As he wished the classic BBC programme a happy birthday, Richard Bacon made a sly allusion to the drug incident that cost him his job on Blue Peter in the 1990s.
The popular children’s show, which is known for its badges, daring hosts, and studio craft challenges, and has launched the careers of several presenters such as Helen Skelton, Konnie Huq, Gethin Jones, and Peter Purves, celebrated its 65th anniversary on Monday.
Blue Peter, the world’s longest-running children’s television show, began as a 15-minute programme slated to air for only six weeks when it debuted on October 16, 1958.
As it hit what used to be retirement age, former editor-in-chief Richard Marson took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to pay tribute to the institution, praising it as a ‘television treasure that deserves to be nurtured and sustained for future generations’.
Richard, 47, then reposted the message and added his on message, which began: ‘A very happy birthday Blue Peter. The most important stage of my career.’
Beating anyone else to the punch, he then poked fun at himself by adding: ‘Yes sure, I may not have lasted, you know, THAT long* But I love Blue Peter deeply. (I lost my job for poor punctuality**) (**When you take drugs, you tend to run late).’
Richard worked on Blue Peter for 18 months until being fired in 1998, at the age of 22, after confessing to using cocaine a week after the show’s wholesome 40th anniversary festivities.
He became the first presenter of the children’s show to have his contract terminated in the middle of the season, prompting the Head of BBC Children’s Programmes, Lorraine Heggessey, to appear on the air to explain why Richard had been fired from the show following his “late night binge.”
‘Richard has not only let himself and the team of Blue Peter down, but he’s also let all of you down badly,’ she told viewers at the time.
‘So, we have decided that Richard cannot present on Blue Peter and he agrees that that is the right decision.’
Former CEO Richard Marson acknowledged his retweet and commented positively to the presenter’s lighthearted admission, commenting of his tenure: ‘It was very good while it lasted!
‘Proud to be the second Richard who loved the show and came a cropper, before moving on and never losing sight of the blessings of BP…,’ he added.
Richard Bacon later became a presenter on Good Morning Britain and BBC Radio Five Live.
Blue Peter may be axed when three hosts leave, according to sources just before its historic birthday.
While 27-year-old broadcaster Mwaka ‘Mwaksy’ Mudenda declared her departure from Blue Peter last month, Richie Driss, 24, resigned in March, and Adam Beales, also 24, left in July 2022, Blue Peter lost three presenters in only 14 months.
MailOnline reported that platforms like YouTube Kids and computer games were stiff competition for the show.
A source told the outlet: ‘It’s all a bit concerning. It used to be the case that when there was an outgoing presenter a new one would be lined up straight away to take over. It was like they were passing on the Blue Peter baton.
‘But in recent years they’ve really struggled. The fact that they have yet to replace Mwaksy is very telling.’
However, a spokesperson for the show had robustly denied the rumours, saying: ‘The future for Blue Peter is bright, there are categorically no plans to stop it. The programme continues to be enjoyed by audiences on the CBBC channel and iPlayer.
‘Blue Peter has a track-record of launching talent who go on to have great success in the entertainment industry, and we are always pleased to see our presenters move onwards in their careers. We have two new brilliant and popular presenters; social media star Joel Mawhinney and para-athlete Abby Cook.
‘Blue Peter still inspires children as seen with the popularity of the new Blue Peter Book Badge launched last month, and it continues to be a much-loved part of the CBBC line up, celebrating its 65th Birthday just this week.’