Blue Peter, 50 years old today. At least, I think it's today. Here's teh question: were you a Blue Peter house or a Magpie house?
We were a Blue Peter house, but only because I didn't like Magpie, and my brother had to watch whatever I wanted to watch. I preferred the presenters on BP, and of course the pets. I thought Jason the cat was such a noble creature. John Noakes irritated me, though he could be very funny, Peter Purves dressed like a geography teacher and Auntie Val, was Auntie Val. I quite liked her Special Assignments, especially the one to Edinburgh when she told the story of Greyfriar's Bobby.
Someone recently asked me my favourite presenter combo and I think it's John/Pete/Lesley Judd. I remember when she joined. But then I remember when they all joined. They used to do a little film of their life, and I remember Simon Groom's being on his dad's farm and showing his work as a DJ ("I can tell by what someone's wearing what music they like. I can say 'she's a Donna Summer fan'").
I loved the appeals (though I never sent), the summer holidays ("Ceylon"), the groups they had on (The Glitter Band singing Angel Face stands out), and most of all the advent crown lighting when the choir enter the studio singing. Still brings a tear to my eye just to think about it.
Of course, I haven't watched it in years. Well, why would I?
So we didn't like Magpie. I hated Mick Robertson, he tried too hard. It turns out Mrs F-C used to have a crush on him. I look nothing like him. I didn't care for his corkscrew hair, and I didn't like any of the other presentes either, not even Jenny Handley. She was a bit old for me.
Now, when I look back, I can see that Magpie was the groovy one, with Blue Peter the more studious cousin.
It speaks volumes doesn't it?
