BIDDY BAXTER The brains behind Blue Peter

BLUE Peter boss Biddy Baxter had a reputation for being fabulous as well as formidable.

- BY NICOLA METHVEN

Following her death on Sunday aged 92, former presenter Peter Purves paid tribute to her - and said that he doubted the show would still be going now if it had not been for her early leadership.

Peter said of Biddy, who edited the programme for more than two decades: “Oh, she was an absolute powerhouse.”

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he added: “She controlled the show wonderfully. She knew exactly what she wanted the programme to be and it was a success absolutely because of her. She was a remarkable woman... she was very fixed in her views, always consistent.”

But Peter, 86, also confessed that Biddy's nature meant there had sometimes been friction between them during his 11-year stint.

“She controlled everything about the programme with quite a rigid hand. We didn't always get on because of that,” he admitted.

The actor-turned-presenter also recalled how Biddy - who was awarded an MBE in 1981 - had been offered the chance to be the BBC's head of children’s programmes in the 70s, but turned down the promotion to continue on her beloved Blue Peter.

Fellow former presenter Peter Duncan remembered Biddy as a force of nature.