Biddy Baxter: The Woman Who Made Blue Peter

‘Bold, brave, full of surprises – like Biddy herself. Pulls no punches; scrupulously truthful.’ Sarah Greene

'This is the most wonderful book. A masterpiece — I loved every word.’ Russell T Davies

Biddy Baxter is a television legend, more famous than many of the stars of Blue Peter, the programme she ran for over a quarter of a century. Her extraordinary drive and obsessional dedication transformed the show into the world’s longest-running and most successful children’s programme with its rich mix of action, adventure, appeals, animals, exploration, studio spectaculars and things to cook and make.

At a time when very few women reached the top, Biddy – powerful, stylish and uncompromising – used her power and skill to shape the hearts and minds of generations of British children. Loved by some, loathed by others – what was Biddy really like, and what did it take for her to achieve such success?

Richard Marson tells Biddy’s story against the evolving backdrop of Blue Peter, drawing on over 100 exclusive interviews, Biddy’s private archive, and his own inside knowledge of the programme. The book also contains dozens of previously unpublished photographs

Richard Marson is the author of Drama and Delight: The Life of Verity Lambert and Totally Tasteless: The Life of John Nathan-Turner. He worked on Blue Peter for almost a decade, as producer and later its editor.

Softcover: 156mm x 244 format; 336 pages in black and white, plus 32-page photo insert in black and white and colour.