In a significant shift that marks the end of an era, the BBC has officially announced that after 66 years of live broadcasts, the beloved children's program Blue Peter will transition to pre-recorded episodes. This change comes as viewer habits evolve, with the last live episode airing on March 23, 2025.
First introduced to audiences in October 1958, Blue Peter has been a cornerstone of children's television, charming viewers with its mix of informative content and engaging presentations. The show, famously featuring intrepid presenters and characterful pets, will continue to be available across multiple platforms, including CBBC, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and Sign Zone.
The announcement has sent waves of shock through both the show’s current team of presenters—Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney, and Abby Cook—and its former stars. Simon Thomas, a well-known face from the show’s earlier years, took to Instagram following the announcement, expressing: “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.”
Reflecting on his time with Blue Peter, Thomas added, “When I look back at those heady days on Blue Peter, 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!” He went on to reminisce about working during what he called “the last years of the golden age of children’s TV.”
This sentiment was echoed by his former co-host, Richard Bacon, who wrote on March 22, “I love and loved that show. Even if it caused me some bother. Being live is what made it alive.” Bacon, who was infamously sacked in the 1990s over personal issues but later returned for the show's 60th anniversary, also reflected on the chaotic yet exhilarating nature of live television, saying, “The elephant, the studio catching fire. The mistakes, the movement, the energy. At 21, hosting live in TV Centre’s vast studios was wonderful.”
Others from the Blue Peter family, including Yvette Fielding, who was a presenter from 1987 to 1992, shared their disappointment. Fielding, through various social media platforms, expressed how devastating it was that the show, which had attracted families including late Princess Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, now faced such a change.
She remarked, “How sad this is. Blue Peter wasn’t just for children; it was made for the whole family to enjoy. This is true of so many British families and it annoys and saddens me to discover the fate of this wonderful show. Shame on the people who have made this terrible decision.”
Current viewers of the show have noticed a significant decline in their numbers, now down to around 37,700 weekly viewers, compared to a peak of eight million. BBC spokespersons maintain that the transition to a pre-recorded format is a necessary step in adapting to changing audience habits and ensuring the show's legacy can be sustained. “As we continue to navigate a challenging market and young audience viewing habits evolve, it is necessary to make some changes to ensure that BBC Studios Kids and Family Productions delivers a dynamic, digital-first brand that will future-proof the show,” a BBC representative stated.
The decision was reportedly made since viewer engagement has significantly changed, with many young audiences preferring on-demand content rather than live broadcasts. The shift has surprised many within the production team, with one insider revealing that while the decision has been a long time coming, it was executed quietly without full disclosure to staff and crew.
Despite this transformation, the legacy of Blue Peter remains robust. Not only is it the longest-running children's TV show in history, but it has also kick-started the careers of numerous presenters, providing opportunities for many. The show brings to mind countless memories of creativity and fun, from craft projects to exciting guests, jokes, and the infamous mishaps that often accompanied live performances.
As fans and former presenters bid farewell to the live element of Blue Peter, there is a collective hope that as the program shifts its focus, it will continue to captivate its audience in new and engaging ways, even if it means saying goodbye to an iconic tradition that many grew up loving.
The final words from Simon Thomas ring true for many, who hope that even as the format changes, the core spirit of Blue Peter will continue to thrive: “It’s given me incredible memories that will stay with me forever.”
