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.
