Legendary television producer Biddy Baxter, who is best known for her work on Blue Peter, has died at the age of 92.
Baxter’s death was announced by Ten Acre Films on Facebook, with a post that paid tribute to Baxter as a ‘true pioneer’.
‘We are sad to report that longtime Blue Peter Editor Biddy Baxter has died at the age of 92. We salute a true pioneer, who navigated changing times in the television industry with instinct, tenacity and style.’
No cause of death was announced.
Baxter produced the long-running BBC TV children’s magazine show for decades between 1965 and 1988, creating the original format that is still in place today.
Her final programme in the role of editor aired on June 27, 1988, and she was awarded a gold Blue Peter badge for her service.
In the 1981 New Year Honours, Baxter was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire, in recognition of her work as editor of Blue Peter. She received her MBE from The Queen at Buckingham Palace in February 1981.
Baxter had varied relationships with her coworkers and famously didn’t get along with all of the Blue Peter presenters.
‘She was a very, very difficult woman,’ said John Noakes in a 2008 interview with The Telegraph.
Peter Purves added in the same interview: ‘But the programme succeeded – and I’ve said this many times – because of her, not in spite of her. She absolutely ruled it; I didn’t always agree with her views, but she was right.’
It was claimed that she once left Blue Peter host Yvette Fielding ‘a shaking, jibbering wreck’ after being ‘berated’ by Baxter.
Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan spoke on BBC Breakfast on August 11 about his time with the presenter: ‘If you didn’t come up to what her standards were, at the end of the programme, if you messed up, you’d hear heels clicking from the studio and you’d get a right old telling off.
He added: ‘She was truly a one off within the BBC, if something upset her, she would trail off and see the DG and tell him what she thought. We need people like that more than ever.’
Her close friends and former coworkers have been paying tribute to the star.
Adrian Mills said on X: ‘Very sorry to hear that my former colleague Biddy Baxter, the formidable legend of BBC Children’s TV, has died. I last saw her a few years ago when we bumped into each other near Broadcasting House. She was on good form. RIP Biddy.’
Broadcaster Matthew Sweet said: ‘My Biddy Baxter memory: enlisting her Boudica-like power to argue our way into a crematorium where a mutual friend was to be sent off with no-one in attendance. I took the service and pressed the button. Afterwards the entire congregation went back to her place in one taxi. RIP.’
Documentary maker Chris Chapman said: ‘Sad to hear of the death of the iconic & influential Biddy Baxter. I got to work with her on our ‘Who Peter’ film back in 2009 and she was entirely fascinating. In her career, she pushed hard, suffered no fools, but created an incredible legacy with her vision of Blue Peter. RIP’
Richard Marson who wrote the book Biddy Baxter: The Woman Who Made Blue Peter said on X: ‘I’ve just heard that #BiddyBaxter – TV icon, career inspiration and dear friend has died.
‘She informed and entertained generations of Blue Peter viewers including me. It was a privilege to write the biography of this extraordinary and exceptional woman.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.