18 hours ago
Biddy Baxter: Tributes paid to Blue Peter legend
Tributes are being paid to one of the legends of UK children's TV. Joan Baxter, or Biddy Baxter as she was known, has died at the age of 92, friends and former colleagues have Baxter was in charge of Blue Peter for more than twenty years, turning it into one of TV's most famous and popular shows. When she was given a special TV award by Sir David Attenborough, he said no-one has been more dedicated or passionate in the history of children's television.
Biddy Baxter joined Blue Peter in 1962, and became the programme's editor three years had a huge impact, transforming it into one of the most successful children's TV also worked closely with Edward Barnes, the creator of Newsround.
Baxter came up with many of the ideas that are still a big part of Blue Peter today. She was passionate about getting young viewers involved in the show, which was unusual for TV programmes at that a year of being in charge of the show, she had introduced the iconic Blue Peter badge after asking a young artist called Tony Hart to design the ship also launched Blue Peter's annual appeals, collecting old toys and silver paper for good also created the first Blue Peter garden, and it was her idea to introduce a Blue Peter pet to the programme.
Biddy Baxter left the programme in 1988, and on her departure she was awarded a Blue Peter Gold Badge, the programme's highest 2013, she was presented with a special BAFTA for her work on Blue Sir David Attenborough gave Baxter her award, he said that in the history of BBC children's programmes - no one had been more dedicated, passionate or pioneering.
