The CBBC Broom Cupboard has returned to BBC iPlayer to mark its 30th anniversary, with a special programme featuring 30 former presenters. The hour-long show, titled 'Hacker's Birthday Bash: 30 Years of Children's BBC', aired on CBBC and was hosted by Cel Spellman, Katie Thistleton, Hacker T Dog and Dodge T Dog.
Phillip Schofield, who presented the first Children's BBC slot on 9 September 1985, was among those looking back. He said: 'I had great fun in the Broom Cupboard, learning the skills of live TV. If you can introduce Newsround with a fluffy Gopher squeaking next to you, you can handle anything.' Other former presenters including Andi Peters, Zoe Ball and Andy Crane also shared memories.
The programme included archive clips from the past three decades and saw past presenters play classic CBBC games. Non-human characters such as Gordon the Gopher and Edd the Duck were also remembered. Andi Peters, who spent four years in the Broom Cupboard, noted: 'When I last presented Children's BBC, Take That were topping the charts and Chris Evans was everywhere. Perhaps not that much has changed in the last 22 years after all.'
Zoe Ball, who now presents 'Strictly Come Dancing' spin-off 'It Takes Two', described the anniversary as 'a fantastic achievement' and said it was 'such a joy to have been part of'. The programme also revealed the newest recruit to the CBBC presenting team live on air.
