Blue Peter – History, Presenters and the Famous Badge

Blue Peter is the BBC’s long-running children’s magazine programme, combining studio entertainment, challenges, viewer participation, crafts, cooking, science, animals, environmental features and major adventures. It first aired on 16 October 1958 and is recognised by the BBC as the world’s longest-running children’s television programme.

The scale of that history is considerable. The BBC has reported more than 4,000 editions, and almost every episode from 1964 onward survives in the corporation’s archives.

The show also created one of British television’s best-known traditions: its badge scheme. Since 1963, children have earned badges for creative contributions, achievements and special acts, and the badge remains a familiar symbol today.

What is Blue Peter?

At its heart, Blue Peter is a magazine programme. It mixes studio demonstrations, viewer letters, challenges, animals, environmental reports, competitions and charity appeals with regular “make and do” segments. Participation has always been central to the format.

• Production has continued since 1958, with the BBC reporting more than 4,000 editions.
• Almost every episode from 1964 onward survives in the BBC archives.
• Millions of badges have been awarded since the scheme began in 1963.
• John Noakes is the longest-serving presenter, with about 12½ years on the programme.
• The show moved from London to Salford’s MediaCityUK in 2011.
• From 2025, episodes are pre-recorded rather than broadcast live.

How do you get a Blue Peter badge?

Blue Peter badges reward children for creative contributions, achievements and special acts. The programme estimates that millions of badges have been awarded since the scheme began in 1963.

What is the Blue Peter badge?

The BBC lists eight main badge types, each linked to a different kind of contribution or achievement.

Can anyone apply for a Blue Peter badge?

The official application process is intended for children aged 5 to 15. A parent or guardian must create a BBC child account, read the Blue Peter Badges Privacy Notice and give permission before an application can be submitted. Teachers and group leaders cannot apply on behalf of children; the application must involve a parent or guardian.

1. Ask a parent or guardian to create a BBC child account.
2. Use the My Blue Peter service to submit the application.
3. Ask the parent or guardian to read the Blue Peter Badges Privacy Notice and give permission.
4. Send a creative contribution, such as a letter, drawing, poem, story, photograph or other original work.
5. If the application is accepted, use the account to request the badge identification card.
6. Keep the BBC account username and password safe, because they are needed to access the badge information and request the card.

Applications can also be sent by post. The BBC says postal applicants should include a creative contribution and use the correct postage: an A4 submission generally requires a large-letter stamp, while larger packages may need parcel postage. The mailing address is provided on the BBC’s official badge-application page.

What should you submit?

A strong application is original, clearly connected to the child’s interests or experiences, and appropriate for the badge category being sought. It must include the child’s name and contact details, and it must be sent with parental or guardian permission.

• Original and created by the child
• Clearly connected to the child’s interests, experiences or achievements
• Appropriate for the relevant badge category
• Accompanied by the child’s name and required contact details
• Sent with parental or guardian permission

The blue badge is the normal starting point. Other badges usually require an existing blue badge or a specific achievement, activity or competition.

Badge holders can also receive free or discounted admission to participating UK attractions, subject to current terms and the validity of the badge holder’s card.

Who are the Blue Peter presenters?

Blue Peter has had dozens of presenters across its history. The BBC’s anniversary material counted 37 presenters by 2018, while later reporting records the total as having passed 40.

Who was the first Blue Peter presenter?

The first presenters were Leila Williams and Christopher Trace. Christopher Trace was the original male presenter, and Leila Williams was the original female presenter.

Which presenters are best known?

Several presenters became household names. Valerie Singleton presented for nearly a decade. John Noakes is the longest-serving presenter, with approximately 12½ years on the programme. Peter Purves also presented for about 10 years.

Other notable presenters include Sarah Greene, Peter Duncan, Yvette Fielding, John Leslie, Diane-Louise Jordan, Caron Keating, Anthea Turner, Tim Vincent, Katy Hill, Richard Bacon, Helen Skelton, Joel Mawhinney, Abby Cook and Shini Muthukrishnan.

Who is on Blue Peter now?

Presenter line-ups can change, so the current CBBC programme page is the best place to check the latest team. In October 2026, BBC News identified Leo Olsson of Jersey as the programme’s 45th presenter.

How long has Blue Peter been running?

Blue Peter has been on air since 16 October 1958. The BBC has reported more than 4,000 editions.

When did Blue Peter start?

The programme was created by John Hunter Blair after BBC children’s programming chief Owen Reed identified a gap for children aged roughly five to eight. The first edition went out on 16 October 1958.

How has the programme changed over the years?

Early episodes were largely studio-based, but the programme became known for ambitious outside broadcasts, presenter challenges and reports from around the world. Famous historical examples include John Noakes riding the Cresta Run and Helen Skelton’s high-wire walk between the chimneys of Battersea Power Station.

The show’s modern identity developed after Biddy Baxter became editor in 1962. Under her leadership, Blue Peter established many enduring features, including appeals, pets, badges, adventurous reporting and “makes” — craft or cooking projects using everyday household items.

In 2011, the programme moved from BBC Television Centre in London to dock10 studios at MediaCityUK in Salford. Blue Peter ended its long-standing BBC One run in 2012 and continued on the CBBC channel, with episodes also available through BBC online services. From 2025, the programme’s shows became pre-recorded rather than live, while continuing to be available on CBBC, BBC Two and online.

What happened in Blue Peter’s 60-year history?

1. 16 October 1958 – Blue Peter is first broadcast on the BBC. Created by John Hunter Blair, it features Leila Williams and Christopher Trace as the first presenters.
2. 1962 – Biddy Baxter becomes editor and shapes the programme’s modern identity, establishing many of its most enduring features.
3. 1963 – The Blue Peter badge scheme begins.
4. 2011 – The programme moves from BBC Television Centre to MediaCityUK in Salford.
5. 2012 – Blue Peter ends its long-running BBC One run and becomes CBBC-focused.
6. 2018 – The BBC marks 60 years of Blue Peter with a special celebration.
7. 2025 – The programme’s shows become pre-recorded rather than live.

Sources: BBC History; BBC Media Centre; BBC Archive; BBC badge-application page; Wikipedia; BBC News; Yahoo News.

Is Blue Peter the longest-running children’s TV show?

The BBC’s answer is yes. The corporation describes Blue Peter as the world’s longest-running children’s television programme, a claim repeated in its official history material and in CBBC’s anniversary coverage.

Why is Blue Peter important to British television history?

Blue Peter has long held a distinct place in British cultural life as a trusted children’s programme. Its format mixes education with entertainment, and it has consistently encouraged its audience to take part rather than simply watch.

The Blue Peter badge has become a status symbol and a nostalgic memory point for generations of viewers. The programme has also used its platform for regular appeals supporting charities and public causes.

Its typical features have remained recognisable across decades:

• Presenter challenges and physical adventures
• Viewer letters and creative submissions
• Arts, crafts and cooking “makes”
• Animal and pet segments
• Environmental and conservation reports
• Competitions and quizzes
• Appeals supporting charities and public causes

The move to CBBC and online platforms has allowed new audiences to discover old and new Blue Peter content. The programme’s distinctive mix of participation, practical activity and adventure has kept it recognisable across successive presenter generations.

What do official sources say about Blue Peter?

Official BBC material provides the most reliable information about Blue Peter’s history, presenters and badge scheme. Independent listings also describe the show for audiences discovering it for the first time.

We’re the longest running children’s television programme.

BBC CBBC, 60 years of Blue Peter

Children’s magazine with things to make, celebrity guests, music, sport, food and a lot more. You can earn a Blue Peter badge by getting creative and entering…

Apple TV, Blue Peter listing

For current episodes and features, the CBBC programme page is the most reliable place to look. The BBC Archive has also published classic clips and historic moments, including surviving footage from the early 1960s.

Why does Blue Peter still matter?

More than six decades after its first episode, Blue Peter remains a distinctive part of British children’s television. Its badge scheme still rewards creativity, its presenters continue to take on ambitious challenges, and its archive keeps the programme’s history available to new viewers. New episodes continue to appear on CBBC, and the badge scheme remains the show’s best-known invitation to take part.

What else do viewers ask about Blue Peter?