Do you watch Blue Peter? The BBC is in a panic because the number of children who watch the programme has slumped to a 50-year low. The BBC says that one reason could be timing: Blue Peter is now shown earlier, before many children are back from school.. So could this be the end for an old favourite? Take a look at some of its most memorable moments…

When Blue Peter first screened in 1958, it was in black and white and lasted for only 15 minutes. The two presenters showed children at home how to do some very traditional activities – making model aeroplanes and trains for boys, and cooking and dolls for girls.

One of Blue Peter’s most fondly remembered guests was a baby elephant called Lulu who came to the show in 1969. She caused havoc by knocking over everything she could find (including her keeper), stamping on the presenter’s foot, and leaving a very smelly memento on the studio floor. (Watch the video above)

Blue Peter’s daredevil presenters have had a go at all manner of things, from jumping out of a plane to abseiling down BBC Television Centre. One of the most terrifying stunts came in 1977, when presenter John Noakes climbed Nelson’s Column in London to clean off the encrusted pigeon poo.

When Konnie Huq left on January 23, 2008 she departed as Blue Peter’s longest-serving female presenter, having started the job on December 1, 1997. Konnie’s highlights included being an extra in a Bollywood film and breaking a Guinness World Record by pinning 17 Blue Peter badges onto fellow presenter Andy Akinwolere’s shirt.

My Blue Peter moment by Chloe Lambert

I was lucky enough to be on Blue Peter when I was nine, to sing a carol with my school for the Christmas edition. The studio was much smaller than it looked on television but it was great fun to meet the presenters and the pets. They wanted us to look Christmassy, so we had to wear our coats, scarves, hats and gloves, even under the sweltering studio lights. During one rehearsal I suddenly felt very hot and found myself keeling over on to the floor. I was taken backstage, feeling very embarrassed!

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