There's been EIGHT Blue Peter badges in 60yr history - and there will be a ninth
They have been awarded to royalty, astronauts, inspirational kids and even a clay TV dummy…
And it is now 60 years since the Blue Peter Badge appeared on our screens, with 1.5 million handed out so far.
The first was given by Valerie Singleton in June 1963 to Fiona Ashford who brought her cats into the studio.
She tells the child, in a clipped BBC accent: “They’re very sweet, they’ve been purring away all afternoon. And I think you deserve a Blue Peter badge for coming along with your cats.”
In April, current presenters Mwaksy Mudenda, Abby Cook and Joel Mawhinney handed gold badges to King Charles and Camilla for their work on environmental issues and literacy.
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Valerie gives Fiona first badge in 1963Joel, 25, said the pair seemed “genuinely shocked” by the honour.
He added: “It was exciting because they said they thought they might get a Blue Peter badge but they genuinely weren’t expecting the gold one. It was really sweet as they had mentioned that Charles used to watch the show as a kid and wrote in when he was younger.”
Charles, Camilla and Mwasky (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)Another badge that stood out for Joel was a silver for two brothers who raised £9,000 for kids in Afghanistan by climbing the tallest peaks in North Yorkshire. He said: “They’re super young so it was so well deserved.”
Speaking of 86-year-old Valerie, from Bangor in Northern Ireland, and her first badge presentation, Joel said: “It is hysterical the difference in the way we talk. It’s so funny. It’s nostalgic. It is cool it’s stuck for so long.”
Marcus in 2021 (Handout)Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, astronaut Time Peake and TV naturalist Sir David Attenborough are among the many given badges.
Clay TV character Morph was handed one by host Sarah Greene in 1981.
Tim Peake, 2016 (PA)This year the show will produce a special limited edition badge to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, also launched in 1963.
* Blue Peter is on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, Fridays at 5pm.
Colourful accolades are fit for a King
The famous Blue Peter badge was launched on June 17, 1963.
Sir David got his in 2019 (PA)There are eight types: blue, silver, green, sport, purple, orange, gold and music – designed by Ed Sheeran.
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Blue can be earned by viewers who send in an interesting letter, picture, poem or story, or by going on the show.
Silver celebrates kindness and aiding others. Green is the environmental award while purple is for kids who take an active role in the show online.
A range of Blue Peter badgesOrange is given to winners or runners up in competitions, while gold is the highest award for people who have shown outstanding bravery, expertise or have represented their country.
Famous gold badge holders include King Charles, Marcus Rashford, Tim Peake, and Sir David Attenborough.
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