Blue Peter

I'm certain the Japanese version was used for the first few weeks of the 1991-1992 series after John and Diane went on the Summer expedition to that particular country.

Yes it was, it tends to get dug out whenever they have a particular feature on Japan!

Nice to see the live edition this evening making use of a stage outside Television centre for live music, though I only caught the last 15 minutes. On Breakfast this morning they were interviewing from the 'Blue Peter studio'. I guess producers have been making the most out of the 50th birthday in the hope it puts some pressure against anything anyone considering axing it.

Definetly, thought the fireworks were a bit naff, however a good programme overall I certainly enjoyed it

The 50th birthday special didn't seem that special, most of the features just seemed like a normal episode

I'm surprised no past presenters didn't appear, even fairly recent ones like Gethin or Konnie, and hardly any look back in the archives, not even recent history, plus the new male presenter seems really annoying

Was actually thinking that myself, the only person that did turn up was the Grand-Daughter of the first blue peter presenter. Looks like they were all at the tea party and that was good enough for them, rather than turning up at the Live Show

Fireworks don't really have the same effect in daylight. And neither does BBC TV Centre - at night it can look pretty damn good, but in the daylight we see what it for the concrete monstrosity it really is.


Agree a shame they didn't have some old faces back, but after a turbulent year I think the show is beginning to find it's feet again.

As a normal episode of Blue Peter it was pretty good. Being outside gave the programme time to breathe outside that small studio.

Not sure of the guest list, but why Peter Duncan was not at the Palace, whilst Yvette Fielding, who according to Richard Marson’s book left on bad terms seems odd.

Also everyone involved with the filming assignment at the Palace where wearing 50th Anniversary Badges, yet no mention on the programme about them, or how viewers can win one.

If the former editor had been in charge, this would have been a cracking celebration.

The presenters that were at the palace were the ten longest serving presenters. In order these are...

1. John Noakes
2. Peter Purves
3. Konnie Huq
4. Valerie Singleton
5. Christopher Trace
6. Simon Groom
7. Matt Baker
8. Lesley Judd
9. Simon Thomas
10. Diane Louise-Jordan

Obviously Christopher Trace wasn't there for obvious reasons, presumably Simon Thomas wasn't available, so the next two longest serving presenters is Liz Barker and Yvette Fielding, and assuming Liz wasn't available either, next on the list is Katy Hill.

I thought it was quite a good show, only wished they'd focused on the 50 years of Blue Peter a bit more rather than other items that could have been used in regular editions of the show. I felt that there should have been an opportunity to include Leila Williams somewhere too being the original presenter alongside Chris Trace.

I have strong memories of the 40th Birthday show, where loads of past presenters returned to take part in an Ultimate Blue Peter challenge, which involved having to do a make and tossing pancakes etc (where John Noakes got one stuck on the ceiling). And for weeks after they had a segment of the show where they showed classic clips, and even had past presenters come back and co-host shows too.

Shame! Bring back Richard Marson I say!

BP used to move around from studio to studio - even studio centre to studio centre, either TVC or Lime Grove or occasionally even the TV Theatre, depending on the content of the programme and how much space it needed, and which studios were available. So some programmes would have originated from a colour capable studio, others wouldn't.

... though I think that was mainly a last minute arrangement when they suddenly found them one presenter short thanks to Richard Bacon.

The 50th celebrations were not a patch ( no pun intended ) on the 40th. These occasions should call for a " reunion ". People are getting older and might not be around for the 60th ( or neither will BP )*

*And I know two of the " younger " presenters have died, before anyone points out it's not just old people that expire!