Blue Peter says goodbye to live shows with final episode

Blue Peter has recorded its final live episode as the show moves to a pre-recorded format, the BBC said.

Airing weekly on Fridays, the longest-running children’s show in the world began on October 16 1958 with its intrepid presenters and characterful pets.

The BBC said the series has been a mix of live and pre-recorded shows for decades, and it has decided to stop future live episodes “as viewing habits change”.

The corporation said that Blue Peter will continue to be broadcast on CBBC, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Former Blue Peter presenters, including Richard Bacon and Simon Thomas, have expressed their upset at the news that the programme will shift away from real-time TV.

Thomas wrote on Instagram: “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.”

The broadcaster, who is now a presenter on Sky Sports show Soccer Saturday, also said that the show gave him “incredible memories that will stay with me forever,” and “took a chance on me” when he had no experience.

Reacting to Thomas’ post on X, Bacon wrote that he “loved” Blue Peter and said “being live is what made it alive”.

“I remember walking from one side of the studio to the other – doing a piece to camera – and seeing the whole crew, five cameras, and another on a crane, track with me,” he wrote.

“I know that doesn’t sound like much – but the first time it happened, it was mind-blowing. It was just a big, well-made, lovingly made, really well-resourced live kids TV show.

“That had been live in that building for decades. It was a magical experience (for, you know, all of 20 months).”

Bacon was sacked from Blue Peter in the 1990s, after admitting drug taking, but did return, receiving a Blue Peter badge on the 60th anniversary.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Blue Peter won’t just be available to view online and will remain on the CBBC and BBC Two linear channels, as well as BBC iPlayer and sign zone.

“The programme has been a mix of live and pre-recorded shows for decades and has transitioned to a pre-record model as viewing habits change.

“Blue Peter continues to be loved by generations across the UK.

“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 and sustain its legacy for years to come.”

The current line-up of presenters include Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney and Abby Cook.