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Royal appointment for Blue Peter Blue Peter to mark 50th birthday
(about 9 hours later)
The Queen has marked the 50th birthday of BBC children's show Blue Peter with a tea party at Buckingham Palace. The golden anniversary of children's programme Blue Peter will be marked with a specially extended edition on BBC One on Thursday.
Presenters from the past and present met the monarch, as did the long-running series' main production staff. The live show will feature a fireworks display at BBC Television Centre in London, and a performance from McFly.
Four viewers were presented with special gold badges by the Queen, a Blue Peter gold badge holder herself. Past and present hosts will be shown meeting the Queen at Tuesday's party at Buckingham Palace, where she honoured four viewers with gold badges.
John Noakes, Valerie Singleton, Simon Groom and Konnie Huq were among the ex-presenters in attendance as the show The special programme will be shown on from 1715-1800 BST on BBC One.
received its Royal seal of approval. John Noakes, Valerie Singleton, Simon Groom and Konnie Huq were among the ex-presenters in attendance at Buckingham Palace, when the show received its Royal seal of approval earlier in the week. Noakes (right, with Shep) is Blue Peter's longest-serving presenter class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/7649362.stm">Fifty things for Blue Peter at 50
The tea party was filmed and will be shown in an extended edition of Blue Peter on Thursday, the day of the show's anniversary.
Noakes (right, with Shep) is Blue Peter's longest-serving presenter Fifty things for Blue Peter at 50
"Blue Peter has been at the heart of children's lives for 50 years, and we are absolutely delighted that the Queen is recognising this," said editor Tim Levell."Blue Peter has been at the heart of children's lives for 50 years, and we are absolutely delighted that the Queen is recognising this," said editor Tim Levell.
Speaking at Buckingham Palace before the tea party, Peter Purves said he was "seriously thrilled" and "absolutely delighted" to be invited.Speaking at Buckingham Palace before the tea party, Peter Purves said he was "seriously thrilled" and "absolutely delighted" to be invited.
"I've always wanted to look inside Buckingham Palace, so now I'll get the chance," joked John Noakes."I've always wanted to look inside Buckingham Palace, so now I'll get the chance," joked John Noakes.
Asked to explain Blue Peter's longevity, Singleton said it was down to the show being "a fantastic programme that does so many different things".Asked to explain Blue Peter's longevity, Singleton said it was down to the show being "a fantastic programme that does so many different things".
"There will always be room for this kind of programme," Purves told the BBC News channel."There will always be room for this kind of programme," Purves told the BBC News channel.


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Are you a Blue Peter fan? Did you make one of the models designed by the Blue Peter team? Did you win a Blue Peter badge? What are your fondest memories of the show? Send your comments and pictures to the BBC using the form below:Are you a Blue Peter fan? Did you make one of the models designed by the Blue Peter team? Did you win a Blue Peter badge? What are your fondest memories of the show? Send your comments and pictures to the BBC using the form below:
Send us your Blue Peter badge and project pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send us your Blue Peter badge and project pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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