Blue Peter: 50 years in pictures

This is Christopher Trace. Alongside Leila Williams, he was the inaugural presenter of a show initially scheduled to run for just seven weeks. It was called Blue Peter. As you can see, Trace's intense physical charisma was itself enough to extend the run for 49 years Photograph: Allstar

This is Leila Williams, Trace's fellow presenter. The institutionalised sexism of the age meant that Williams was only allowed to be paid in toys. Here she is with a month's wages Photograph: Allstar

Ten years later in 1968, things are getting groovy. From left to right are presenters John Noakes, Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves. Many people consider this to be the quintessential Blue Peter lineup. They do so because they are old Photograph: Press Association

In a bold move, producers consider appointing an elephant to the presenting team. Sadly for Lulu, though, she fluffs her audition - her nerves causing a crop of steaming ordure to appear on the studio floor Photograph: BBC

1970, and the psychedelic values of the hippie era have inspired Valerie Singleton to present the show alongside a litter of dingo puppies. A ratings slump ensues Photograph: Ted West/Central Press/Getty

Phew! Ratings restored! It's the mid-70s and Singleton has been replaced by Lesley Judd. She's the one without the codpiece Photograph: Allstar

The Blue Peter garden. A mainstay of the programme and a magnet for vandals. Here, Percy Thrower shows Noakes all that's left of a once-mighty oak Photograph: BBC

Blue Peter is famous for its charitable appeals. So altruistic are they that they even sacrifice their budget for a half-decent totaliser Photograph: BBC

1976 and yet more lineup changes. This time, while the giant hippo is new, Lesley Judd remains, though a curse from Biddy Baxter has transformed John Noakes into a black cat Photograph: BBC

Noakes in customary actionman pose, about to jump off Ben Nevis headfirst or something Photograph: BBC

Noakes in customary softie pose, cuddling close friend and accomplice Shep Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty

1980 and Peter Duncan has assumed Noakes's mantle. There he is, actually sitting on it Photograph: BBC

Peter Duncan and Sarah Greene enjoy themselves with a home-made game. Greene's look is now once again in fashion, though smiling is very much verboten Photograph: Allstar

1982 and relics are being dredged from the sea. So who better to interview about the Mary Rose than Prince Charles? (The new face on the left is Simon Groom...) Photograph: BBC

More Sarah Greene, this time with Morph. Interesting fact: Morph's father, Tony Hart, was a regular guest on the original, seven-week trial of Blue Peter. Another interesting fact: Greene's look is now back in fashion Photograph: BBC

1985 and the telephone has just been invented. Groom, Greene and Duncan try it out despite fears that demons might enter their ears. Yes, Greene's look is back in fashion Photograph: BBC

Janet Ellis joins the show in 1983. In a soon-dropped segment of the show, Ellis is encouraged to stage a one-woman re-enactment of the Nativity. Here, she contemplates what to do with all that myrrh Photograph: BBC

Groom, Ellis and Duncan in the garden. By this point, presenters are forced to maintain a 24-hour vigil against vandalism Photograph: BBC

1988 and more transmogrification as Caron Keating and Yvette Fielding support Sarah Greene in her most daring look yet Photograph: BBC

Fielding attempts a postmodern reinterpretation of the Singleton dingo-brood exercise Photograph: BBC

To the modern era! Konnie Huq, Matt Baker, Liz Barker and Simon Thomas celebrate the 4,000th episode of Blue Peter with that bloke who used to make movies and now grows a tufty beard every 12 months Photograph: BBC

And did we mention Konnie Huq? Photograph: BBC

To finish, here is a picture of some Blue Peter pets that we prepared earlier. (Socks is on the left, Cookie on the right) Photograph: Press Association