Somehow it’s been 23 years since Richard Bacon was sacked from Blue Peter – and he’s celebrating

Feel old yet? (Picture: Rex)

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Richard Bacon’s Blue Peter sacking – and he’s cheekily given a nod to the milestone.

The 45-year-old television presenter was sensationally forced to hand in his Blue Peter badge in 1998 just 18 months into the job after admitting taking cocaine, becoming the first host on the children’s show to have his contract terminated mid-season.

On this day 23 years ago today the Head of BBC Children’s programmes Lorraine Heggessey went on air to explain why Richard had been axed from the programme following his ‘late night binge’.

In an archive clip shared on social media, 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.’

Acknowledging the anniversary, Richard reposted the video writing: ‘Happy birthday’.

Many fans took the opportunity to reminisce about the cultural moment, with journalist Owen Jones recalling: ‘We all gathered around the TV to watch this! In a way, the Moon Landings moment of our generation.’

‘Somehow, this cemented itself in my six-year-old brain as an absolutely solid moment in time,’ another penned. ‘I remember my child self thinking, on New Year’s Eve 1998, “what happened this year” and the only thing I could think of was “Richard Bacon got kicked off Blue Peter”.’

Richard’s Blue Peter contract was terminated mid-season (Picture: Rex)

Earlier this year, Richard noted that his sacking would have been ‘more frightening’ if it had been in the age of social media.

‘I want to make a show where we pick a handful of people who were cancelled and debate whether it was right or wrong,’ he said.

‘Cancel culture is about rushing to judgment. I’d love us all to slow down, go, “Stop, let’s think about this. Does this person really deserve never to have a career?”’

More: Blue Peter

He continued to The Sun: ‘My experience on Blue Peter would have been very different if social media had been around. The intensity of the storm is even more fierce and more frightening now.

‘If you’re caught up in a massive scandal there are probably tens of thousands of tweets about you.’

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