Blue Peter celebrates 60 years on our screens.

Classic children’s TV show to host Big Birthday bash with host of ex-presenters

Blue Peter bosses are declaring “here’s one we made earlier”, as the much-loved children’s show celebrates its 60th birthday.

The longest running children’s TV show in history has launched 37 presenters, 25 pets and one million badges into the world since it first broadcast in 1958.

A one-hour live special will air on CBBC this afternoon at 5pm.

Blue Peter’s Big Birthday will remind audiences why it still manages to inspire youngsters to send in more than 100,000 letters and pictures each year – and why nearly 200,000 under-16s own at least one Blue Peter badge.

The show’s highest honour is awarded for a special contribution or achievement by a famous face or a youngster who has gone the extra mile.

Holders range from Morven Breen from Dundee, who was thrilled to win a badge for her picture of the presenters two years ago, to the Forth Rail Bridge, which became the first structure to be given the accolade in 2012.

The diamond anniversary programme will encapsulate everything that has made the show unique over the past six decades.

Past presenters will be joining the celebrations including Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves, Anthea Turner, Konnie Huq and Tim Vincent, some of whom have been saving their washing up liquid bottles and toilet rolls for a live studio ‘make’ with a difference.

Ed Sheeran will be honoured with a gold Blue Peter badge and a diamond time capsule will be sealed in the National Archives.

There will also be an announcement about the return of the show’s hugely successful bring and buy sales campaign in support of BBC Children in Need this November.

Added into the mix will be presenter challenges of epic proportions with current stars Lindsey Russell taking on a solo hot air balloon flight across a frozen lake in the Arctic Circle and Radzi Chinyanganya boarding Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Blue Peter editor Ewan Vinnicombe said: “Blue Peter is a very special club to be part of and the Big Birthday show will be a moment to remember and one to watch for all generations of Blue Peter fans.

“We are celebrating in style so if you’ve got a Blue Peter badge wear it with pride on our big day.”

Despite competition from countless TV channels and other distractions which have assailed children in the last six decades, Blue Peter reaches its 60th birthday in rude health.

The programme has achieved the rare feat of staying relevant while retaining its gentle charm.

In an era in which the watershed has become close to useless, shows like Blue Peter are essential.

Here’s to the next 60 years.

Classic line-up – The presenters of Blue Peter in 1972, from left, Peter Purves, Lesley Judd, Valerie Singleton and John Noakes, who is with his dog, Shep.