Described as a "working class Blue Peter", Magpie was one of the most popular children's shows of the 70's. Actually running from 1968-1980, it made stars out of it's presenters, with Susan Stranks, Mick Robertson and Douglas Rae being the most famous. Although many of the elements of the programme were similar to those of Blue Peter, (for example the badges, appeals, the makes, the annuals and the sparsely furnished set) these only formed the basis of the programme. On top of those were many new and original ideas that seemed more fun and up to date than the rather stade looking Blue Peter - making Magpie a big success.

On this new WATCHED IT! page, we will look at the different elements that went into making Magpie.

The first edition of Magpie was on the 30 July 1968 and ran on ITV until 1980. Originally running in a once-weekly 40 minute format on a Tuesday, in Frebruary 1969 it altered to a twice weekly slot where the programme lasted 25 minutes. There was another shift in 1972 when the transmittion says were swapped from Tuesdays and Thursdays to the familiar Tuesdays and Fridays where the programme stayed until its demise in 1980.

The original presenters were Susan Stranks, Tony Bastable and former Radio 1 DJ Pete Brady. The programme was conceived by Lewis Rudd, who executive-produced it for the entire run. The format of the programme was more or less a copy of its BBC rival, Blue Peter, although Magpie strived to to bring the format up to date. One such means was the use of a more modern opening theme tune which was based on the old rhyme:

One For Sorrow,
Two For Joy,
Three for a Girl and
Four for a boy,
Five for Silver,
Six for Gold,
Seven is a secret never to be told,
Eight's a wish and
Nine's a kiss,
Ten is a bird that you must not miss

So where are they now? Tony Bastable, Pete Brady, Douglas Rae and Mick Robertson are now all succesful producers. Mick has produced children's series including Sticky and the award winning Wise Up and Douglas has produced films such as Mrs Brown. Tommy Boyd now presents on radio station TalkSport, Susan Stranks is heavily involved in campaining for children's radio and we don't know what Jenny Hanley is up to! Do you? Get in touch!

Oh, and by the way, the Magpie mascot was called Murgatroyd incase you'd forgot!

Just as with Blue Peter, the Magpie badges were an important part of the show. However, with Magpie there were 10 badges on offer for all sorts of different achievments. TV Cream have an excellent page detailing all of the Magpie badges that you can find here (link).

In the same way as Blue Peter, every Christmas time Magpie ran television appeals to help disadvantaged children. Unlike Blue Peter, though, Magpie asked directly for money from the viewers instead plees for stamps, postcards and old wool. They suggested that viewers' gave sixpence therefore calling them "Magpie Sixpence Appeals". Unlike Blue Peter's totaliser, Magpie's appeal progress was charted by a thick red and white line that ran throughout the whole of Teddington Studios. Targets would then be given to viewers i.e. "let's see if we can get to the canteen by Tuesday's show".

Here are two images of Douglas Rae following the line round Teddington Studios and checking what has been bought already on the blackboard.

In the same mould as the Blue Peter Book there was the Magpie Annual released each Christmas. It would be full of stories, games, pictures and information on the show. Take a look at some of the covers below.

Again, like Blue Peter, Magpie's set was sparsely furnished. Although they did make an effort to make it more colourful and exciting. There were various different incarnations of the set, often featuring a large Magpie logo, or a picture of Murgatroyd, but pictured below is one of the later sets featuring the addition of a colourful table and chair area.

Finally, who could forget the all important presenters. Seven faces fronted the programme over its 12 years. Which team do you remember best?

Last Updated 15 October 2000.

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