A belated Happy 59th Birthday Blue Peter

Monday 16th October marked Blue Peter's 59th Birthday.

The previous Thursday was chosen as the day Blue Peter would celebrate, and in fact it also marked the start of a year of celebrations of the programmes 60th year. I am so pleased the BBC are going to celebrate this wonderful television milestone.

The 59th Birthday show included the unveiling of the Gold Badge Walkway at Media City UK. A pathway celebrating some of the famous faces that have been awarded a Gold Blue Peter Badge over the years (more on this soon). The show also featured a birthday quiz including a round that recreated a make first made by John Noakes in the 1960's

A brilliant film featured current presenter Lindsey Russell taking part in a training exercise with The RNLI at Beaumaris the former home of The Blue Peter 2 lifeboat.

The show ended with a teaser of Radzi's Children in need challenge. Following in the footsteps of past presenters John Noakes, Janet Ellis, Simon Thomas and Andy Akinwolere. Radzi has been training with The RAF Falcons and is going to attempt a free fall parachute jump.

Lots more is planned for the 60th year, including in February when 5000 editions of Blue Peter will have been aired, a special Diamond anniversary badge will be launched.

The 59th birthday also marks a year to go until the end of my Project 161018 challenge. If you would like to visit my fundraising page and sponsor me, it would be greatly appreciated

Remembering Caron

Today would have been the 55th birthday of the beautiful Caron Keating.

Caron presented Blue Peter from November 1986 until January 1990.

She soon became Blue Peter's action girl, performing with The Moscow State Circus, swimming with sharks and abseiling down buildings.

Caron's distinctive 80's style of dress was often cause for comment and this led to a competition for viewers to design an outfit for her. Over 69,000 young viewers sent in designs and Caron chose the most beautiful and inventive one.

After Caron left Blue Peter she was always in demand appearing on both radio and TV, becoming a regular presenter on ITV's This Morning.

In 1997 Caron was diagnosed with breast cancer and she bravely battled the disease until she sadly died on 13th April 2004.

Caron was a hugely popular presenter on Blue Peter and was part of a great team during the late 1980's alongside Mark Curry and Yvette Fielding. My personal highlights of that time are the wonderful Christmas spectaculars the three of them performed.

Caron features in Blue Peter Books  23, 24 and 25.

The Caron Keating foundation was set up in Caron's memory by her mother Gloria Hunniford and her brothers Michael and Paul. The foundation raises money to help support carers, support groups,

complementary healing practitioners and well as families affected by cancer.