This old clip of Blue Peter catching fire puts the comedy elephant in the shade

John Plunkett. Updated February 22nd, 2021

Everyone’s seen that Lulu the elephant moment on Blue Peter – about a million times each, probably – and it is indeed a seminal kids’ TV moment.

But we’ve never seen this, another episode of the BBC children’s show which surely puts the comedy elephant in the shade. You might not laugh as much – well, you probably will – but your jaw will definitely drop lower.

Because look at this, a moment from 1971 shared by the always followable @BBCArchive on Twitter. Watch to the end, as they say.

#OnThisDay 1971: Blue Peter had an unfortunate incident involving a studio full of singing girl guides and a campfire… pic.twitter.com/x8NmCv41sR

— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) February 22, 2021

It’s the looks on everyone’s faces. Well, that and everything else. No wonder they sped up at the end.

https://twitter.com/verbatimfoley/status/1363826972888100864?s=20

It’s okay…. it was before the introduction of 1974 Health and Safety at work act🤦‍♂️
Did no one think…
That electric.. it should be on fire 🔥

— Rob Bennett (@SafetyDave1000k) February 22, 2021

https://twitter.com/Andydrewz/status/1363826021255049217?s=20

I like the way back then, that if were some sort of keeper, zoo keeper, park keeper, school keeper, bbc keeper etc you had the uniform lol with a peak cap 👍😃

— Steve (@steve_snell) February 22, 2021

https://twitter.com/GreatestCapital/status/1363823945221292032?s=20

Health and safety!

Source Twitter @BBCArchive