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Original poster

Do your children watch Blue Peter?

46 replies

NancyDonahue · 04/12/2018 09:09

Mine are a bit too old for it now and take the mickey out of it, but I must admit I still watch Blush. I've been watching pretty much since the late 70s. I can't miss an Advent candle lighting Blush.

I was shocked to read that in its heyday it had 8 million viewers and now it's under 100k. It's hardly changed, but that's probably why not many kids want to watch. It's sad to think it may not last much longer. I think Barney not being replaced pretty much shows that when the current presenters step down it may end for good.

The presenters I remember most fondly are Sarah Green, Simon Groom, Peter Duncan, Janet Ellis and John Noakes.

It was such a massive part of my childhood. We had bring and buy sales at school, I made the Christmas cards, I swooned over Sarah Greene's clothes, I wept when Shep died and was outraged when the garden was vandalised Angry

Feel free to jump on my nostalgia train Smile

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 04/12/2018 09:12

Yes. It's still as lovely as it ever was. I loved the safe electronic candles this year Grin.

DD has two BP badges and DS has one. It's the only kids programme we record.

user187656748 · 04/12/2018 09:13

Mine never showed any interest. But then there is masses available for them to watch - most on demand too. Its different from the way it was in my day 70s and 80s. We only had three channels and under two hours of kids tv and so everyone watched Blue Peter, Grange Hill etc

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 04/12/2018 09:14

My DD is 5 and has just started watching it. We don't watch it live though, we watch Friday on iPlayer.

I think the problem is the show seems to be on for a shorter period of time so everything feels rushed.

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Euamoonatal · 04/12/2018 09:14

We didn't have BBC (we had one tv channel only growing up in rural Ireland) but I knew (enviously) about Blue Peter from magazines. My children watch Blue Peter as BBC's are the only channels we have and they are the only ones worth watching imo. I don't mind how much of it they watch as I think it is mostly educational and fun. Saturday Mash up is a family favourite!

But as we are still in Ireland I guess we are not among that 100,000 count and I am afraid I cannot reminisce with you.

SoyDora · 04/12/2018 09:15

My 5 year old loves it, it’s her favourite programme.

Tidypidy · 04/12/2018 09:18

My 3 love it! Older 2 both have several badges. DD1 won her age category in a competition earlier in the year! I loved the anniversary show. It's a fab programme still but I agree with pp it can feel rushed sometimes.

formerbabe · 04/12/2018 09:22

My DC (8&10) watch it. My youngest loves it!

BertieBotts · 04/12/2018 09:22

I don't think my DS would be interested. He's more into YouTube than TV at the best of times. That's probably not great.

I used to like it, though it sometimes annoyed me, it felt very London centric which I could never relate to and the theme tune makes me feel really patriotic in a really awful "Rule Brittania" kind of way Blush

I don't know that I'd watch it now TBH.

formerbabe · 04/12/2018 09:24

I was shocked to read that in its heyday it had 8 million viewers and now it's under 100k

But that's not so much a reflection of the programme but just because we have so many more channels and on demand services. Of course when you only had four channels or less, viewing figures for everything were much higher.

puddlesplashing · 04/12/2018 09:31

I didn't even know it was still on.

loubielou31 · 04/12/2018 10:20

We watch. And really enjoy it. I would still like to be a Blue Peter presenter. That has to be a brilliant job.

Corneliusmurphy · 04/12/2018 11:35

Two out my three dcs have blue peter badges am very proud and almost not at all jealous... have very fond memories of advent candle/coat hanger contraption and being sad about never owning sticky back plastic and double sided sticky tape...
They do watch weekly and are hoping to do the diamond badge too.

Original poster
NancyDonahue · 04/12/2018 13:02

formerbabe yes that's true. It's still very low viewing figures though. There's not even an annual anymore Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
NancyDonahue · 04/12/2018 13:09

puddle Yes still going. CBBC 5.30 on Thursdays. I record and watch it on the weekend.

I still remember the address

Blue Peter
BBC television centre
London
W12 8QT

I sent many an envelope of glittery tat to that address. Sadly never won anything 🙁

OP posts:
MamaLovesMango · 04/12/2018 13:21

DD5 watches it on iPlayer and seems to enjoy it. I was thrilled when I found out! (She watches independently on the kids iPlayer app).

I watched for a little while but it became a bit too straight laced and wholesome as I got older. DD is definitely a Blue Peter girl though!

Knittink · 04/12/2018 13:23

My dc are 10 and 13 and always found it very worthy and tedious tbh, as did I!

Crimbobimbo · 04/12/2018 13:32

I hated the days BP was on; much preferred the likes of Grange Hill/Biker Grove. I did participate in a B and B sale though.

Original poster
NancyDonahue · 04/12/2018 13:38

Look it's Sarah Greene's last episode from 1983. Tune in for some ultra wholesomeness Smile.

OP posts:
Original poster
NancyDonahue · 04/12/2018 13:39

Crimbo I loved those too. My friend wasn't allowed to watch Grange Hill so used to sneakily watch it at my house!

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 04/12/2018 13:41

I used to love it as a child and then watched it with Dd when she was younger and the gorgeous Gethin Jones was presenting.

Loyaultemelie · 04/12/2018 15:00

Neither of mine like it at all

BigFishy · 07/12/2018 20:42

My nearly 5 year old watches it. It isn't as good as I remember.

Badbadbunny · 07/12/2018 20:48

When I was young, I never missed an episode, I always entered competitions and proudly won a Blue Peter badge! We encouraged our son to watch it, but he just wasn't interested. I don't think it helps having it only once per week and it's all very "safe" these days with no equivalent to John Noakes doing anything risky or exciting. Have to agree with poster above saying it all seems very rushed too. Not too sure it helps not being on a major channel either - CBBC isn't on everyone's "radar" so easy to miss. Our son preferred Top Gear on Dave!

ScreamingValenta · 07/12/2018 20:51

Do they still make the 'advent crown' or does it now fall foul of fire-safety regulations?

lakeswimmer · 07/12/2018 21:32

For anyone with happy childhood memories of Blue Peter, Tony Walsh's 60th anniversary poem is definitely worth watching - made me cry Smile

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06nxpv9/blue-peter-big-60th-birthday-setting-sail-60-years-of-blue-peter