BBC accused of plot to axe 'Blue Peter'

Former Blue Peter chief Biddy Baxter has accused the BBC of attempting to sabotage the show.

Baxter, who was the programme's editor from 1965 to 1988, suggested that BBC executives are axing some of the most popular segments as part of a plot to bring down viewing figures.

"What I gather is [the programme-makers] don't want to bother with the garden or makes or cooking," Baxter explained. "They don't want to do animals. It is wrong to discard areas of enormous interest to pre-pubescent children.

"It almost seems they are letting it go pear-shaped on purpose, so they can say it doesn't work. It seems they want it to go out with a whimper, not a bang."

The 74-year-old also expressed concerns about the high turnover of presenters. Zöe Salmon and Gethin Jones both departed at the end of the last series, meaning that the show's lineup will have been completely transformed within the space of two years when it returns with replacements later this month.

A spokeswoman for the BBC insisted: "It's simply not fair to suggest the BBC does not care passionately about Blue Peter. For the past 50 years, the show has been the cornerstone of children's programming in this country... the future for Blue Peter in our eyes is strong and healthy."