Latest news with #BritishAcademyChildren'sAwards


Glasgow Times
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Former Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter dies aged 92
As editor of the popular children's programme between 1965 and 1988, she introduced viewer engagement segments including the national appeals and the famous Blue Peter badge, encouraging children to send letters, pictures and programme ideas. 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… — 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.


The Herald Scotland
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Former Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter dies aged 92
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. Biddy Baxter at the British Academy Children's Awards (PA) Baxter took over as editor of Blue Peter in 1965, several years after the programme's launch. She introduced viewer engagement segments including the national appeals and the famous Blue Peter badge, encouraging children to send letters, pictures and programme ideas. 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 directors-general John Birt and Sir Michael Checkland after her departure, and received the special award at the Bafta Children's Awards in 2013.

Western Telegraph
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Former Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter dies aged 92
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. Biddy Baxter at the British Academy Children's Awards (PA) Baxter took over as editor of Blue Peter in 1965, several years after the programme's launch. She introduced viewer engagement segments including the national appeals and the famous Blue Peter badge, encouraging children to send letters, pictures and programme ideas. 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 directors-general John Birt and Sir Michael Checkland after her departure, and received the special award at the Bafta Children's Awards in 2013.


Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BAFTA TV Awards new categories explained after major ceremony scrapped
The BAFTAs will be slightly different this year (Image: AFP via Getty Images) The 2025 BAFTA TV Awards will be slightly different due to a new shake-up. There will be two new categories added to the ceremony due to cuts in another event. The new awards will come under the titles of Children's Scripted and Children's Non-Scripted, which will be included in the main show for the first time. This year the British Academy Children's Awards were cancelled and instead has been combined with the TV BAFTAs in a first for the awards. The BAFTA Children and Young People Awards came to an end in 2023 due to a "consistent drop in entries and engagement" and have now been replaced by new categories for children's media within the main BAFTA ceremonies. READ MORE: Amanda Holden labelled 'lady in red' by fans in Jackie O-inspired high street co-ord Alan Cumming is hosting the night (Image: BAFTA/Rachell Smith) According to BAFTA, the move was part of a larger rebrand and initiative under the "Young BAFTA" banner. Sara Putt, BAFTA chair, said: "We are evolving the way we celebrate children's film and television to ensure our support of the children's media sector is impactful, relevant and sustainable. "The new Young BAFTA Advisory Group, to be led by BAFTA board-member and industry expert Andrew Miller, will align BAFTA's long-standing support of children's media sector with our charitable mission to bring their excellent work to wider public attention and nurture the next generation of talent. "We are grateful for the generosity of time and expertise of BAFTA's former children's committee, for their tireless work to-date and their support of this next chapter." Alan Cumming will be presenting the event this year for the first time. The star is best known for his job hosting The Traitors US as well as starring in GoldenEye and The Good Wife. His most recent work includes being in Doctor Who. When Alan was first announced as the presenter, Emma Baehr, executive director of awards & content at BAFTA, said: "We're delighted that Alan Cumming will be hosting this year's BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises. "He will definitely bring a playful sense of mischief and fun to the ceremony, so audiences should expect the unexpected at Britain's biggest celebration of TV on Sunday 11th May. "The sheer quality, innovation, and breadth of talent in British television in front of and behind the camera is second to none, and we look forward to honouring and celebrating these talented people at our upcoming awards ceremonies." The event will take place in the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 11 May, 2025. It is available to watch from home from 7pm as it airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The programme will air for two hours will plenty of famous faces up for awards. You can watch all of the pre-show red carpet action on YouTube where comedians Suzi Ruffell and Tom Allen will be hosting the stream. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .