Blue Peter

Image: Blue Peter presenters celebrate the programme's 50th anniversary in 2008: John Leslie, Katy Hill, Stuart Miles, Lesley Judd, John Noakes, Peter Purves, Valerie Singleton, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker, Anthea Turner, Christopher Wenner, Tina Heath, Sarah Greene, Peter Duncan, Simon Groom, Liz Barker, Zoe Salmon, Gethin Jones, Tim Vincent, Diane-Louise Jordan, Andy Akinwolere, Janet Ellis, Helen Skelton, Joel Defries, Leila Williams, Anita West & Konnie Huq. 

Blue Peter, the longest running children's programme in the world - and quite possibly the best loved - began on 16 October 1958. It was created by John Hunter Blair and first presented by Leila Williams and Christopher Trace. The programme was 15 minutes long and scheduled to run for only 6 weeks. It became the programme we recognise today following the appointment of Editor Biddy Baxter in 1962, since which time it has been a cornerstone of BBC children's output.

Blue Peter presenters have been asked to undertake a wide range of inspiring adventures over the years, from John Noakes riding a toboggan down the Cresta Run, to Helen Skelton walking a high-wire between the chimneys of Battersea Power Station. But they often perform less hazardous tasks in the studio, such as the celebrated "makes" - cookery and craft projects made with household objects such as "chocolate bean tubes" and "detergent bottles".

Blue Peter has always had a strong connection with its viewers, rewarding participants in the show with a coveted Blue Peter badge, as well as getting them involved in the annual charity appeal. In 2013 the involvement was taken a step further as viewers voted for a new presenter, eventually choosing Lindsey Russell to sit alongside Radzi Chinyanganya in Salford, the programme's home since 2011. Blue Peter now goes out on the dedicated children's channel CBBC.