Producer, Writer Biddy Baxter to Receive BAFTA Special Award

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that Biddy Baxter , television producer and writer, will be presented with the Special Award at this year's British Academy Children's Awards on Sunday 24 November at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

The Special Award recognises an individual's outstanding contribution to children's media and the entertainment industry. This year, the Award will be presented by Biddy's long-term friend, Sir David Attenborough.

Harvey Elliott, Chairman of BAFTA's Children's Committee, said: "Biddy's impact on children's media and entertainment is undeniable. She is a veritable national institution and we are delighted to honour her contribution at the Children's Awards ceremony on 24 November."

Biddy first joined the BBC in 1955 as a radio studio manager, later becoming the producer of Listen with Mother and School Radio's Junior English programmes and then of BBC Television Children's Programmes. She then worked as Editor of Blue Peter from 1962 to 1988 during which time the programme won 22 awards and Biddy herself received 12 BAFTA nominations, winning two. Together with Edward Barnes and Rosemary Gill, Biddy devised the Blue Peter Badge and instigated the annual Blue Peter Appeals, which have raised millions of pounds for charities at home and abroad. She left Blue Peter on 27 June 1988 and viewers saw her awarded the programme's highest honour: a gold Blue Peter badge. She was also appointed an MBE in 1981. In 2003, in memory of her late husband, Biddy founded the John Hosier Music Trust with Sir Simon Rattle as Patron to provide scholarships to enable outstandingly talented but impoverished music students to undertake their all-important postgraduate studies; so far, 11 scholarships have been awarded and two special awards. Her book, Dear Blue Peter... which was published in 2008 with 50 years of letters and emails from viewers, raised £20,000 for the Trust.

Biddy Baxter said: "I've been incredibly lucky to have had such a long and rewarding broadcasting career, and to have worked with such talented and creative colleagues and so many outstanding presenters! Thank you BAFTA so very much for this unexpected and greatly prized Award."

The British Academy Children's Awards will be hosted by Jake Humphrey at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 24 November.

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