Blue Peter's top five live moments from its 67 year history as show undergoes shake up

Blue Peter reached the end of an era this week when it was announced that after over six decades it will no longer be transmitted live. In a radical shake up the longest-running kids show in the world will now be fully pre-recorded. This will means BBC viewers are unlikely to get some of the classic moments that are only possible on a live broadcast - especially one frequently featuring both children and animals. Express.co.uk has selected five of their favourite live moments from throughout the dedaces.

5. Arts and crafts gets epic for the biggest make in the show’s history - 7 January 1993

Blue Peter’s make and do segments are a legendary part of the programme and usually required little more than some paper, an empty washing up liquid bottle and some “sticky back plastic”. However, they really upped the ante in January 1993 when the tackled the most in demand toy from the Christmas season - Thunderbirds' Tracy Island. It fell to Anthea Turner to demonstrate how to create the impressive replica which took so long to make it used up nearly half of the shows 25-minute running time coming in at 11 minutes 42 seconds. It was so epic they had to produce a factsheet with the instructions, and it remains the most popular make in the show’s history. If you are inclined to attempt to make it the factsheet is still available on the BBC website.

4. Goldie the dog in a hit and run with Star Wars robot R2D2 - 22 May 1980

The cast of Star Wars were welcomed to the studio in May 1980 to mark the release of The Empire Strikes back. The show’s resident canine Goldie seemed very non plussed by the guest announcement from hosts Christopher Wenner and Simon Groom as she sprawled on the studio floor dozing. However, she soon had a rude awakening as the iconic robot R2D2 entered the studio and crashed right into her. Sleeping dogs definitely weren’t let lie as she sprang to her feet startled while Simon told the droid: “You weren’t supposed to hit the dog!”

R2 was joined by fellow android C3P0 and Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill on the show but thankfully none of the others interfered with Goldie who took refuge at Carrie Fishers feet to continue her nap.

3. John Noakes takes his life in his hands to clean pigeon poo off a statue - 30 May 1977

John Noakes was the original Blue Peter action man, and his daredevil stunts became the stuff of legend. One particularly dangerous moment saw him cleaning the pigeon waste off the iconic Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square. Rather than using a cherry picker style crane he scaled the 190ft landmark on wobbly ladders which had been attached to it. Not only that – he did it all without a safety harness or even a helmet, not that a helmet would prove very useful falling from that height. He didn’t even wear a high vis, donning a pair of flares, a khaki jacket and street shoes.

It was definitely not one for the faint hearted as he worked his way up the lengthy climb taking rest breaks along the way. “You have to take a rest every so often when climbing a ladder this tall. Otherwise, your muscles weaken, and you could fall,” he explained. Needless to say: “Don’t try this at home”.

2. A campfire rages out of control as girl guides sing - Originally broadcast 22 February 1971

When a singalong around a campfire with Girl Guides was suggested, it probably sounded like a very sweet idea. Sadly, no one seemed to consider that the studio is indoors and not the best place to be starting fires. As the 100 gathered guides stood singing If You’re Happy And You Know It the fire got ever bigger.

As thick smoke wafted through the studio the girls bravely sang on although some did look visibly concerned. When the song ended fire officers ran in the extinguish the blaze as John Noakes, Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton joked about the potential disaster in an attempt to maintain the lighthearted feel of the segment.

1. Lulu the Elephant leaves her mark in the Blue Peter studio - 3rd July 1969

Possibly the most famous clip in the history of the show baby elephant Lulu made a huge impression when she answered a call of nature live on air. Presenters John Noakes and Peter Purves struggled to guide her into the studio with her handler Alec and it became apparent she had a very strong mind of her own.

As Peter tried to stick to the script giving the viewers facts about elephants Lulu kept wandering off leading to an ongoing struggle to keep her in shot. As Valerie singleton remarked on how much milk she drank in a day after putting a bucket of the fluid in front of her, Lulu decided to have a bathroom break. As she urinated on the studio floor Peter Purves quipped “you’re supposed to be drinking it Lulu” while Valerie Singleton stepped out of the path of the puddle. However, the hilarity didn’t end there as her handler slipped on her mess just a few minutes later as he tried to take her off screen. It went down in television history and showed exactly why they say “never work with animals”.