonas Blue, Harvy and Sophie Ellis Bextor accompanied by The BBC Philharmonic, watched on by a host of former Blue Peter presenters from across the decades. Film treats of the final part of Lindsey's wonderful chair in the air challenge and Radzi on board HMS Queen Elizabeth. A nostalgic make featuring many of the presenters and a Gold Blue Peter Badge awarded to Ed Sheeran, a Diamond Birthday cake and a rousing performance from The Vamps and The BBC Philharmonic brought the show to a close.

Pictures taken at the 60th Birthday Show

As we left the studio it was a pleasure to meet and chat to former Blue Peter Editor Richard Marson who kindly signed my 50th Birthday Book which he had written 10 years previously. Then outside is was great to see presenters I had previously met on the challenge Peter Duncan, Stuart Miles and a chance to update my picture with Helen Skelton who I had met prior to the Challenge.

with Helen Skelton

It was also wonderful to met legendary Blue Peter Editor Biddy Baxter. Biddy kept Blue Peter ship shape from 1965 until 1988 and it was Biddy that first introduced the famous Blue Peter badge.

Then along comes Leila Williams the lady who presented the first ever Blue Peter on 16th October 1968 along with Christopher Trace. Leila presented Blue Peter until 1962.

with Leila Williams

During the next hour I would meet six more past presenters.

Romana D'Annunzio presented Blue peter for two years  1996 -1998 and memorable moments include rock climbing and wing walking and trips to Hong Kong China and Canada.

with Romana D'Annunzio

Liz Barker was on the show for almost six years from June 2000 - April 2006 and her many highlights include Tightrope walking, brake woman in The British Bobsleigh Championships, cleaning windows at Canary Wharf along with Summer trips to Brazil, India, USA and Morocco.

with Liz Barker

Richard Bacon was a presenter on Blue Peter from February 1997 until October 1998. Richard was famously sacked from the show days after the programmes 40th Birthday after the revelation that he was seen taking cocaine on a night out hit the newspapers. However during his short time on the show Richard's many highlights include Officer Cadet training at Sandhusrt, Dragon boat racing and Summer trips to Canada and Mexico. Richard hit the headlines again in 2018 when he became ill on a flight to the UK from the USA  and almost died. Thankfully Richard recovered and was welcomed back to the Blue Peter family for the 60th Birthday and Peter Purves gave him back his Blue Peter badge.

with Richard Bacon

Diane Louise Jordan presented Blue Peter for six years 1990 -1996 and her memorable moments include Rally driving, Norway ice dip, Summer trips to The Caribbean, Japan, Argentina, USA and South Africa.

with Diane Louise Jordan

Anita West presented Blue Peter for just four months in 1962 but returned for Christmas 1998 to take part in the 40th Birthday pantomime.

with Anita West

Lesley Judd was a Blue Peter presenter when I first started to watch the programme along with Peter Purves and John Noakes. Lesley stayed for seven years 1972 -1979. During her time with Blue Peter she was hoisted up and down Bishop Rock Lighthouse, Danced with Pan's People, reported live from the USA after flying there on Concorde and visited Brazil, Thailand, Bruneli, Fiji and Tonga on Summer Expeditions.

with Lesley Judd, Thank you to former editor Richard Marson for taking this picture.

It was then time to leave, but just before I did I spoke to Peter Purves, his parting word to me were
You've been a bloody star.

As I headed back to my hotel room I dont mind admitting I shed a little tear. It had been a long but fabulous journey, I had successfully met 28 former presenters of a show I had loved since childhood and in doing so raised £900.00 for Guide Dogs and RNLI.

21st February 2019.

Ewan Vinnicombe with Valerie Singleton

As I write this Ewan Vinnicombe the present Editor of Blue Peter is preparing to step down after 6 years at the helm of the ship. Last Thursday I headed back to Media City to wish Ewan well. It was a privilege to visit the Blue Peter Studio to watch rehearsals for the show later that day and to sit on the Blue Peter Sofa.

I would like to wish Ewan all the best in his new ventures and to thank him once again for his help with Project 161018.

Ewan you leave Blue Peter looking ship shape and heading off on many adventures to come.

Anthea Turner

During the Summer several past presenters have been involved in various events to celebrate Blue Peter's 60th Birthday. At the end of August the BBC's Antiques Roadshow team headed to Media City in Salford, where former presenters Peter Purves and Anthea Turner joined them for a special Blue Peter segment to be broadcast on a future show. This was also a chance for me to finally catch up with Anthea for  Project 161018.

Anthea joined Blue Peter in September 1992 and stayed for two seasons until June 1994. She was already a well known TV presenter when she arrived on Blue Peter, having been a regular on Saturday Morning TV (UP2U) and Top of the pops. During her time on the show she took part in many challenges including leaning to drive a Channel Tunnel train and being rescued from a broken down Ferris Wheel. Anthea also looked after the programmes dog at the time, Bonnie the Golden Retriever and together they took part in the dog agility course at Olympia. Anthea also became the Queen of Blue Peter makes, having always loved arts and crafts. She demonstrated Blue Peter's most popular make ever. When shops ran out of the must have toy for Christmas 1992, Margaret Parnell the lady who devised most of the Blue Peter makes came to the rescue with an almost identical handmade version. Anthea's demonstration of how to make Tracy Island was so popular, that the programme had over 100,000 requests for a fact sheet and a special BBC Video was also released.

1993

2018

During Anthea's time on Blue Peter there had been a break in the publication of Blue Peter Annuals, however in time for Christmas 1993 a magazine style yearbook was published. It had all the features of the normal Blue Peter books in a magazine style format.

After leaving Blue Peter in 1994 Anthea went on to present ITV's Breakfast Show GMTV, The National Lottery Show on BBC1 and Wish you were here, again for ITV.  Anthea has also taken part in Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing on Ice,The Jump, Antiques road trip and most recently Celebs in Solitary. After her time on Big Brother Anthea fronted the series Perfect Housewife for BBC Three and several books also accomplished the series.

At the question and answer session prior to filming for Antiques Roadshow, Anthea said she had really intended to stay with Blue Peter for another couple of years. However the GMTV job was an opportunity not to miss, yet she still says her happiest times on television was her time on Blue Peter.

Ayo Akinwolere

The beginning of July saw a trip down to Leicester to catch up with Ayo Akinwolere on The Time Capsule Tour.

Ayo at the time known as Andy presented Blue Peter from June 2006 until June 2011. Before joining the show he was working as a runner for CBBC. One evening whilst having drinks with friends in the BBC club, one of the Blue Peter production team heard him talking. She liked what she was hearing and suggested to Richard Marson the Blue Peter Editor at the time that Andy should audition. On 26th June 2006 Andy became Blue Peter presenter 32. His first challenges were abseiling and a bungee jump from a helicopter and this was the start of 5 years of fun and adventures.

During his final challenge before leaving Blue Peter Ayo set a new world record for the deepest location for an open water swim. He swam for more than five miles across the Palau Trench in the Pacific Ocean, the first person to ever do so.

Since leaving Blue Peter he has presenter Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge and taken part in Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Master Chef and The Great British Bake off. In 2012 he went to Jamacia to make a documentary for the BBC about Husain Bolt. Since 2014 he has presented Inside Out for the BBC in The Midlands Area.

In 2015 he created the swim challenge. a project to encourage people of colour to lean to swim.

In 2016 he changed his name back to Ayo, his birth name saying he wished to normalise his name and represent his community.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-37289733/ex-blue-peter-presenter-why-i-changed-my-name

Ayo features in Blue Peter books, 37,38,39 and 40.