A new Blue Peter Diamond badge designed by international fashion designer Henry Holland was launched on CBBC during the show’s landmark 5000th episode. 

The first Blue Peter badge was launched 55 years ago with the new Diamond badge created to mark the show’s 60th anniversary in October. The Diamond badge will be a limited edition badge and only awarded within the special 60th year. It is the first time in the show’s history that the iconic shield badge shape has been replaced.

Blue Peter’s young fans will need to complete certain tasks to earn this exclusive badge, including telling the programme about an amazing experience they’ve had, inspiring others to think about the world around them, explaining how they help other people, speaking to their friends and family about what they remember about Blue Peter, and what they will do to celebrate Blue Peter’s Big Birthday.

Henry Holland was delighted to be asked to design the new badge. He says: "I don’t know a single person who didn’t grow up with Blue Peter as their cultural reference point and backdrop to their childhood. It’s a British institution and I’m so thrilled to be a part of the story with this project. As the badge design is in honour of the Diamond year I wanted to reflect this in the design creating something that was extra special and perfect for everyone’s inner magpie!”

During the 5000th episode a montage of famous faces revealed why the show - and their Blue Peter badge - is special to them.

• Greg James: “Blue Peter is an institution and I feel like it was probably my first ever friend."
• Nick Park: “Throughout my childhood I watched Blue Peter and I loved the way the presenters were always making things and inspiring you to be creative.”
• Doc Brown (Ben Bailey Smith): “It was the first TV show that I ever saw that felt interactive like I could get involved or kids could get involved.”
• Anthony Horowitz: “It was a programme I watched as a child, and here I am all these years later and I’m on it!”
• Eddie Redmayne: “These are like the most extraordinary… I can’t believe I’ve got a Blue Peter badge.”
• Alex Scott: “This is amazing, I was lucky enough to get an MBE but this is special.”
• Liam Neeson: “Keep your Oscars… Blue Peter badge.”

The 5000th episode also saw Lindsey take a trip to HMS Belfast to help with some key maintenance of the ship - including climbing the mast over 100 feet above the River Thames - and  nine year-old magician Issy Simpson, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, performed illusions live in the studio.

Leila Williams, who was an original presenter on the first episode of Blue Peter - the longest running children’s show in the world - congratulated the show on reaching 5000 episodes. She said: “What an achievement to reach such a milestone, it is stupendous and mind boggling. The memory of walking into that little office in Shepherd's Bush after the first broadcast went out to be met by John, Gilly and Chris shouting ‘we are a success!’ will always stay with me. Looking forward I can only say how exciting it is that Blue Peter will reach 60 years in October. It is a huge tribute to the teams past and present who have worked so hard to keep her afloat.”

Together with the Diamond Badge, Blue Peter viewers can earn Blue, Silver, Green, Purple, Sport and Orange badges. The programme’s highest accolade is still the Gold badge with the most recent recipients being the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They received their badges for their campaign work around mental health while visiting the Blue Peter studios at the end of last year.

Blue Peter will celebrate its 60th anniversary in October 2018 and has a host of special events taking place across the next 10 months to honour the occasion.

The show isn’t giving too much away for now but there is something very special lined up every month in the lead up to the Big Birthday on October 16th. Past and current presenters will all get involved , they’ll be exciting and exclusive competitions, big challenges for Lindsey and Radzi, and a special 60th birthday time capsule.

Ewan Vinnicombe, Editor of Blue Peter, says: “We've got such an exciting year ahead with many treats in store for our audience, across all generations, to celebrate the special place that Blue Peter holds within the UK.”

Blue Peter is live on CBBC each Thursday at 5.30pm.