Over seven decades, Blue Peter has established itself as not just a popular children’s TV show but part of the British cultural DNA.
But staff working on the much-loved BBC show last night shared their fears that it could be axed after three of its presenters quit in just over a year.
Insiders describe the show, famous for its craft projects making liberal use of ‘sticky-back plastic’ as a ‘very unhappy, sinking ship’.
Popular host Mwaksy Mudenda, 27, quit the show at the end of last month, leaving just two presenters to anchor it for the first time since long-standing daredevil presenter John Noakes joined Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves in 1965.
There are also fears for viewing figures, with insiders fearing its broadcast on digital channel CBBC struggles to keep up with platforms like YouTube Kids as well as other distractions such as computer games.
Staff working on the much-loved BBC show last night shared their fears that it could be axed after three of its presenters quit in just over a year. Pictured, former presenters John Noakes holding Shep the dog, Valerie Singleton holding Jason the cat and Peter Purves holding Petra in 1971
The format has always been three presenters and now it would seem Henry the dog has been given a bigger role on the sofa
The format has always been three presenters and now it would seem Henry the dog has been given a bigger role on the sofa. Pictured, left to right, Tim Vincent, Diane-Louise Jordan and Stuart Miles in 1994
One told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s all a bit concerning. It used to be the case that when there was an outgoing presenter a new one would be lined up straight away to take over. It was like they were passing on the Blue Peter baton.
‘But in recent years they’ve really struggled. The fact that they have yet to replace Mwaksy is very telling.
The format has always been three presenters and now it would seem Henry the dog has been given a bigger role on the sofa.
‘Losing three presenters in 14 months has not been ideal. There’s a feeling among the crew that Blue Peter is a sinking ship, which is not a happy place to be.
‘It has been such an institution but Blue Peter hasn’t managed to keep up with the times and the magazine show format is tired.’
Mudenda’s departure follows the loss of presenter Richie Driss, 24, in March. He was replaced a week later by Scottish wheelchair racer Abby Cook, 20.
In July 2022, Adam Beales, 24, left the show after less than two years to get more ‘balance’ in his life.
He was replaced by Bangor-born Joel Mawhinney, 26, who continues to present the show with Ms Cook.
Fears for the programme come just days after Prince William became the latest member of the Royal Family to earn a Blue Peter badge.
In 2011 Blue Peter was moved from its teatime slot on BBC One to CBBC. Pictured, Barney Harwood and Helen Skelton cuddle Barney, the dog in 2011
Fears for the programme come just days after Prince William became the latest member of the Royal Family to earn a Blue Peter badge. Pictured, from left to right, Peter Purves, Valerie Singleton and John Noakes
He received it as part of the programme’s 65th anniversary celebration for his Earthshot prize rewarding ideas to save the planet.
The show has long links with royalty, from Princess Anne making a special safari episode with Ms Singleton in 1971 to King Charles and Queen Camilla being given special Blue Peter badges ahead of their Coronation.
In 2011 Blue Peter was moved from its teatime slot on BBC One to CBBC after the production team relocated from London to Media City in Salford in Manchester.
In its BBC One heyday, the programme attracted nearly eight million viewers.
The BBC yesterday refused to share its current viewing figures but did say a recent book competition received 6,000 applications. From left to right, Mark Curry, Yvette Fielding and Caron Keating with Bonnie in 1999
But in 2017 a repeated episode failed to register a single viewer – five days after its first broadcast attracted an audience of 53,000.
The BBC yesterday refused to share its current viewing figures but did say a recent book competition received 6,000 applications.
A spokesman played down the problems on the show, saying that there are currently ‘no plans’ to drop it.
They added: ‘The programme continues to be enjoyed by audiences on the CBBC channel and iPlayer.
Blue Peter has a track-record of launching talent who go on to have great success in the entertainment industry, and we are always pleased to see our presenters move onwards in their careers.
‘We have two new brilliant and popular presenters; social media star Joel Mawhinney and Paralympian Abby Cook.’
Other notable presenters over the decades include Anthea Turner, Janet Ellis, Yvette Fielding, Konnie Huq and Richard Bacon, who was fired in 1998 after being caught taking cocaine.
