Best of 2016 Blue Peter

Quick - it's about to start! Come on!

-Sorry!

-Hurry up!

-I was getting the popcorn. Here you are.

-Oh, hand it out.

-I've got my drink.

Where's the remote?

Oh, there we go. I'm so excited for this.

Bring it on. I can't wait. What are we watching?

The best bits of 2016.

Three, two, one...

-Hello...

-Hi!

-..and welcome to Blue Peter.

I've eaten too much popcorn already.

-I'm stuffed.

-Radzi, stop drinking all of that.

-Stop drinking my drinks.

-They're now empty.

Well, 2016 was such a busy year for us.

So much so, we've taken all our favourite bits

and just put them together, my friends.

And your bits, too, look - Madia sent in this book.

-Stop eating popcorn, now.

-I love popcorn. It's all about Blue Peter.

There's lots about our challenges in there.

She also wants to say thank you for Reading. She must love it there(!)

It says, "thank you for reading." I'm only joking. Well done.

Silver Badge on its way to you.

Speaking of challenges, I've got to say one of my faves of 2016

-has got to be when we did our wing walking challenge.

-Yes!

Passing the baton between two planes.

-That was incredible.

-Incredible.

-Best day.

-That was pretty awesome.

I think my favourite has to be the cycle challenge, with Sir Chris Hoy.

-Yes!

-What a legend that man is!

There's also been lots of water-based challenges.

Like when I did my water-skiing challenge,

and I actually had to perform tricks

at the British Youth Water Ski Championships.

-That was hard.

-As well as that, I took part in the Cowes Regatta,

with Team Invictus, which was such an honour. It was so much fun,

but it was hard work trying to keep that boat upright.

-That's because of all the cows in the boat!

-Mh-hm?

-Mh-hm.

-Not that kind of cows' regatta.

-Stop it.

Anyway, my favourite was the tin bath race,

because I was supposed to be racing in a tin bath,

but I spent most of my time out of it and in the water.

I've got to say, I think the challenge that sticks out the most,

when it comes to water-based 2016 challenges...

-Water-skiing.

-..has got to be Wave Runner.

-Ah.

-That was just incredible.

-It was awesome.

-It was tough.

It was massive, but it was amazing.

Check this out.

I'm going to attempt to run across that, the Irish Sea.

I'll need to train harder than I've ever trained before,

working with an elite team of specialists.

Keep driving! Keep driving!

Can I conquer the sea

and find a way to walk on water?

SHE SCREAMS

Can I become The Wave Runner?

Well, she's six-and-a-half hours in, so about 13 miles done.

24,000 uphill steps.

This is where she starts to question whether she can make it or not.

So, she's done a lot, but she's got an awful long way to go.

'The conditions have changed since this morning.

'The wind and waves are much stronger,

'and I'm struggling to keep my balance.'

It's just pushing me over.

It's pushing me to the left.

Arrgh.

'This is so tough, but I've got to keep trying.'

'15 miles in, and I've reached a critical moment in my journey.

'The tide is turning and should start pushing me towards

'my destination of Portpatrick.

'But over the next hour, the wind increases

'and the waves just get higher.

'It's taking all my strength to stay upright.'

Arrgh!

'I'm so frustrated.

'I know I have to beat these conditions to stay on track.'

It is too slippy.

'After 16 miles, Greg calls me in for a crisis talk.'

Your pace has been amazing from start to this point.

But the problem is that those tides are just really quick today,

and with the combination of that and the wind,

it's just pushing you in the wrong direction.

This is tough. Really, really, really tough. OK?

Are we just not going anywhere?

We are. We're going the wrong direction,

so we're not going where we want to go. OK?

This has got nothing to do with you.

There are not many people as brave as you, let me tell you that.

'I'm running out of time, but I'm determined to get back on course.'

Ooh! Ah!

It's pushing me around.

'The extra effort is agony...'

'..and the waves are impossible.

'I manage one more mile...

'..then I hear the words I'm dreading.

'Greg tells me to stop.'

Come on, let's get you out. Let's get you out of there.

Are you sure we can't just keep trying?

The tide simply won't let you get to shore, that's the problem.

It fundamentally becomes too dangerous to be out here.

'I can't believe it's over.

'I've been at sea for nine hours but I have to accept

'that I can't make it to Scotland against the tide.

'I'm devastated.'

'I did manage to walk 17 miles across the Irish Sea,

'but it just wasn't enough.'

That was a tough day. Very emotional.

I get a bit teary looking back at that.

Now, it wouldn't be Blue Peter without some amazing competitions

and we've seen a few of those.

All of our competition winners have received a money-can't-buy prize,

including Mia from West Sussex,

who won our CBBC Wolfblood competition.

She got to appear in the actual show and boy, did she rock that outfit!

As well as that, designing the BP Sport Badge 2016

really got your creative juices flowing

because over 5,500 of you entered that competition.

-It is amazing.

-It really is amazing.

It's very much up my alley, as well, being all about sport.

And who won it but Sam from Stafford,

with his incredible eye-catching design.

What did he get to do?

First of all, his badge went to every single member

of Team GB and Para GB who went to the Rio Olympics,

plus he got to go to the Team GB kitting-out session,

and I went with him. Sam, you're a legend!

Let's not forget Max, another legend.

The Big Day Out winner.

He was awesome. He designed a poster that was seen by thousands of people

on the London Underground. And as a special treat,

he got to ride in the cabin, and he even blew the whistle.

-How cool was that?

-He loved it, didn't he?

And the exclusive access didn't stop there,

because we marked 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl

with our Dream Big competition.

And you lot applied in your thousands once again,

creating your amazing dream stories.

And the winner was, of course, Betty from Hull,

and her prize really was a dream come true.

Awesome, isn't it?

'As part of Roald Dahl 100, The BFG was released worldwide,

'and Betty got to attend the premiere in London,

'along with runners-up Isabella and Zac.

'Getting to go to the premiere was just one part of Betty's prize.

'For the second part, she got to meet the director of The BFG,

'Steven Spielberg.'

Steven, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you.

Thank you so much for being on Blue Peter today.

Thank you, Lindsey. It's nice to be here.

Now, as you know, on Blue Peter,

we launched this incredible competition called Dream Big,

and we had over 8,000 children apply for this, Blue Peter viewers.

-Amazing.

-It's incredible, isn't it?

-That's great.

-What's more incredible is we have our winner right here.

-Betty.

-Betty, it's nice to see you.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-Betty came up with an incredible dream sequence,

and we've actually got the finished animation here,

-if you would like to have....

-I would.

-..a little look at it.

-Here you go.

-OK.

Our protagonists were fired from their job at the estate agent...

because they were toucans.

HE LAUGHS

They were upset because one felt he was a people toucan,

while the other had strategic planning skills.

OPERA MUSIC PLAYS

Unemployed, they broadened their minds with opera and books.

A period of reflection on their corporate lives

showed them that their particular skills

did not make for good estate agents.

The toucans opened their own Internet cafe in Shoreditch...

..providing a careers advice service for other animals

stuck in dead-end jobs, unsuited to their skills.

HE LAUGHS

Yeah, I can see why you're sitting here. That's really marvellous.

-Thank you.

-Did you ever imagine that you might be sitting here

with Steven Spielberg, showing him your animation?

-Not in a million years.

-THEY LAUGH

-What does it feel like?

-I still need to pinch myself.

It's not... I don't even know what to say.

And what parts of the animation did you particularly enjoy, Steven?

I love with the coffee shop, that little social...

-"Toucan Play This Game."

-"Toucan Play This Game."

That is great. You have a wonderful imagination,

but you're also a really good writer.

-Thank you.

-I think we all start the same way.

-Yeah.

Everybody starts from the same area where nothing is impossible.

Where the possibilities abound, and anything you can create

for yourself, as your film illustrated, you can do that.

Before we let you go, Betty, you've got a little something

-to ask Steven, haven't you?

-Yes.

Would you mind taking a selfie with us?

-I would love that!

-This is going to be a good one.

OK.

How amazing!

-Off the charts.

-I was properly, properly nervous and star struck,

but it was amazing to meet Steven Spielberg.

He's not the only incredible guest we've had on Blue Peter in 2016.

There have been loads!

My favourite - Danny MacAskill.

Now, to put it into perspective for you,

if you played football and your favourite footballer

was David Beckham, and he taught you how to take a free kick, for me,

Danny MacAskill was that hero.

He taught me how to wheelie, how to bunny hop.

-It was awesome.

-You couldn't speak after that day.

-I couldn't.

-You loved it.

-I literally... It was so exciting.

Let's talk about let's talk about Jez from the F2 Freestylers,

who came on to Blue Peter without his partner, Billy,

and absolutely crushed it.

He put a ball into a wheelie bin with his head.

-That's enough for me.

-OK, Radz, calm down. You loved it.

As well as that, we've had so many Hollywood stars on the show,

like Justin Timberlake,

Anna Kendrick, Kevin Hart and even Jack Black. It's been good.

But the one that you guys got the most excited about is, of course,

superstar from the internet, DanTDM.

He was here in the BP studio.

Camera two, we all know that DanTDM is cool,

but how cool did he become when he invented a very exclusive Blue Peter

game for us to play? I wasn't very good at it, though.

-A huge welcome to Blue Peter.

-Thank you.

-And can we also say

a massive congratulations. Is it true you've now had over

-eight billion views online?

-It's very true.

-Yes.

-Just insane.

-That's ridiculous! You are a bit of a megastar, then.

A little bit, yeah. I do a lot of talking for my job, which is great.

I do that over the top of games like Minecraft and Roblox,

while creating my own characters, popping them into their own worlds

and having crazy, crazy stories happen.

-And you do this from your house as well?

-Yes.

It is the best job in the world.

I've got to eat that bit. Talk to us about the tour as well.

Yes, so, the tour. I'm taking what I built online

and taking it into the real world in the form of my tour,

-which is great. We're going to 13, no, 16 places.

-Lost count.

-32 shows.

-Going everywhere.

-It's a lot of stuff to do.

It's a lot of stuff. And we have some new characters,

a brand-new plot line and some really awesome custom games as well.

Speaking of games, we've got a little BP special version...

-We do.

-..of one of the games here.

Talk us through it. What's it called, Dan?

-So, this is called The Run Of Doom.

-It sounds terrifying.

It is terrifying. Well, not too terrifying. It's doable.

So, what is going to happen is our players are going to be on

the right-hand side of the screen and they need to get to

the left-hand side while dodging objects

flying at their head and their feet.

And we just need one person to get to the end to win it for everyone.

-Out of the four players we're going to play with.

-Yes.

-We've got three super-fans here.

-Yay!

-Sam, Lily and Daniel.

-Welcome, guys!

-Come on in, guys. Take your positions.

Daniel looks very confident.

-Yes.

-Look at that smile.

-Talk us through how they're going to

use these mats and make the game work.

You're going to use these little mats to run.

And you do that with your left and right, like this.

-So, if you stomp on them really quickly...

-There we go.

-There we go.

-Perfect.

-Warming up. Do that to run from right to left.

-So, you run by literally running on those two?

-Literally running, yes.

-OK, fine.

-And then if you need to jump over an obstacle,

you tap your top button with your foot, like that.

If you need to duck under anything, then you do your back button.

-Bring it on.

-Very good. And always go back to running,

or you'll get locked on the wrong side of the screen.

OK, guys. Limber up, get ready.

-Dan, would you like to vlog throughout and commentate?

-OK. Yes.

It's what you do best. OK. Let's start the...

-Oh, game's starting. Three, two, one.

-Three, two, one and go!

-Go!

-Run! Run as fast as you can.

-You're doing well. Wow, they're all...

-Who's flying? Jump!

-Oh, my goodness.

-Daniel, you're doing amazing.

-Oh!

-Jumping over the badges.

Duck, duck, duck.

Mind that little...

-Very good, very good.

-Oh, that was so close!

-Daniel, come on!

-Sam is doing amazing.

-Sam, the bottom!

-Sam, Sam!

-Oh, you nearly got that! Well played!

-Good job, look at that.

-That was very close.

-Good job. Look at that.

-Sam. He's done it.

-High five.

-He's done it.

Well done. Good job, guys.

Now, something else I love is when we have live music and bands

here in the Blue Peter studio.

We've had the mighty Lawson...

# Imagine if money just grew on trees

# I would spend the whole day planting seeds

# I wish that I could give you everything

# Treat you to the world's most beautiful things... #

..and of course, Imani.

# Baby

# Wrapped up in your arms feels like I made it

# When I close my eyes the world is faded

# I used to say that love was just a fool's game... #

..and as well as that, my fave, Olly Murs.

# I know you've got to grow up

# Ain't you sick of being immature

# Talking loud cos you're insecure

# You always turn it up Turn it up turn it up

# Come on... #

Boys, what have been your favourite?

We can't forget about the uber talented, the lovely, Izzy Bizu.

And how good was she on the show, by the way?

# White tiger

# I ride rollercoaster

# If I am still caught on these safety bars

# I probably made it... #

And what about the Kaiser Chiefs?

It was a performance like no other when they came in last time.

That's because I was dancing in the background,

and I was dressed like Shelley.

# Whip up the crowd

# Get them going nice and loud

# But you're the only one I see

# You're the only one It's you and me

# Strike up the band

# Give yourself a great big hand and

# All together now. #

Name of the album...

# Stay together Hold on to my hand

# And everybody gave up

# Until we start from the top again

# Take it all from the top The top

# The top The top

# There's a hole in my soul

# That could only be filled by you again

# There's a hole in my soul

# That could only be fixed by two

# It can never be filled

# Never be filled

# Never be filled By anyone else but you

# It can never be filled

# Never be filled

# Never be filled By anyone else but you. #

I will never get bored of watching that.

But as well as music, we also know that you love animals,

and we've met a fair few.

That's right. I loved getting up close and personal and having a hold

of Melon, the three-banded armadillo.

She actually became a bit of star. We had so much post in for Melon.

-She was amazing.

-Genuinely enjoyed my experience with the beetles,

and just so you know, I was not scared when it grabbed my hand

-and wouldn't let go.

-But of course,

our favourite animals here on Blue Peter are Shelley and Iggy.

And 2016 was a busy year for them, too.

Let's start with Shelley, who quite literally went to space.

That picture is off the charts,

and she even interviewed some Hollywood A-listers!

Check this out.

It's an honour to meet you, Shelley.

Oh, you're giving me the silent treatment, I see?

OK. Well, you know what, Shelley?

Two can play this game.

Look, I want to be friends. I don't want you upset with me.

You can ask me anything.

Shelley, please do not leave.

Wow.

Shelley, have I ever told you about my coin collection?

Probably the most

rude interview I've ever had.

Showing me your back.

Just give me a sign, a nod.

Anything at all.

Oh...

A Blue Peter badge?

Oh, I can't believe it! Shelley, thank you so much!

Thank you! And it matches my outfit.

And of course, Iggy graduated from her guide dog school training.

We were so proud of her, as she went off to meet her brand-new owner,

Callum.

Back in April, we were so pleased when Iggy became a fully-fledged

guide dog and went to live with her new owner, Callum.

So, Iggy's been with Callum for six months now,

and I'm so excited to see both of them and see how they're getting on.

Here we go.

-Hello!

-Hiya.

-I can see Iggy!

-Hey, how's it going?

-Hi, guys. How are you? Hello, Iggy.

-Hey. Give me a hug, Cal. How are you doing?

-Hiya. How's it going?

-Good to see you. Good to see you, Iggy!

-Yeah, and you.

You get a cuddle, too.

-How have you guys been?

-Really good, yeah. Really well.

It's so nice to see you both.

-Shall we take her out for a little stroll?

-Yeah, sure.

-Let's go for it.

-OK, let's do it.

When we last met Callum, he and Iggy could walk two routes.

To his nan's house, and to college.

This was a big deal at the time,

but already I can see that things have moved on.

Good girl. It's all right. Good girl.

You guys make a really good team.

Oh, I definitely wouldn't be walking around as fast and as confident as

-this without her.

-I was going to say, I'm struggling

to keep up a bit here, Cal.

'Callum now has so much more confidence.

'And with Iggy's help, he can go to loads more places.

'Today, we're meeting up with his brother Daniel and friend Elle

'for a little bite to eat.'

Small fish butty, please.

What's it like for you guys to see Callum and Iggy's relationship?

First thing I saw of him was walking from our house

all the way round my nan's on his own, which is only a short walk,

but it made a big difference that he could do it on his own.

He was walking quick, confident.

And Cal, I know that you've been kind of working on routes with Iggy,

-kind of trying to help her with new routes.

-Yeah.

So how does the process work with Iggy?

-Is she quite quick to pick it up?

-Yeah, she's not bad.

I mean, the main process really is, I get the hang of the route,

and then when I've got it, I teach Iggy along with the instructors.

Because, obviously, she doesn't just know where to go.

I need to direct her where to go.

And what about you, Elle?

You must have noticed a real difference now that

-Callum's got Iggy in his life?

-Yeah, he's more independent.

Like, he can out and do whatever he wants,

and get there with Iggy's help.

It's clear from just one trip out with his mates

that Callum can achieve whatever he wants to

now that he has Iggy by his side.

I could not be prouder of what Iggy's achieved,

but also what you've achieved.

You guys are amazing together,

and it's so nice for me and all the Blue Peter audience to watch you.

Well, it's been amazing, you know, not just to be part of Blue Peter,

but I really can't thank all the guide dogs team enough.

The puppy walkers, her trainers.

I just really can't thank all the people enough. It means so much.

I think back to before. I don't know, I just think, what did I do?

I can't think how I got out and about, and I can't think what I did,

-either. It's a friend as well.

-Mmm.

-You know, it's a best friend.

And let's not forget the Blue Peter website.

The fan club is getting bigger and better all the time.

It's got exclusive content on there,

such as fun and games with Dory star Ellen DeGeneres...

This is a horrible game. This is tough. Who came up with this?

-Forget it.

-Is this all you have?

-Shall we start again?

-No(!)

Oh...

..as well as lots of quizzes and makes, my favourite bit.

But the online exclusives keep on coming,

just like interview with Hollywood leg-e-n-d Liam Neeson,

who'll be talking about his brand-new film, A Monster Calls.

-I'm afraid.

-Of course you are afraid...

..but you will make it through.

For this is why you called me.

Come on.

And my favourite thing we do is Fan Of The Month,

and it all started with Blue Violet Mini Baker.

And it is, reveal it, Radz...

-Yes!

-Blue Violet Mini Baker!

Well done! Well done you.

Then there was Teal Water Elephant...

This month's fan of the month is...

..Teal Water Elephant.

Congratulations.

..and Mustard Dotty Cabbage..

-Mustard Dotty Cabbage!

-Whoa!

..and then Purple Piano Toucan...

On their very own flag...

Purple Piano Toucan.

..and Lavender Scaly Unicorn...

-I'll bring in the winner...

-Mh-hm.

..using the power of telekinetics.

-Using my mind like Matilda.

-Oh, really? OK.

Oh. Oh!

-Look, it's Lavender Scaly Unicorn!

-Yes! I knew it would work!

..Peridot Dancing Meerkat...

Fan of the month is...

Go on, guys!

-ALL:

-Peridot Dancing Meerkat!

Yay!

..Awesome Arnav.

The fan of the month -

drumroll whilst I say - November is...

Oh, Awesome Arnav!

And last but not least, Super Silly Sloth.

My favourite name. We hope that more and more of you will sign in.

If you don't, you're missing out, and here's why.

If you want to be part of the Blue Peter fan club...

make sure you sign up for a CBBC account

-ALL:

-# For free! #

Nice. We nailed that! So, if you've already got an account,

we need a little bit more information from you.

Next time you sign in, make sure you look out for a little message.

Why should you get an account?

Well, having one lets you comment...

Vote...

Love pages...

And follow your favourite shows.

Ahem. Blue Peter.

Plus, you can now change your display name.

I'm going to be Lindsey.

-No, Radzi, that's my name.

-I know.

All the info you need is on the Blue Peter website.

In fact, I'm going to head that right now.

Hi, Linds. Need to get my CBBC account sorted.

Bye!

So, there you go. Now you know exactly how to do it.

And I'd say now is the perfect time.

Christmas is over, you're on your holidays,

get your sign-in sorted.

Now, on Blue Peter it's all about the badge,

and you know that. That's why in 2016,

we received over 100,000 pieces of post. That's incredible.

-That's amazing, isn't it?

-Thank you very much.

-Incredible.

Speaking of post, I'm having a little snuggle here

with this handmade crocheted blanket.

Look at this. It's been sent in by Alana and Matthew.

-That's amazing.

-Have a look at that. They're from Lincolnshire.

Guys, you've earned yourselves a Blue Peter badge.

I'm going to keep snuggling in it.

-It's lovely.

-So much effort's gone into that.

-Isn't it good?

There are loads of badges you can earn,

and I'll show you just how many as I open the magic treasure chest.

You can see the orange one, the green one, the purple one,

the sports one, the silver one and the blue one.

All summer we've been challenging you to earn as many

Blue Peter badges as possible.

And not only that, but to put them in this snazzy make.

We're calling it the Blue Peter Badge Baton.

-Look at it. I love it.

-Now, there is another badge,

and it's extra special, and it's this bad boy right here.

-Oh!

-Now, in 2016,

only a handful of the gold Blue Peter badges were awarded

for outstanding achievements. And here's just a few of them.

-No.

-None of us have a gold badge.

-No.

-Because that, of course,

as we all know, is for outstanding achievement.

It's for doing something very, very special indeed.

And actually, Toby, we think that you've done something incredibly

special. Because you kind of mentioned it before.

You're connecting the world with your letters

and really inspiring people, like the Blue Peter viewers,

to do exactly the same thing.

And so for that reason, Toby, if you look in my hand here,

we've got something very special.

The highest possible accolade we can give you in Blue Peter.

The gold badge.

-My goodness!

-Can we please have a massive round of applause for Toby.

Oh!

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

-That's for you, my friend.

-Thank you.

-Toby, is that a bit of a surprise there?

-Yes.

-You didn't know we were going to do that, did you?

-No.

How does it feel to be holding a gold badge?

Really amazing. Oh!

Well, Toby, well done.

Honestly, you've inspired Radzi and I, and I'm sure

you've inspired everyone watching. You're incredible.

Toby, everybody.

He's done such an amazing thing for so many imaginations.

We would like you, on his behalf,

to accept his gold Blue Peter badge.

SHE GASPS

Oh, my gosh!

This is extraordinary!

That is amazing.

How many of these have been made?

Not many at all.

-Very few.

-Like, very, very few.

-The Queen has one.

-Very, very, very few.

-Now Roald Dahl.

-Oh, my gosh.

In honour of your incredible achievement,

and all that you've done, and your contribution to science,

we'd like to award you with our highest accolade here on Blue Peter.

-Goodness me.

-It is your very own gold Blue Peter badge.

Wow, what an honour. That is fantastic!

-How amazing is that, everybody? There you go, Tim.

-Wonderful.

Thank you so much, Lindsey.

That is brilliant! Absolutely brilliant.

I shall treasure that forever. That's wonderful, thank you so much.

A bit of a surprise here.

People that watch Blue Peter absolutely love to be inspired,

-to be challenged and to be entertained.

-Right.

And over the last few years, and over your entire career,

you have done just that with your absolutely incredible films.

You really have. So in honour of your talent,

your passion and your pioneering work,

we'd like to take this moment to award you with our highest accolade.

It is the Blue Peter gold badge.

Oh, I know all about this! That is indeed an honour.

That is fantastic.

Didn't someone else very high up in this country...

Well, the Queen has one!

-..have one? That's what I'm referring to.

-Yes, yes.

-Wow.

-So, that is for you.

-That is so great.

Well, I'm going to wear it with pride.

And I've been aware of Blue Peter ever since

I started making movies here in 1980.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-That's amazing to hear.

-I made Raiders of the Lost Ark here

-in the UK in 1980.

-Mh-hm.

-So...

Is this your first Blue Peter badge, the gold one?

This is my first Blue Peter badge.

-Wow.

-And I've always secretly, privately wanted one.

-Now you have it.

-But now I have one.

-So, thank you!

-Steven, thank you so much.

-Thanks. Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

I have just decided, 2016 was off the charts.

We all hope you had as much fun being a part of this amazing club -

that's Blue Peter, by the way, as we have,

and this show really wouldn't be possible without you.

Without your comments, without your letters, your drawings,

without your models. It really is your show.

Thank you so much, and we'll see you next time.

-Bye.

-Bye!

-Bye-bye!