BBC Breakfast hosts pay tribute to Biddy Baxter

BBC Breakfast presenter Sarah Campbell made a ‘sad’ announcement during Monday’s (11 August) instalment of the programme, as she shared news of a public figure’s d3ath.

Sarah joined Jon Kay to front Monday’s BBC Breakfast, with the presenter standing in for the usual host Sally Nugent.

Midway through the show, Sarah and Jon shared the news of Joan ‘Biddy’ Baxter’s d3ath, with a tribute to the late Blue Peter producer airing.

“Some sad news this morning because the pioneering BBC television producer Biddy Baxter has d!ed at the age of 92,” Sarah told BBC viewers.

Jon then added: “For more than a quarter of a century, she was in charge of Blue Peter, devising the format which turned it into the most successful children’s programme on television.”

He then handed over the BBC’s arts correspondent, David Sillito, who provided further information about Biddy’s career while numerous clips and photographs of the late star were shown.

Jon and Sarah paid tribute to Biddy Baxter on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC)

Following the touching tribute, Sarah and Jon shared their memories of Blue Peter and spoke about Biddy’s career.

“What a legend of children’s television. That programme, when I was growing up, it was all about Blue Peter,” Sarah said, prompting Jon to add: “It really was, wasn’t it? And, just that name, at the end of every episode, Biddy Baxter. You’d see it on the telly, wouldn’t you?”

Sarah revealed she’d once sent a drawing to Blue Peter, while Jon proudly told how he received a Blue Peter badge.

Concluding the segment, Jon said of Biddy: “She was absolutely ahead of her time.” Sarah agreed: “She really was, and she was in control of that programme.”

Jon added, “Yes, presenters talking about living in fear of hearing her heels going down the steps into the studio to brief them between items!”

Biddy Baxter d!ed age 92 on 10 August (Image: Getty)

News of Biddy’s d3ath broke on Sunday, 10 August, with an announcement shared on Facebook by Ten Acre Films, which published her biography last year.

The post read: “We are sad to report that longtime Blue Peter Editor Biddy Baxter has d!ed at the age of 92. We salute a true pioneer, who navigated changing times in the television industry with instinct, tenacity, and style.”

Biddy was famed for being the editor of Blue Peter, having taken on the role in 1962 and made the TV show a firm favourite.