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 大象传媒 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 C大象传媒.
October anniversaries
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Winston Churchill's first wartime broadcast
1 October 1939 -
Songs of Praise
1 October 1961 -
Live and Kicking
2 October 1993 -
Points of View
2 October 1961 -
The Trials of Life
3 October 1990 -
Pick of the Pops
4 October 1955 -
Monty Python's Flying Circus
5 October 1969 -
Poldark
5 October 1975 -
You and Yours
6 October 1970 -
Woman's Hour
7 October 1946 -
DIY SOS
7 October 1999 -
Later... with Jools Holland
8 October 1992 -
In Touch
8 October 1961 -
Make Yourself At Home - Programmes for Immigrants
10 October 1965 -
Grandstand
11 October 1958 -
Around the World in 80 Days
11 October 1989 -
On The Move
12 October 1975 -
First edition of Any Questions
12 October 1948 -
First edition of Omnibus
13 October 1967 -
Bombing of Broadcasting House
15 October 1940 -
Play For Today
15 October 1970 -
First televised Party Election Broadcast
15 October 1951 -
Birds of a Feather
16 October 1989 -
Blue Peter first broadcast
16 October 1958 -
The Magic Roundabout
18 October 1965 -
The formation of the 大象传媒
18 October 1922 -
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra first broadcast
22 October 1930 -
Captain Pugwash
22 October 1957 -
Terry and June
24 October 1979 -
Launch of daytime television
27 October 1986 -
The Wednesday Play first broadcast
28 October 1964 -
First edition of Today
28 October 1957 -
Maida Vale opens
30 October 1934