Blue Peter baby's shame after BBC show 'adoption' and burglary horror

A baby who featured regularly on Blue Peter went on to dabble with crime and drugs in his later years. The children's television programme has been on screen since 1958 and is the longest-running children's TV show in the UK. 10 years after its debut, the show decided to introduce a baby called Daniel to demonstrate infant development and show children what it was like to have a little brother or sister.

Daniel, who was 14 weeks old, was "adopted" by presenters John Noakes and Valerie Singleton and became known as The Blue Peter baby. Little Daniel's growth and development was documented on the programme up until the summer of 1970, after his second birthday. He made a brief return to Blue Peter in 1993 to mark the show's 35th anniversary, however, Daniel revealed his life had taken a turn.

Opening up about his troubled youth following his parents' divorce, Daniel admitted to becoming involved with drugs and petty crime.

He managed to pull himself out of that life, but admitted: "I was a look-out man in a burglary and I was caught. I got a minor fine and two years' probation."

But this isn't the only time controversy has shrouded the programme. Richard Bacon was the face of Blue Peter from 1997 until he was fired in 1998. Aged 22 at the time, the presenter was axed from the series after his drug use was revealed by News of the World on a front page spread.

With his contract terminated midway through the series, the Head of BBC Children’s programmes, Lorraine Heggessey, was forced to address his exit on air and explain why he had been axed from the programme.

She said: "Richard has not only let himself and the team of Blue Peter down, but he’s also let all of you down badly. So, we have decided that Richard cannot present on Blue Peter and he agrees that that is the right decision."

Bacon, now 49, had no choice but to return his Blue Peter badge upon his dismissal. He has been open about the scandal in the past, previously telling the i: "I was publicly shamed after Blue Peter. If this happened now, I think I’d still have lost my job, but the response would have been even louder.

"Back then it was down to the good graces of the newspapers to decide if you’re going to be publicly shamed. These days, it’s down to the actual public to decide who gets publicly shamed."

He added: "That sounds like a positive, democratic move, but I’m not sure it is because what it involves is rushed judgement and Twitter pile-ons. It can be unforgiving."