‘I’m true Blue for birthday shows’
ANTHEA Turner is returning to Blue Peter after 24 years.
The 57-year-old will be back later this year as part of the show’s 60th birthday celebrations.
Confirming the news, Anthea told the Daily Star Sunday: “We have got loads of things happening for the anniversary and I’m absolutely involved.
“There are some great Blue Peter initiatives coming up.”
Blue Peter first aired in October 1958 and went on to become a ratings hit. Anthea added: “There will of course be a lot happening during October to mark the
60th but there will also be things going on throughout this year.”
Anthea shot to fame as one of Blue Peter’s presenters in the early
90s and went on to become one of TV’s highest-paid stars.
But her love life overshadowed her career after she left her husband of eight years, DJ Peter Powell, for married Grant Bovey in 1998.
Anthea and Grant tied the knot in
2000 but he cheated and they split in 2015.
The star, who has written a self-help guide for people going through a divorce, has happy memories of her time as a children’s TV presenter.
“Blue Peter was just the best,” she says. “It’s an amazing show.”
A string of presenters from the show have gone on to become household names, including Peter Duncan, John Leslie, Yvette Fielding and Tim Vincent.
For 54 years it was in a teatime slot on BBC One and pulled in seven million viewers at its peak.
But since it was moved to CBBC in 2012 ratings have dwindled.
Speaking at the Asian Awards, Anthea said: “The problem the show has now is where it airs. If it was on BBC One, I’m sure it would get a bigger audience.” Show bosses have commissioned a special diamond Blue Peter badge, designed by fashion star Henry Holland, to mark the anniversary.