Former Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter dies aged 92
Former presenter on the show Peter Duncan remembered her as 'a true force of nature'.
Biddy Baxter at the British Academy Children's Awards (PA)
He told BBC Breakfast: 'For me, she was a wonderful, inspiring person, and not just for her presenters, but for what she got onto BBC television, and the kind of things she projected about young people.
'She was a true enthusiast and a supporter of young people.'
He added: 'She was truly a one-off within the BBC. I think that if something upset her, she would trail off to see the DG (director-general) and tell him what she thought, really. So we need people like that now more than ever.'
Born Joan Maureen Baxter in Leicester to Bryan Reginald Baxter and Dorothy Vera (nee Briers), she studied at St Mary's College, Durham University, where she first encountered recruitment flyers for the BBC.
She joined the public broadcaster as a radio studio manager in 1955, and was promoted to producing Schools Junior English programmes and Listen With Mother, before making the transition to television.
Baxter took over as editor of Blue Peter in 1965, several years after the programme's launch.
'She was truly a one off within the BBC if something upset her she would trail off and see the DG and tell him what she thought'
Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan spoke to #BBCBreakfast about long-serving editor Biddy Baxter, who turned the children's show into a… pic.twitter.com/cWTE3rof1G
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) August 11, 2025
She was seen as a formidable figure and some have criticised her conduct, including former presenter Yvette Fielding, who claimed she was bullied on the show and said Baxter had been 'incredibly cruel'.
Baxter served as editor for more than two decades, winning two Bafta awards and receiving 12 nominations.
Upon her departure from the show in 1988, she was awarded the programme's highest honour, a gold Blue Peter Badge.
'I didn't want to do anything other than Blue Peter,' she told The Guardian in 2013.
'I certainly never wanted to be an administrator or in charge of anything.
'It was an absolute dream and I never wanted to do anything else.
'It was a terrific time to be in television.'
She continued to act as a consultant to BBC director-generals Lord Birt and Sir Michael Checkland after her departure, and received the special award at the Bafta Children's Awards in 2013.
Baxter was made an MBE in 1981 and founded a trust to enable gifted music scholars to pursue postgraduate studies in 2003.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
6 minutes ago
- Telegraph
BBC calls police after Strictly cocaine investigation
The BBC has called in police after its investigation into alleged cocaine use on Strictly Come Dancing by two stars. Bosses launched an inquiry into the apparent drug use in what is the latest controversy to hit the Saturday night prime-time show. The Metropolitan Police is now investigating, ahead of the start of the 23rd series next month, the Sun on Sunday reported. 'It's a significant new development in the BBC's recent string of crises that they have now got the police involved in investigating allegations surrounding Strictly,' a source said. 'This is a very dramatic turn of events. 'Despite all the show and its team have been through over recent months, it's hugely controversial that you've now got Scotland Yard detectives probing Strictly. 'This is their biggest prime-time family entertainment show, so it's not a good look for the BBC.' Corporation bosses appointed law firm Pinsent Masons earlier this month to investigate the claims. Ongoing investigation into bullying The allegations were first made by Russells, another law firm, in March on behalf of Wynne Evans, a former contestant on the show, who was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly tour. Others have also reported drug use on the show, with a celebrity allegedly claiming it was 'well known on the show that two stars took cocaine'. This is despite an ongoing investigation into bullying and inappropriate behaviour on the show over the past 14 months. A Met Police spokesman said: 'On Monday 4 August, the Metropolitan Police received a third-party allegation. 'The police investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been made at this time.' Alleged drug use is the latest scandal to shake Strictly in recent years. Last year, Amanda Abbington, an actress who starred in Sherlock, alleged she was subjected to 'inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying' by Giovanni Pernice, a former Strictly dancer, while she was a contestant in 2023. In a review published last year, the corporation found no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld. The fallout from the review sparked the BBC to update its duty of care practices on the show and led Strictly to chaperones being present when celebrities and dancers were practising their routines. Italian dancer Pernice, who rejected 'any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour', welcomed the conclusion of the BBC review. Abbington left the dance show early, citing 'personal reasons' before alleging 'inappropriate behaviour'. Separately, Evans, the Welsh opera singer known for starring in adverts for GoCompare, was dropped by the corporation for using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly tour. Evans went on to accuse Strictly of being 'fundamentally flawed in its duty of care', alleging the BBC had engaged in a series of 'lies and cover‑ups in order to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing'. He previously said he had never approved of the statement that was issued by the BBC in January in which he apologised for making an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' comment.
Western Telegraph
34 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans slam Thomas Skinner casting
After the BBC revealed his casting, Tom said: "I'm beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. "I've tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time, but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next-level stuff! "I've never danced in my life (other than at weddings), but I'm ready to graft and, of course, have a laugh. I better start learning how to dance 😂😂 Honestly over the moon to be asked to be a contestant on @bbcstrictly - Can't wait to learn and give it me best shot. Bosh❤️ — Thomas Skinner ⚒ (@iamtomskinner) August 14, 2025 "Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!' Strictly Come Dancing fans express outrage after 'dangerous and inappropriate' casting of Thomas Skinner by the BBC Many Strictly Come Dancing fans expressed anger at the decision by the BBC to cast Thomas Skinner. One person said: "Someone tell Strictly that being controversial isn't cute, and platforming someone like Thomas Skinner at ANY time, but even more so in the current political climate, is inappropriate and dangerous." Another penned: "It's really not that hard for Strictly to do their research and know that Thomas Skinner should not be a part of the show, full stop. "What a very disappointing choice after what was a great lineup so far. Strictly, DO BETTER." A third added: "Complained to Ofcom about Thomas Skinner's casting in @bbcstrictly. SHAME ON YOU." However, many were happy at the news, with one person writing: "Urh, this is the first year I'm actually up for watching Strictly. Thomas Skinner for the win! Bosh!" All the Strictly Come Dancing contestants announced for the 2025 series so far See all the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing contestants announced so far... Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – Nitro from Gladiators Dani Dyer – former Love Islander Alex Kingston – actor, ER and Doctor Who star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – ex-footballer Balvinder Sopal – EastEnders star George Clarke - YouTuber and podcaster La Voix - RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalist Chris Robshaw -former England rugby union player and captain Ellie Goldstein - model Tom Skinner - The Apprentice star and social media influencer Vicky Pattison - TV presenter Stefan Dennis - Neighbours star Strictly Come Dancing will return to the BBC and BBC iPlayer this September.
Wales Online
36 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Homes Under the Hammer host left speechless by Cardiff property 'don't often see that'
Homes Under the Hammer host left speechless by Cardiff property 'don't often see that' Homes Under the Hammer host Martin Roberts was stunned as he toured a Welsh property Homes Under the Hammer host Martin Roberts was left speechless by a Cardiff property as he admitted, "You don't often see that". During Sunday's (August 17) episode of the BBC programme, Martin arrived at a six bedroom house in Roath, a small suburb of the Welsh capital city. The bay fronted three storey property had a guide price of £290,000, which instantly suggested at its poor condition. As he walked through the front door, Martin quickly noticed a problem, saying: "Well, I've just noticed that the external door there is not actually in existence, and this one looks pretty bad." He added: "I think we are definitely in the realms of a bit of a mess." Martin Roberts was left speechless on Sunday (Image: BBC) Article continues below Martin continued to walk through the hallway, before coming across the front lounge. However, he wasn't able to walk into the room as it was filled with blocks of wood, paper and scraps of wallpaper. The floor was also non-existent, with just wood beams across the space. "You kind of expect a floor, but perhaps we need to reposition our expectations and not take anything for granted," Martin said. "Dear, oh, dear. You don't often see that." A six bedroom property in Cardiff was up for sale (Image: BBC) The presenter then went into the rear lounge, which was in slightly better condition, followed by a third reception room, kitchen and downstairs bathroom. The space continued upstairs with a small bathroom and several spacious bedrooms that had some "lovely" touches. "I'm guessing there's been an issue with damp here that someone has started to tackle at some point," Martin then noted. The property was bought by couple and business partners Hannah and George, who snapped it up with a pre-auction offer of £335,000. The house was in a poor condition (Image: BBC) The pair revealed that they already had planning permission to turn the house into four two-bedroom flats with a budget of £230,000 and a timescale of seven months. However, when Martin returned one year and nine months later, the project still wasn't finished. "The contractor that we had to begin with had many jobs at the same time so it got quite challenging for him, so we had to swap out the build team at one point," George explained. Couple Hannah and George transformed the home (Image: BBC) Hannah then revealed that they also had a baby during the build, which further delayed proceedings, as well as their other businesses. Article continues below Despite the delays, returning estate agent Jason Phillips was stunned at the home's transformation, saying: "They've done an amazing job. I can't believe it, I had to check the door on the way in to make sure I was coming into the right house." He revealed that Hannah and George could easily achieve £200,000 to £220,000 for each flat. Homes Under the Hammer is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
