7:29:18 > 7:29:19It's the Blue Peter Christmas special,
7:29:19 > 7:29:22so we are going to be turning up the Christmas spirit to the max.
7:29:22 > 7:29:23Get ready, people!
7:29:23 > 7:29:26- We've got a 250-strong choir. - More Christmas!- OK.
7:29:26 > 7:29:29Boogie Storm are going to be dancing to some festive classics.
7:29:29 > 7:29:31- More Christmas! - We've got Tom Fletcher here.
7:29:31 > 7:29:32- More Christmas!- OK.
7:29:32 > 7:29:36And we've lit the final candle on our advent crown. How's that?
7:29:36 > 7:29:37- Too much Christmas!- Ahh!
7:29:37 > 7:29:39CRASH
7:29:56 > 7:29:59CHEERING
7:30:07 > 7:30:09# Snow is falling
7:30:09 > 7:30:12# All around me
7:30:12 > 7:30:14# Children playing
7:30:14 > 7:30:17# Having fun
7:30:17 > 7:30:21# It's the season for love and understanding
7:30:21 > 7:30:24# Merry Christmas, everyone... #
7:30:25 > 7:30:27RECORD SCRATCHES
7:30:27 > 7:30:30# I don't want a lot for Christmas
7:30:30 > 7:30:33# There is just one thing I need
7:30:33 > 7:30:37# And I don't care about the presents
7:30:37 > 7:30:40# Underneath the Christmas tree... #
7:30:40 > 7:30:41RECORD SCRATCHES
7:30:45 > 7:30:47# The time is now the place is here
7:30:47 > 7:30:50# And the whole wide world is filled with cheer
7:30:50 > 7:30:52# My name's DMC with the mic in my hand
7:30:52 > 7:30:54# I'm chilling and cooling just like a snowman
7:30:54 > 7:30:57# So open your eyes, lend us a ear
7:30:57 > 7:31:00# We want to say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"! #
7:31:00 > 7:31:01RECORD SCRATCHES
7:31:01 > 7:31:05# Oh, don't leave me alone like this
7:31:05 > 7:31:08# Don't you say it's the final kiss
7:31:08 > 7:31:11# Won't you stay another day?
7:31:11 > 7:31:14# Stay now, stay now, stay now... #
7:31:14 > 7:31:15RECORD SCRATCHES
7:31:16 > 7:31:19# Step into Christmas let's join together
7:31:19 > 7:31:23# We can watch the snow fall forever and ever
7:31:23 > 7:31:24# Eat, drink and be merry
7:31:24 > 7:31:26# Come along with me
7:31:26 > 7:31:28# Step into Christmas
7:31:28 > 7:31:31# The admission's free... #
7:31:33 > 7:31:34RECORD SCRATCHES
7:31:34 > 7:31:38# So here it is, Merry Christmas
7:31:38 > 7:31:41# Everybody's having fun
7:31:43 > 7:31:46# Look to the future now
7:31:46 > 7:31:51# It's only just begun. #
7:31:53 > 7:31:55CHEERING
7:31:57 > 7:31:58- Yay!- Aw, how good is that?!
7:31:58 > 7:32:00And THAT is how you kick off a Christmas special.
7:32:00 > 7:32:02Give it up for Boogie Stars!
7:32:02 > 7:32:05CHEERING
7:32:05 > 7:32:06Thanks so much.
7:32:06 > 7:32:08And the festive force is still strong on today's show.
7:32:08 > 7:32:10Here's what's coming up.
7:32:11 > 7:32:13There's loads on today's show,
7:32:13 > 7:32:17and we decorate a VERY special Christmas tree indeed.
7:32:17 > 7:32:18Yes, that's the Prime Minister.
7:32:18 > 7:32:20Yes, it happened.
7:32:20 > 7:32:21We make a special delivery
7:32:21 > 7:32:23to the winner of our Worst Witch competition.
7:32:23 > 7:32:24- I'm dressed as Santa!- You are!
7:32:24 > 7:32:26Look at your little tiptoes.
7:32:26 > 7:32:31And we get some VIP guests to the BP studio. Yeah, that also happened.
7:32:31 > 7:32:33It's been a big week, hasn't it, Rads?
7:32:33 > 7:32:35- It really has. But Linds... - Yeah.- ..we're on the studio floor.
7:32:35 > 7:32:37Blue Peter, make some noise!
7:32:38 > 7:32:41SCREAMING
7:32:41 > 7:32:46These guys are going crazy because we are having a Christmas party,
7:32:46 > 7:32:49and if I come this way, we've got some very special guests.
7:32:49 > 7:32:51- Hello, Rhys.- Hello, Lindsey.
7:32:51 > 7:32:54- I can barely hear you, everyone's so excited.- I know, it's my team.
7:32:54 > 7:32:57- Are you excited for today? - Oh, so excited! Definitely.
7:32:57 > 7:32:59- What are you looking forward to? - Singing with the choir!
7:32:59 > 7:33:01Ah! It's going to be good. Have we warmed up our voices?
7:33:01 > 7:33:04- Yes, we have. Guys, are we ready? - So let's hear a note.- 3, 2, 1...
7:33:04 > 7:33:06ALL: Ahhh!
7:33:06 > 7:33:07- OK.- There we go.
7:33:07 > 7:33:09- You guys were great.- Good.
7:33:09 > 7:33:12Rhys, maybe mime later. I love you, but mime. Radz?
7:33:12 > 7:33:14Linds, I'm with Tyler and Ben.
7:33:14 > 7:33:16What's Christmas got in store for you?
7:33:16 > 7:33:18Well, we have a Jamie Johnson exclusive,
7:33:18 > 7:33:21- which is very, very exciting. - And the 12 footy facts of Christmas.
7:33:21 > 7:33:22Which sounds like a song.
7:33:22 > 7:33:24# 12 footy facts of Christmas! #
7:33:24 > 7:33:26I will be watching, gents. Linds?
7:33:26 > 7:33:28I've got some very special guests.
7:33:28 > 7:33:31Look who's here, guys, it's Callum and Iggy.
7:33:31 > 7:33:32CHEERING
7:33:33 > 7:33:36Callum, thank you so much for coming in today. Iggy is wagging her tail.
7:33:36 > 7:33:39Will she be on Christmas? Have you got her a present?
7:33:39 > 7:33:42- I can't let her hear it. - Oh, can't let her hear, OK.
7:33:42 > 7:33:43She's got a load of squeaky toys.
7:33:43 > 7:33:46OK, squeaky toys, it's going to be a surprise. We love it.
7:33:46 > 7:33:48Happy Christmas, Iggs. We're expecting one more guest.
7:33:48 > 7:33:50He doesn't need an introduction, he's so great,
7:33:50 > 7:33:52but he's getting one anyway. Watch this.
7:34:06 > 7:34:09CHEERING
7:34:09 > 7:34:11Yeah!
7:34:11 > 7:34:15Here he comes, Tom Fletcher is here.
7:34:15 > 7:34:18- Come on over, Tom.- Hi. - Come and join Callum and Iggy.
7:34:18 > 7:34:21- You've met them backstage. - Yes, we've been hanging out.
7:34:21 > 7:34:23- How are you doing? - We're great, how are you?
7:34:23 > 7:34:25Because you must love this time of year, don't you?
7:34:25 > 7:34:29I love Christmas more than anyone, apart from maybe Santa.
7:34:29 > 7:34:32- There's Santa, then me. - So, what have you been up to?
7:34:32 > 7:34:34- Because you are a busy man, aren't you?- I am, yeah.
7:34:34 > 7:34:37Well, I've written a Christmas book called The Christmasaurus
7:34:37 > 7:34:40and we're actually putting it on as a live stage show in London
7:34:40 > 7:34:42this Christmas, starting next week, and I'm in it,
7:34:42 > 7:34:45my wife's in it, my sister's in it, my bandmates from McFly
7:34:45 > 7:34:49and Busted are in it, and Santa himself is in the show.
7:34:49 > 7:34:52- No, Santa makes an appearance? - Santa is there,
7:34:52 > 7:34:55- singing some Christmas songs with a flying dinosaur.- What?
7:34:55 > 7:34:58- That sounds amazing.- Nothing says Christmas like a flying dinosaur.
7:34:58 > 7:35:01Thanks for coming in today. You're also singing for us,
7:35:01 > 7:35:03and there is a web chat after the show, as well,
7:35:03 > 7:35:06so if you want to get to Fan Club Live, make sure you do it.
7:35:06 > 7:35:08- You could ask Tom anything. - Whatever you want.
7:35:08 > 7:35:11Whatever you want - but make it about Christmas, cos that's fun
7:35:11 > 7:35:12and you'll love it.
7:35:12 > 7:35:15We've had so many fab guests in the studio today,
7:35:15 > 7:35:18but just last week, we had two VIPs.
7:35:18 > 7:35:20And when I see VIPs, I mean it. Check this out.
7:35:24 > 7:35:28Last week, Blue Peter was visited by royalty.
7:35:28 > 7:35:29The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
7:35:29 > 7:35:32were given a tour of our home in Salford.
7:35:32 > 7:35:36Your Royal Highness, nice to meet you, welcome to Blue Peter Studio.
7:35:36 > 7:35:37After meeting a few of the team,
7:35:37 > 7:35:41they got to see some of your incredible post.
7:35:41 > 7:35:42And they loved it.
7:35:42 > 7:35:45It's so creative, isn't it? All the different sort of ideas.
7:35:45 > 7:35:48- There's some really good drawings, as well.- Yeah.
7:35:48 > 7:35:50They even met some fans of the show.
7:35:50 > 7:35:52Mandy here.
7:35:52 > 7:35:56- And what are these ones here? - These are sport badges.
7:35:56 > 7:35:57- From each year.- Wow.
7:35:57 > 7:36:00So you are really committed, aren't you?
7:36:00 > 7:36:03It was such an honour to meet the Duke and Duchess.
7:36:03 > 7:36:06- Did you ever get a Blue Peter badge? - No, never.- I don't think I did.
7:36:06 > 7:36:09I should have, I should have entered.
7:36:09 > 7:36:14And we wanted to recognise their work for a very important cause.
7:36:14 > 7:36:15We'd like to give you a gift,
7:36:15 > 7:36:17which is the most special gift that we have,
7:36:17 > 7:36:20and it's for doing something very special,
7:36:20 > 7:36:22and that special thing is mental health.
7:36:22 > 7:36:25I think you guys have inspired so many people,
7:36:25 > 7:36:27so many children across the country to be able to speak their minds,
7:36:27 > 7:36:30but also to know that they are going to be listened to
7:36:30 > 7:36:32and that that's OK.
7:36:32 > 7:36:34So, on behalf of everyone here on Blue Peter,
7:36:34 > 7:36:38we'd actually like to award you with our highest accolade.
7:36:38 > 7:36:41It is the gold Blue Peter badge, for your Royal Highnesses.
7:36:41 > 7:36:45- Thank you very much. - Thank you very, very much.
7:36:45 > 7:36:47- Congratulations.- Congratulations.
7:36:47 > 7:36:51- Thank you so much.- That's very kind. - Congratulations.
7:36:51 > 7:36:54Wow, that's amazing, thank you. So we have won a badge!
7:36:54 > 7:36:56Yes!
7:36:56 > 7:36:58It's hugely special, thank you so much -
7:36:58 > 7:37:01and obviously mental health has been sort of a learning process for us,
7:37:01 > 7:37:04too, and that's really why we are trying to get everyone
7:37:04 > 7:37:07talking about it, so it hasn't got the stigma that it has had.
7:37:07 > 7:37:10We've still got a long way to go yet but we are getting there.
7:37:10 > 7:37:12The momentum is changing, the shift is happening,
7:37:12 > 7:37:14which is really good, and we have hopefully cracked a problem
7:37:14 > 7:37:16that should have been cracked a long time ago.
7:37:16 > 7:37:19There is somebody else you might know with one of those,
7:37:19 > 7:37:20it might be your grandmother.
7:37:20 > 7:37:22Oh, really? We'll compare.
7:37:22 > 7:37:24- We've got a lot more work to do, I think.- Absolutely.
7:37:24 > 7:37:26But thank you so much, it's a real honour.
7:37:26 > 7:37:29Thank you for coming into the Blue Peter Studio.
7:37:29 > 7:37:31- Thank you so much. - A round of applause.
7:37:31 > 7:37:34APPLAUSE
7:37:36 > 7:37:40Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess on their BP Gold badge.
7:37:40 > 7:37:44Now, another rare badge is this, the Blue Peter orange badge.
7:37:44 > 7:37:46You get one of these for entering a Blue Peter competition,
7:37:46 > 7:37:48which over 9,000 of you have done
7:37:48 > 7:37:50with our brand-new Worst Witch competition,
7:37:50 > 7:37:52where you stood to win all of this here. Look at it!
7:37:52 > 7:37:54Oh, it's all gone.
7:37:54 > 7:37:57For a very good reason, people, because I have already delivered it.
7:37:59 > 7:38:02I've come to surprise the winner in person, who, by the way,
7:38:02 > 7:38:05has no idea that I'm here.
7:38:05 > 7:38:09Luckily, I have the perfect disguise for this time of year.
7:38:14 > 7:38:17Father Christmas would have been better, mate.
7:38:18 > 7:38:20Father Christmas would have been better.
7:38:21 > 7:38:24Thankfully, I've got that with me, too.
7:38:25 > 7:38:30Anyway, our winner thinks this is just a normal day at school,
7:38:30 > 7:38:32so as the pupils head into assembly,
7:38:32 > 7:38:36I use all my stealth to get into position for the surprise.
7:38:39 > 7:38:41- HE WHISPERS: - The winner of our competition
7:38:41 > 7:38:42is just inside this door.
7:38:42 > 7:38:45I'm going to surprise her with the prizes. Let's go.
7:38:51 > 7:38:54Ho, ho, ho! Ho, ho, ho!
7:38:54 > 7:38:56THEY SING
7:38:56 > 7:39:01Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas, everybody!
7:39:01 > 7:39:02Are we all good?
7:39:02 > 7:39:04ALL: Yes!
7:39:04 > 7:39:07Who here thinks I'm the real Father Christmas?
7:39:08 > 7:39:12Oh, you are so kind - but I'm not, you know.
7:39:12 > 7:39:18My name is Radzi and I work on a show called Blue Peter.
7:39:18 > 7:39:23We held a competition and the winner is in this school.
7:39:23 > 7:39:28Can we give a big, massive round of applause to Poppy?
7:39:28 > 7:39:31CHEERING
7:39:31 > 7:39:33Come on in, Poppy!
7:39:33 > 7:39:35Here she comes.
7:39:37 > 7:39:39Poppy, high five.
7:39:39 > 7:39:42You are the winner of the Blue Peter Worst Witch competition
7:39:42 > 7:39:47and you get a very special Blue Peter badge, the orange badge.
7:39:47 > 7:39:49So can we have one big,
7:39:49 > 7:39:52massive round of applause once again for Poppy?
7:39:52 > 7:39:55- Here you go. - CHEERING
7:39:55 > 7:39:56Well done.
7:39:58 > 7:40:02And Poppy will also be taking home loads of Worst Witch goodies
7:40:02 > 7:40:03that I picked up from the set.
7:40:05 > 7:40:07What do you love most about the worst witch?
7:40:07 > 7:40:09I like Maud and I think I look like her
7:40:09 > 7:40:12because of the way I have my hair and the glasses.
7:40:12 > 7:40:16So this is the actual broomstick from the Worst Witch.
7:40:16 > 7:40:18It is yours.
7:40:20 > 7:40:22- It's very heavy.- It is, isn't it?
7:40:23 > 7:40:26But the broom is just the start of Poppy's prizes.
7:40:28 > 7:40:31Poppy, have you ever entered a Blue Peter competition before?
7:40:31 > 7:40:33No, only this one.
7:40:33 > 7:40:37Just this one, which is exactly why you should always apply.
7:40:37 > 7:40:38Because you never know,
7:40:38 > 7:40:42I might arrive at your school to congratulate you as the next winner
7:40:42 > 7:40:44of our brand-new Blue Peter competition.
7:40:48 > 7:40:52A lovely school - and what a worthy winner she was indeed.
7:40:52 > 7:40:55Please make sure you watch The Worst Witch in the new year
7:40:55 > 7:40:57- on CBBC, right there beneath us. - That's a very clever of you.
7:40:57 > 7:41:00Earlier, you saw what the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
7:41:00 > 7:41:01made of your post.
7:41:01 > 7:41:03Quite frankly, they loved it.
7:41:03 > 7:41:05So some other people might love it.
7:41:05 > 7:41:08Look who's lining up, all of our guests today at our Christmas party.
7:41:08 > 7:41:10Linds, we're going to do it really quick
7:41:10 > 7:41:12- cos I've got this glittery haily thing.- OK.
7:41:12 > 7:41:15- Are you ready?- Yeah. - I'm going to start on my left.
7:41:15 > 7:41:17Three, two, one, Callum! What have you got?
7:41:17 > 7:41:20Ffion from Hertfordshire has made this fantastic pom-pom wreath.
7:41:20 > 7:41:22Tom, talk to me.
7:41:22 > 7:41:24Emily from Skegness gets a silver Blue Peter badge
7:41:24 > 7:41:26because she has made an advent calendar with real presents in.
7:41:26 > 7:41:30- Incredible.- And behind door number 24 is the golden...
7:41:30 > 7:41:32- You can keep that, Tom Fletcher. - I'm going to keep that.
7:41:32 > 7:41:34- Next, Linds.- Who's next? Come on.
7:41:34 > 7:41:37James from Lancashire has Shelley dressed as Father Christmas.
7:41:37 > 7:41:39- Classic. Off you go.- Next!
7:41:39 > 7:41:43Well, Eden from Aberdeen has drawn Radzi, Shelley and Mildred
7:41:43 > 7:41:46- outside Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches.- That was fast!
7:41:46 > 7:41:49- That was so fast.- Isla from Cambridge has a hedgehog home
7:41:49 > 7:41:51- for the Blue Peter garden. How cool is that?- It's very cool.
7:41:51 > 7:41:54Bye, Ben, I love you. Santa, good of you to show up.
7:41:54 > 7:41:57Ava-Grace has made that wonderful Christmas card
7:41:57 > 7:42:00with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on it. Very well done to you.
7:42:00 > 7:42:01HONK!
7:42:01 > 7:42:03- I love you so much. - That's all we've got time for.
7:42:03 > 7:42:05That is all we've got time for.
7:42:05 > 7:42:07Keep your post coming to the usual address.
7:42:07 > 7:42:09- We love receiving it, don't we, Santa?- We certainly do.- Because...
7:42:09 > 7:42:11# You may earn a badge
7:42:11 > 7:42:14# That can get you into 200 attractions
7:42:14 > 7:42:18# Across the UK for free. #
7:42:19 > 7:42:22I love you. Something else that I love is the Blue Peter website.
7:42:22 > 7:42:25Check out what's on it. Thanks, Santa.
7:42:27 > 7:42:28Yeah!
7:42:28 > 7:42:30Happy dance, happy days.
7:42:30 > 7:42:33Do you see yourself in these pictures?
7:42:33 > 7:42:34Yes, in the statue. Right here.
7:42:34 > 7:42:37Right here on the beach. Right here behind the lady.
7:42:37 > 7:42:38Oh, man!
7:42:38 > 7:42:40That was tough. That was very fun, though.
7:42:49 > 7:42:53- Linds, John Cena just did the happy dance.- Do it again.
7:42:53 > 7:42:56OK, now it's time for something very special -
7:42:56 > 7:43:00a song so heart-warming, so festive it could melt a snowman, officially.
7:43:00 > 7:43:03It's Tom Fletcher with the amazing I Ho, Ho, Hope It's Santa!
7:43:08 > 7:43:10Ho, ho, ho!
7:43:10 > 7:43:12Merry Christmas, everyone!
7:43:14 > 7:43:16Here we go!
7:43:22 > 7:43:24# I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:43:24 > 7:43:27# It made my heart go jump
7:43:27 > 7:43:29# The stomp of boots
7:43:29 > 7:43:31# And the clomp of hooves
7:43:31 > 7:43:33# Went clippety, clippety, clump!
7:43:33 > 7:43:36# Oh, I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:43:36 > 7:43:39# I wonder what it was
7:43:39 > 7:43:44# I really ho, ho, hope it's Santa Claus
7:43:45 > 7:43:48# Oh, I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:43:48 > 7:43:51# It sounded like a sleigh
7:43:51 > 7:43:54# I went to bed on Christmas Eve
7:43:54 > 7:43:56# And now it's Christmas Day
7:43:56 > 7:44:00# Oh, I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:44:00 > 7:44:03# I wonder what it was
7:44:03 > 7:44:06# I really ho, ho, hope it's Santa Claus
7:44:08 > 7:44:11# All the sleigh bells that go jingle
7:44:11 > 7:44:14# Are making that jingle noise
7:44:14 > 7:44:17# And the man they call Kris Kringle
7:44:17 > 7:44:20# He's bringing us lots of toys
7:44:20 > 7:44:23# Oh, I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:44:23 > 7:44:26# Now I can't sleep because
7:44:26 > 7:44:31# I really ho, ho, hope it's Santa Claus... #
7:44:31 > 7:44:32Let's go, boys!
7:44:55 > 7:44:58# All the sleigh bells that go jingle
7:44:58 > 7:45:01# Are making that jingle noise
7:45:01 > 7:45:04# And the man they call Kris Kringle
7:45:04 > 7:45:07# He's bringing us lots of toys
7:45:07 > 7:45:10# Oh, I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:45:10 > 7:45:13# Now I can't sleep because
7:45:13 > 7:45:18# I really ho, ho, hope it's Santa Claus
7:45:18 > 7:45:19# Yeah
7:45:19 > 7:45:22# I heard a noise on the rooftop
7:45:22 > 7:45:25# Now I can't sleep because
7:45:25 > 7:45:28# I really ho, ho, hope it's Santa
7:45:28 > 7:45:31# Ho, ho, ho, ho, hope it's Santa
7:45:31 > 7:45:39# Really ho, ho, hope it's Santa Claus! #
7:45:40 > 7:45:43CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
7:45:46 > 7:45:47That was so good!
7:45:47 > 7:45:50That is what you call smashing it out of the park.
7:45:50 > 7:45:54- Who here feels really Christmassy? - Me! Do you feel Christmassy?
7:45:54 > 7:45:59Yes, good. We actually did the same for the Prime Minister.
7:45:59 > 7:46:01Don't believe us? Check this out.
7:46:03 > 7:46:06Farmers have travelled from the furthest corners of the UK.
7:46:06 > 7:46:09It's been a decade growing the perfect specimen -
7:46:09 > 7:46:12and no, I'm not talking about giant vegetables,
7:46:12 > 7:46:13I'm talking about Christmas trees.
7:46:13 > 7:46:17And not just any old tree - oh, no, the most high-profile
7:46:17 > 7:46:19and iconic tree in the country.
7:46:21 > 7:46:24I'm talking about the tree outside one of the most
7:46:24 > 7:46:26important addresses anywhere.
7:46:27 > 7:46:29That's right, Number Ten Downing Street,
7:46:29 > 7:46:31the home of the Prime Minister.
7:46:33 > 7:46:35It's a tree seen by people all over the world,
7:46:35 > 7:46:38and the journey to get there starts in Yorkshire,
7:46:38 > 7:46:40where the country's best growers gather
7:46:40 > 7:46:44to be awarded the honour of growing the Downing Street tree.
7:46:44 > 7:46:47It's a bit like The X Factor, but with trees.
7:46:49 > 7:46:51I'm meeting one of the organisers, Martin,
7:46:51 > 7:46:54and I have come dressed for the occasion.
7:46:56 > 7:46:59- Hello, Martin.- Hello, Lindsey. - I'm ready.- For what?
7:46:59 > 7:47:03- Decorating the tree. - Whoa, whoa - too early, Lindsey.
7:47:03 > 7:47:06- The trees have a long, long way to go yet.- Right.
7:47:06 > 7:47:09- Shall I go get changed? - I think you ought to. Don't rush.
7:47:09 > 7:47:11OK. I feel a bit silly.
7:47:13 > 7:47:15- Sorry about that, a bit embarrassed.- No problem.
7:47:15 > 7:47:17Anyway, how do you grow one of these little beauties?
7:47:17 > 7:47:20You start with a little sapling like that, at three years old...
7:47:20 > 7:47:25Hang on a minute, this kind of twig, that took three years?
7:47:25 > 7:47:27Three years from a seed, yes, to get to that size.
7:47:27 > 7:47:30- It's not a fast process, is it? - It's very slow, no.
7:47:30 > 7:47:31It will take eight years to get from that
7:47:31 > 7:47:34- to the tree that you will get in your house.- Eight years.
7:47:34 > 7:47:36Eight years, it's a long process.
7:47:36 > 7:47:38I had no idea the process was quite that long -
7:47:38 > 7:47:40and what do you think makes the perfect tree?
7:47:40 > 7:47:42What shall I be looking out for today?
7:47:42 > 7:47:44It depends what you like, we all like different things,
7:47:44 > 7:47:46but I personally like a nice, full Christmas tree.
7:47:46 > 7:47:48We've also got the colour of the tree
7:47:48 > 7:47:50and fragrance of the tree as well.
7:47:53 > 7:47:56The competition has been running since 1982.
7:47:56 > 7:47:58Those on display aren't the actual trees
7:47:58 > 7:48:00that will go to Downing Street,
7:48:00 > 7:48:03but they demonstrate the farmers' growing skills.
7:48:04 > 7:48:07Everyone here gets a voting slip and on that, they pick which tree
7:48:07 > 7:48:09they think is the best in each variety,
7:48:09 > 7:48:13and then after that, they pick which tree they think is best overall.
7:48:14 > 7:48:17And because I'm here today, I get to vote, too.
7:48:20 > 7:48:21Strong pine, very good.
7:48:24 > 7:48:26Yeah, this one's spruced up nicely.
7:48:27 > 7:48:30Yeah, I think it's clear I don't know my Nordmann Fir
7:48:30 > 7:48:32from my Norway Spruce.
7:48:32 > 7:48:34In fact, I don't even know what those words mean.
7:48:34 > 7:48:38Thankfully, Jack here knows a thing or two and he'll also be voting.
7:48:39 > 7:48:42- Hey, Jack, how are you? - No looking at my sheet.
7:48:42 > 7:48:44OK, no, you're right, I won't look at your voting slip.
7:48:44 > 7:48:46- You've been voting hard, haven't you?- Yes.
7:48:46 > 7:48:48So, have you entered any trees today?
7:48:48 > 7:48:52- Yeah, I'm here with my uncle, and he's entered five trees.- Five?
7:48:52 > 7:48:55- So you have got quite good chances of winning, I reckon.- Yeah.
7:48:55 > 7:48:57What are you looking for in the trees today?
7:48:57 > 7:48:59- A nice shape of the trees and nice colour.- Listen, good luck.
7:48:59 > 7:49:02You don't need it, but good luck. High five.
7:49:05 > 7:49:06Right, shape and colour.
7:49:06 > 7:49:10This is tough - but I finally make up my mind.
7:49:10 > 7:49:13The votes are in and it's time to announce the winner.
7:49:13 > 7:49:16The winner of grower of the year is...
7:49:16 > 7:49:18Rob Morgan of Grower Fresh Christmas Trees.
7:49:18 > 7:49:20CHEERING
7:49:20 > 7:49:22Congratulations, Rob.
7:49:22 > 7:49:25He will now get to pick the Prime Minister's tree
7:49:25 > 7:49:27from his farm in South Wales.
7:49:28 > 7:49:30A bit taken aback, to be honest.
7:49:30 > 7:49:31I knew it was a nice tree, but as you can see,
7:49:31 > 7:49:34the quality of the trees in there is amazing -
7:49:34 > 7:49:36but to get the top spot is such an honour.
7:49:41 > 7:49:45Come on, we're not going to miss the moment he picks THE tree,
7:49:45 > 7:49:46so a few weeks later,
7:49:46 > 7:49:49we join Rob and his son Lloyd for the big moment.
7:49:49 > 7:49:51It's exciting times on the farm today.
7:49:51 > 7:49:53We've got to cut down the Christmas tree for Number Ten.
7:49:53 > 7:49:56I planted it on a bit of a whim, not knowing what to do, really,
7:49:56 > 7:49:59and as we're growing Christmas trees now we're surrounded by them and,
7:49:59 > 7:50:01yeah, it's probably about a 20-year-old tree
7:50:01 > 7:50:05and a fitting tribute to its life as a Christmas tree, to be honest.
7:50:05 > 7:50:08MOTOR ROARS
7:50:10 > 7:50:12Timber!
7:50:13 > 7:50:15That's what you shout, isn't it?
7:50:15 > 7:50:18It's now time to move this beauty to London.
7:50:18 > 7:50:20Downing Street, is it, Linds?
7:50:20 > 7:50:23Probably best if I take it from here.
7:50:23 > 7:50:24Typical.
7:50:24 > 7:50:26That door is Number Ten, this is Downing Street
7:50:26 > 7:50:28and the tree is finally here.
7:50:28 > 7:50:31It's lying down there but we're soon going to get it stood up.
7:50:33 > 7:50:36You don't need me to tell you that the next job is to decorate it.
7:50:36 > 7:50:40This 18-footer takes 1,500 lights
7:50:40 > 7:50:43and more than 300 decorations,
7:50:43 > 7:50:46and I get to hang a very special one -
7:50:46 > 7:50:47but I've got another job.
7:50:49 > 7:50:52Do you know, one of my favourite things about working on Blue Peter
7:50:52 > 7:50:57is we get to see things you quite frankly wouldn't see anywhere else.
7:50:57 > 7:51:00The official Christmas wreath
7:51:00 > 7:51:03on the Number Ten Downing Street door.
7:51:03 > 7:51:05What an honour.
7:51:05 > 7:51:07So, Christmas decorations done,
7:51:07 > 7:51:09next stop, turn on the Christmas lights.
7:51:11 > 7:51:15Great work, Radz. Finally, it's the day of the switch-on.
7:51:15 > 7:51:18The world's press are here and we're not missing this.
7:51:18 > 7:51:22Time to hand over to the Prime Minister herself, Theresa May.
7:51:23 > 7:51:27Hello, everybody, it's great to see you all here
7:51:27 > 7:51:30as we are ready to turn on the Christmas tree lights
7:51:30 > 7:51:32here in Downing Street once again.
7:51:32 > 7:51:35Three, two, one...
7:51:37 > 7:51:39CHEERING
7:51:41 > 7:51:44Who would have thought the journey to get this tree here
7:51:44 > 7:51:48started months ago and nearly 200 miles away?
7:51:48 > 7:51:50And Blue Peter brought you all of it.
7:51:50 > 7:51:54What an amazing achievement by Rob to get his tree here
7:51:54 > 7:51:57outside Number Ten, and for us to be just a little part of that,
7:51:57 > 7:52:00it's been absolutely amazing. I feel really festive.
7:52:00 > 7:52:03Linds, Christmas is properly here.
7:52:04 > 7:52:06What an unforgettable day that was -
7:52:06 > 7:52:08but as much a part of any Blue Peter Christmas
7:52:08 > 7:52:13as a Christmas tree decoration is this, our wooden nativity scene.
7:52:13 > 7:52:16It's been with Blue Peter for over 50 years.
7:52:16 > 7:52:19Now, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus,
7:52:19 > 7:52:23who Christians like myself believe to be the son of God.
7:52:23 > 7:52:26But to help finish the setting, I've got three helpers.
7:52:26 > 7:52:27Katie, it's over to you.
7:52:27 > 7:52:30Here are Mary and Joseph,
7:52:30 > 7:52:35- who were staying in the stable with all the other animals.- Thank you.
7:52:35 > 7:52:40- Alex, over to you.- The shepherds who followed the Star of Bethlehem.
7:52:40 > 7:52:41And Lainey.
7:52:41 > 7:52:44And here are the three wise men who came later,
7:52:44 > 7:52:47bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
7:52:47 > 7:52:48And last but by no means least,
7:52:48 > 7:52:51the most important person of them all,
7:52:51 > 7:52:54baby Jesus lying in his manger.
7:52:54 > 7:52:57From all of us here at Blue Peter, whatever you're doing for Christmas,
7:52:57 > 7:53:00we wish you all a very...
7:53:00 > 7:53:02- ALL:- Merry Christmas!
7:53:02 > 7:53:06Guys, that was beautiful. I feel really festive, that was lovely.
7:53:06 > 7:53:09And of course, it's been an amazing year here on Blue Peter.
7:53:09 > 7:53:13It's about to get even better in 2018. Check this out.
7:53:15 > 7:53:17Coming up in 2018...
7:53:17 > 7:53:19This is indoor surfing!
7:53:19 > 7:53:21Check this out!
7:53:25 > 7:53:26Come on!
7:53:32 > 7:53:35Oh, I don't want to look down. We're not going out over there.
7:53:35 > 7:53:38- That's where we're going. - No, stop it. What?
7:53:38 > 7:53:40Freestyle snowboarding.
7:53:40 > 7:53:41Ho-ho!
7:53:43 > 7:53:45Did you see that?
7:53:45 > 7:53:48We're here for BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.
7:53:49 > 7:53:51High five!
7:53:51 > 7:53:56Oh, my goodness, this is unbelievable.
7:53:56 > 7:53:57Yeah!
7:53:57 > 7:53:59- Wow.- Bring it on!
7:54:00 > 7:54:02CHEERING
7:54:05 > 7:54:072018 will be the best year ever.
7:54:07 > 7:54:08That is going to be so good -
7:54:08 > 7:54:11but now it's time for one of our favourite moments of the year.
7:54:11 > 7:54:13It's time for a Christmas carol.
7:54:13 > 7:54:15We're going to sing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
7:54:15 > 7:54:16We've got a lot of help here
7:54:16 > 7:54:18and we hope you'll sing along at home, as well.
7:54:18 > 7:54:20That's right, we're going to be joined by choirs
7:54:20 > 7:54:22from Moorlands Junior, Beaver Road,
7:54:22 > 7:54:25St Anne's Church of England and of course Old Moat Primary School.
7:54:25 > 7:54:27As well as that, Rolls Crescent, Broadfields,
7:54:27 > 7:54:31Wilbraham Primary Schools, and the choir from the Lancasterian School.
7:54:31 > 7:54:33And they are going to be joined by members
7:54:33 > 7:54:37of the BBC North staff choir with a musical accompaniment,
7:54:37 > 7:54:40which you can hear, from the Central North Salvation Army band.
7:54:40 > 7:54:42Cannot wait. Here they come now.
7:54:46 > 7:54:50# Hark the herald angels sing
7:54:50 > 7:54:54# Glory to the newborn King!
7:54:54 > 7:55:00# Peace on earth and mercy mild
7:55:00 > 7:55:05# God and sinners reconciled
7:55:05 > 7:55:09# Joyful, all ye nations rise
7:55:09 > 7:55:14# Join the triumph of the skies
7:55:14 > 7:55:18# With the angelic host proclaim
7:55:18 > 7:55:23# Christ is born in Bethlehem
7:55:23 > 7:55:28# Hark the herald angels sing
7:55:28 > 7:55:33# Glory to the newborn King!
7:55:35 > 7:55:40# Christ by highest heaven adored
7:55:40 > 7:55:45# Christ the everlasting Lord
7:55:45 > 7:55:49# Late in time behold him come
7:55:49 > 7:55:54# Offspring of the virgin's womb
7:55:54 > 7:55:59# Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
7:55:59 > 7:56:04# Hail the incarnate deity
7:56:04 > 7:56:08# Pleased as man with men to dwell
7:56:08 > 7:56:13# Jesus, our Emmanuel
7:56:13 > 7:56:18# Hark the herald angels sing
7:56:18 > 7:56:23# Glory to the newborn King! #
7:56:24 > 7:56:27We're going to do the next verse in just a minute,
7:56:27 > 7:56:29but first, we'd like to wish you all
7:56:29 > 7:56:31a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
7:56:31 > 7:56:34Be sure not to miss Blue Peter on 28th December,
7:56:34 > 7:56:36which is all about the highlights of 2017.
7:56:36 > 7:56:37Then, on the 4th of January,
7:56:37 > 7:56:40it's a special about my free fall challenge,
7:56:40 > 7:56:41when I skydived out of a plane.
7:56:41 > 7:56:43You'll see that from start to finish.
7:56:43 > 7:56:46We are going to be live again on Thursday the 11th of January,
7:56:46 > 7:56:48so make sure you're watching -
7:56:48 > 7:56:50and over the Christmas holidays,
7:56:50 > 7:56:52do head to the Blue Peter website. It's amazing.
7:56:52 > 7:56:55There's loads there to make, do and watch, so get involved.
7:56:55 > 7:56:58As well as that, after this, head to the BP Fan Club Live
7:56:58 > 7:57:01to chat all things Christmas with Tom Fletcher.
7:57:01 > 7:57:02Don't miss out.
7:57:02 > 7:57:06So, on behalf of Blue Peter, every single person in the studio,
7:57:06 > 7:57:10we'd like to wish every single one of you at home a very...
7:57:10 > 7:57:12- ALL:- Merry Christmas!
7:57:12 > 7:57:14- It's snowing!- Look at that!
7:57:15 > 7:57:20# Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace
7:57:20 > 7:57:25# Hail the Son of Righteousness
7:57:25 > 7:57:30# Light and life to all he brings
7:57:30 > 7:57:35# Risen with healing in his wings
7:57:35 > 7:57:39# Mild he lays his glory by
7:57:39 > 7:57:44# Born that man no more may die
7:57:44 > 7:57:49# Born to raise the sons of earth
7:57:49 > 7:57:53# Born to give them second birth
7:57:53 > 7:57:58# Hark the herald angels sing
7:57:58 > 7:58:04# Glory to the newborn King! #
7:58:04 > 7:58:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE