Blue Peter undergoes major change after six decades as BBC staff left reeling

Blue Peter has undergone a major change after over six decades on the BBC and will now be pre-recorded, according to one of its former stars Simon Thomas

Blue Peter has undergone a major change

Blue Peter has undergone a major change (
Image: PA)

Blue Peter has undergone a major change after six decades in a shock move that has left fans and staff reeling. The long-running BBC children’s show will now just be pre-recorded, with staff shocked by the decision.

Former star Simon Thomas posted: “Apparently (I had no idea) today is the last ever LIVE Blue Peter on television. The show isn’t finishing, there is apparently going to be a show online; just not live on the TV anymore.”

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In a lengthy post, he added: “When I look back at those heady days on #bluepeter I will be forever grateful for three things: 1. The show took a chance on me all those years ago. I had no experience, was a complete unknown and had been told by one Children’s BBC editor a couple of years before that I would never make it as a kids presenter!

Blue Peter recently celebrated its 65th anniversary
Blue Peter recently celebrated its 65th anniversary (
Image:
PA)
“2. We probably didn’t realise it at the time; but we were working in the last years of the golden age of children’s TV, a time when children’s programmes filled the afternoons and Saturday mornings on BBC1 and ITV. An era when audiences were measured in the millions rather than the thousands. I don’t say golden in arrogant way; but everything has fragmented now and the way children consume entertainment has changed forever. There will never be another era like it again.”

Another added: “3. I got to present a live show. There is nothing like live television and I learnt so much during those years and it gave me the foundations to go on to work in sport where everything is live.

“Writing this reaffirms how blessed I’ve been to work on show like #bluepeter and had the career I have. It’s given me incredible memories that will stay with me forever. For the avoidance of any doubt, BP isn’t finishing, it just won’t be live on the telly anymore.”

Blue Peter has had many famous presenters over the years
Blue Peter has had many famous presenters over the years (
Image:
Publicity Picture)
Sources claim that staff have been shocked by the news, with it being planned for a while by big bosses at the broadcaster. “Of course, this has been in the works for months,” the source told The Mail on Sunday, “The big bosses all knew what was happening, and those they did tell were told to keep it quiet. It’s a huge shock, and a number of the crew still have no idea what’s going on.” The Mirror have contacted the BBC for comment.

Fellow stars of the show posted on Simon’s original Instagram post, admitting they were shocked by the news. Matt Baker shared: “WHHHAATTT ?? Mate we had the most incredible time! The best memories and the end of the most magical energy and spirit to be shared across the Country at tea time X I feel very fortunate to have experienced and shared the feeling.”

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Katy Hill added: “Wow! No idea here either! And I totally agree … live TV was magical as a kid! That social connection & shared experience is missing now x,” as Ricky Boleto shared: “I didn’t know either! Can’t believe it. The live element of any children’s TV show is what makes it so entertaining, because anything can happen and usually does!! Perhaps they’ll still film it ‘as live.'”

Blue Peter has been an icon of the BBC for years and is the longest running children’s TV show. It ws broadcasted mostly from London’s Television Centre until the early 2010s when it moved to MediaCityUK in Salford.