Blue Peter will mark its 60th anniversary with Blue Peter’s Big Birthday. The celebrations started last October with a Strictly Come Dancing Special for Children in Need, a Royal visit and the introduction of guest editors to the show.

Encompassing the last 60 years of Blue Peter history, the live show will include a live ‘make’ tutorial in the studio and the burial of a new Diamond Time Capsule. The episode will also see presenter Lindsey Russell flying in a hot air balloon over a frozen lake in the Arctic Circle and Radzi Chinyanganya boarding the HMS Queen Elizabeth, where he will be hoisted in a helicopter over the aircraft carrier.

Among those celebrating will be previous Blue Peter presenters, including Konnie Huq, Peter Purves, Valerie Singleton, Tim Vincent and Anthea Turner. They will be joined by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran who will be awarded with a Gold Blue Peter badge. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will also accompany music from The Vamps, DJ Jonas Blue featuring HRVY and singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

 “Blue Peter is a very special club to be part of and the Big Birthday show will be a moment to remember and one to watch for all generations of Blue Peter fans,” said Blue Peter editor Ewan Vinnicombe. “We are celebrating in style so if you’ve got a Blue Peter badge wear it with pride on our big day.”

Blue Peter’s Big Birthday will air on Tuesday 16th October at 5pm on CBBC.