 The longest serving pet on the programme was Freda the tortoise, who made her debut on 21st October 1963 and lived to April 1979. The pet was originally called Fred, but renamed when it was realised 'he' was a 'she'.
Freda is best remembered for her appearances when she was probably not at her best. Each year Freda was brought onto the show only to face the indignity of being put in a cardboard box.
Tortoises have to be placed in hibernation every winter to avoid the harsh British temperatures, so each year the presenters would show viewers, using Freda, how do it without killing them off. A box compete with straw and air-holes was the answer.
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