<P> Many presenters are awarded the more prestigious "gold badge" when they leave the show . When Simon Thomas left in 2005, he was awarded a gold badge on his last programme . This has since become a tradition with Liz Barker, Matt Baker, Konnie Huq, Katy Hill, Joel Defries, Andy Akinwolere, Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood also being awarded gold badges on their final show . Conversely, when Richard Bacon was fired from the show for drug use, he was required to hand back his Blue Peter badge . </P> <P> Several former presenters have been awarded them when appearing as guests on the programme . Valerie Singleton was awarded a gold badge during a studio interview recorded for the 1990 video release "The Best of Blue Peter, the 60's and 70's". Her fellow presenters John Noakes and Peter Purves were given gold badges on the first programme in 2000 when the time capsule for the year 2000 was dug up . Peter Duncan was presented with a gold badge in February 2007, whilst appearing on the programme as a guest . </P> <P> Blue Peter badges are frequently given out to children who appear on the show . Additionally, viewers aged 6--15 can apply for a badges by corresponding with the show by post . Applications require a message of at least 50 words explaining why a badge is deserved and often include drawings, poems, or other creative works . There are different types of badges, representing different types of achievement . </P> <P> The badge was originally introduced in 1963, featuring the blue ship logo on a white plastic shield inspired by the ship from Disney's Peter Pan . This design remained unchanged until the 1990s when a revised badge featuring a raised moulding of the ship design by Tony Hart was introduced (more detailed and neater than the previous printed reproduction). This version disappeared in 1997 when the old - style badge returned . </P>

How do you get a gold blue peter badge
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