When Biddy Baxter met John Noakes

When their paths first crossed, producer Baxter was on the verge of shaping Blue Peter into the iconic show it would soon become, while Noakes was an actor with a streak of daredevil energy.

Although perfect for the role of children’s TV presenter, his fiery side sparked an often fraught relationship with his producer. However, despite their differences, a mutual respect developed over the years and their partnership helped to create the golden era of Blue Peter.

Following the sad death of Biddy Baxter, aged 92, on 10th August 2025, fans have been remembering some of their favourite moments, especially when the dream team of presenters John Noakes, Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton first co-hosted the show in 1967.

The early years

Born in May 1933 in Leicester, Baxter rose to the top of her profession in an era when the television industry was largely male dominated. After beginning her career with BBC Radio in 1955 as a trainee studio manager, she joined Blue Peter in October 1962. The show had been launched in October 1958 as the first BBC programme aimed specifically at children aged three to eight. Broadcast every Monday at 5pm, it was hosted by a series of presenters, none of whom seemed to gel.

Everything changed when Baxter arrived. The first charity appeal was launched in December 1962, bringing a new sense of purpose, as kids were encouraged to give at Christmas, rather than just wishing for toys for themselves. At the same time, Petra, a crossbreed dog, became the first Blue Peter Pet – a lifelong tradition over the show’s 5,000 episodes. Then came the iconic craft segments, where young viewers were shown how to make everything from Christmas decorations to rocket ships using empty cereal boxes, toilet roll tubes and sticky-back plastic!

In 1963, the legendary Blue Peter badge was born, sporting a logo designed by famous artist Tony Hart. Even today, it still means something special to anyone lucky enough to receive one.

Casting Noakes: a leap of faith

Valerie Singleton, 25, joined Blue Peter in September 1962 and quickly became a much-loved presenter. In 1965, when the show was first aired twice weekly, Baxter needed an additional host. Noakes was starring in Hobson’s Choice at Leicester’s Phoenix Theatre. On seeing a newspaper photo of the rugged, slightly wild looking actor, she was intrigued. At 31, he was already older than most children’s presenters of the day, but she recognised something unique. Impressed with his performance as Willie Mossop, she invited him to one of the industry’s most important and famous meetings that would shape the future of children’s television.

Born in Halifax in 1934, Noakes had a thick Yorkshire accent – a rarity in the BBC’s world of polished pronunciation. His exuberant, unpredictable personality made him instantly memorable and he passed the audition, joining Blue Peter on 30th December 1965.

Having studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he had appeared on Broadway and in a couple of BBC series, but wasn’t well known. Employing him as a children’s TV presenter was a gamble for Baxter that certainly paid off.

Biddy Baxter: Blue Peter visionary

Baxter’s reputation inside the BBC was formidable. She was a perfectionist and insisted that presenters must stick to scripts and follow production discipline. Her standards were high, and she didn’t tolerate “nonsense”.

Peter Purves joined the team in 1967, creating Blue Peter’s most famous and enduring trio. While Singleton’s performance was always polished, and Purves was informative and dependable, Noakes was an action man – a wild card who did things no-one else dared attempt. He climbed the mast of HMS Ganges, rode a bobsleigh down Switzerland’s Cresta Run, travelled up the Amazon, and performed fearless stunts that made parents wince and children cheer.

John Noakes’ Nelson’s Column stunt in 1977 has become part of British TV legend. When he climbed the 169ft monument on shaky ladders, it created a stomach churning moment where children’s TV entertainment met sheer insanity! The sight of the presenter, clinging on high above London without even a safety harness, encapsulated the daring spirit that he and Baxter had created.

John Noakes and Shep: the double act

While Noakes was the daredevil, his four-legged companion Shep was the heart of the show. Introduced in 1971, the border collie had boundless energy and was full of mischief – perfectly matching Noakes’ own personality. Their bond was instant. Children loved watching Shep ignore commands, prompting Noakes’ exasperated catchphrase, “Get down, Shep!”

John Noakes and Shep  were reportedly as famous as Morecambe and Wise. Their bond was deep, and when Shep passed away in 1987, Noakes announced it in tears on the BBC, years after they had left Blue Peter.

Sparks behind the scenes

Initially, Noakes and Baxter seemed to be friends and attended charity fundraising events together, including banquets, at various London meeting rooms as guests of the City of London Livery Company. However, Noakes reportedly became frustrated at the tight editorial control Baxter imposed. She wrote scripts to the letter, refused presenters any real input, and made no secret of her expectations. For someone as free-spirited as Noakes, it could feel suffocating.

Singleton once remarked that he was the “only presenter who could stand up to Baxter and survive”. He frequently clashed with her over the way the programme was managed. During one dispute, he claimed to have had only one-and-a-half days off during nine weeks of filming. He later described Baxter as treating him like “some country yokel from Yorkshire”.

Although he remained light-hearted and cheerful on-screen, Noakes wasn’t enjoying Blue Peter any more. Sadly, after his departure from the show in 1978, his relationship with Baxter soured. The BBC allowed him to keep Shep, as they had formed a close bond, but only on condition that the dog wouldn’t be used in commercial ventures. When Noakes featured a similar looking dog in pet food adverts, Baxter reportedly felt “betrayed”.

There has always been media debate about whether the fallout was personal or professional, but the scars were clear. In 2008, Noakes refused to attend a royal reception marking Blue Peter’s 50th anniversary, and was quoted as saying he didn’t particularly want to see Baxter again. He relented only after the Queen herself requested his presence. However, Baxter always denied there was a rift, claiming not to know why Noakes felt the way he did.

A shared legacy

Despite their personal friction, the duo’s legacy is immense. Together, they helped define what children’s TV could be. Baxter’s meticulous, visionary approach provided the structure and Noakes’ wild energy gave it heart and edge.

Their impact can be seen in statistics. During the 1970s, the show routinely reached audiences of more than eight million viewers. It won multiple BAFTA awards and became essential viewing for generations of children. Its mix of education, adventure, kindness and chaos was unlike anything else on television.

In later years, nostalgia for those golden years has grown stronger. The names Biddy Baxter and John Noakes, who passed away in 2017 at 83 years old, continue to resonate, not only as part of television history, but as cultural icons who delighted generations of children.