Floella Benjamin
@FloellaBenjamin
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Yippee I’m 75 today and feel totally blessed and happy❤️
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Made it to 73 today and feeling truly blessed with a heart overflowing with joy and contentment ❤️
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Just can’t stop smiling on my birthday. 71 today, ‘who would have thought’
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Happy New Year everyone especially my #Playschool Babies. Don’t forget to spread love and joy wherever you go throughout 2022! ❤️
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Johnny Ball was my first co-presenter on #Playschool 46 years ago and it was lovely catching up with him at #RHSChelsea Flower Show yesterday 💐
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Getting ready to go off to Buckingham Palace to be made a Dame! Can’t tell you how excited I am. So wish my beloved mum was alive to come with me today. She was the most loving and giving person in the world. This is her day too❤️❤️
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So good to see Harry and Megan showing loving public support to each other as always. The human touch is so comforting especially at sad and emotional times ❤️
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Hooray 74 today and feeling totally blessed and contented ❤️
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Happy New Year to everyone, especially my #Playschool Babies. Sending you all my unconditional love and hugs #keepsmiling ❤️
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Had my #Covid19 vaccine today through the round window from a doctor who tells me he’s one of my #Playschool Babies #NHSuk @ATMedics @omardin @drhasnainabbasi ❤️ #OxfordAstraZeneca @HLCOVID19Com
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Had the most incredible time receiving my Order of Merit and celebrating with the other recipients. Just wish my beloved mum and dad were still here to celebrate the fruits of their labour. I found a white feather though as I left the chapel. They were looking down on me ❤️
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Thanks for all the wonderful, affective messages sent to me especially from my #Playschool Babies. It was a truly magnificent experience carrying the #Coronation Sceptre with Dove, which represents peace, mercy, equality and love which is everything I believe in ❤️
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My mum always used to say ‘you’ve made it when you are on #DesertIslandDiscs’ So looking forward to fulfilling her wish. I did it mum! @laurenlaverne @BBCRadio4
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Festive greetings everyone especially my #Playschool Babies. Please stay happy and keep smiling. Sending virtual hugs ❤️🎄
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The girl in the National Windrush Monument represents me and all the children who arrived at #Waterloo Stn in the 50’s 60’s and 70’s with our ‘grips’ - suitcases. So emotional, I cried when I saw her❤️
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Thank you for all the wonderful happy birthday wishes, especially those from my #Playschool Babies. I am floating in an ocean of love & affection ❤️
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Really wish my mum and dad were still here to see my portrait painted my the artist June Mendoza hanging in the @UKHouseofLords! Who would have thought ❤️
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As I have not received a reply to my first letter I’ve written this follow up letter to the Prime Minister expressing my dismay and disappointment at his government’s complete lack of respect for the #Windrush Generation @RishiSunak @LibDems @ukhomeoffice
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I adored working with #BernardCribbins back in the 80’s. He was a creative genius, great storyteller and knew just how to communicate with an audience. He has left a lasting legacy. #RIPBernard ❤️
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Finally got the chance to wear my feathery dress which I’ve had for ages and what better occasion than on my birthday ❤️
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Happy to be celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth across the country with Humpty looking through the round window at many of my #Playschool Babies 💕
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This is my beloved mother aged 18 in Trinidad. She was my everything and would have been 96 today and I found a white feather to celebrate her legacy ❤️
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In 1960 aged 10 I arrived from #Trinidad at #WaterlooStn platform 19. Little did I know 62yrs later I would be in charge of creating a #NationalWindrushMonument near that platform to celebrate the #Windrush contribution to Britain. This is part of the #Windrush75 legacy
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To have had a leading role in the #Coronation along with an inspirational woman, the first Black female Bishop, is something I will never forget❤️ Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin @DoverBishop
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This is the letter I have sent to the Prime Minister with regard to rumours of the #Windrush Scandal recommendations being reneged on. I do hope it is not true @RishiSunak @LibDems @LibDemLords @ukhomeoffice #Windrush75
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Thank you Paul for reminding me that today is the 47th anniversary of my first #Playschool appearance. I loved showing unconditional love to all my Playschool Babies back then and still do today #KeepSmiling ❤️@PaulJack662016 @CBeebiesHQ
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I first worked with the multi talented, extremely funny Derek Griffiths nearly 50 years ago in the Black Mikado. He encouraged me to audition for #Playschool in 1976 and we have remained firm friends over the years. Happy birthday dearest Derek 💝.
Derek Griffiths is 78 today, Happy Birthday Derek 🎁🎂
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Thanks to all those who showed me unconditional love and affection, especially my #Playschool Babies in 2022. Wishing everyone a happy, joyful and blessed #NewYear. Keep goodness and kindness in your heart as we move into 2023❤️
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Happy festive greetings to everyone, especially my #Playschool Babies. Wishing you all much peace, joy and happiness wrapped up with unconditional love 🎄🎄❤️❤️🎄🎄
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Happy 60th Birthday #Playschool the ultimate classic pre-school programme. This show means everything to me. Being one of the presenters was simply the best time of my life as I was able to spread unconditional love, joy and happiness to all my Playschool Babies from the heart❤️
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My heart is bursting with joy and happiness. To receive a @BAFTA Fellowship is something I never dreamed would happen to me. All I did was try to make a difference to the lives of others. Hope my #Playschool Babies are happy for me ❤️.
Baroness Floella Benjamin is to be honoured with a major television award - the BAFTA Fellowship. The former children's TV presenter is being recognised for her 'tireless support of young people' and spoke to #BBCBreakfast .
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The festive season has begun so wishing you all, especially my #Playschool Babies, a happy, peaceful, joyful and contented time. Sending you all virtual hugs wrapped up with my unconditional love❤️🎄❤️
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My fears have been realised, not getting a reply from @RishiSunak shows the report to drop 3 #Windush recommendations was true. This can only be seen as heartless, cruel and disrespectful to Caribbean people who have contributed greatly to the UK @bbcnews
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There used to be a #BBCSchoolsChannel to help children with their lessons. Perhaps because of the pandemic we need channels like these back again to help educate children who don’t have access to a laptop or broadband @GavinWilliamson @bbcpress #BBC #Teachers.
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On the 12th March last year I received my Damehood medal and still not had the chance to celebrate. It’s going to be quite a party when I do ❤️
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I was proud to oversee the creation of the National Windrush Monument as it was a way of acknowledging some of the wrongs but the government going back on the #Windrush Scandal recommendations is cruel and has created even more pain and hurt @RishiSunak
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Having the most fabulous birthday celebration at one of my favourite places @theritzlondon. The food was exquisite. So happy ❤️
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So very proud of you Clive, you are one of my #Playschool Babies who is making a difference by reporting harrowing events as they unfold❤️@CliveMyrieBBC.
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Sending virtual hugs full of love and comfort to you dearest Janey. You are an inspirational woman who has brought joy and laughter to the lives many. So thank you for making a difference ❤️.
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#HappyNewYear to everyone, here’s hoping for a peaceful and loving time ahead of us full of kindness, compassion and consideration to inspire the children of the world including all my wonderful #PlayschoolBabies ❤️
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Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hope 2025 brings peace, joy and happiness into your life. Sending virtual huge hugs and unconditional love to everyone to start off the year, especially to my #Playschool Babies ❤️
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It was great going back to @UniofExeter yesterday with my family to show them my statue created by Luke Shepherd. Our family motto is ‘Who would have thought’ ❤️ @LukePortrait
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I get such a joyful feeling in my heart just thinking about #Playschool and reading stories to my #PlayschoolBabies ❤️.
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I fought hard to stop #Playschool from being taken off the air in 1988 as I knew just how much it meant to children’s well-being as the programme showed each child unconditional love and a sense of belonging. It’s one battle I was devastated to have lost 💔.
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Happy Mother’s Day to mums everywhere especially those who are no longer here with us ❤️
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It’s sickening, worrying and disturbing to know that such harmful,disgraceful and dangerous language has been used against #DianaAbbott. It puts women of colour in danger and highlights the ingrained racism and misogynistic attitudes that exist in society
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Wish my mum and dad were still here to see me take part in the #Coronation. But I did find a white feather inside Buckingham Palace when I went to rehearsal the procession. So they are spiritually with me ❤️
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Had the most wonderful time celebrating my Order of Merit and Christmas at the @theritzlondon and was made to feel quite special with exquisite food and gorgeous cake ❤️🎄
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Beaming with happiness at receiving my @BAFTA Fellowship Award.Loved @CliveMyrieBBC presenting my award and Prince William’s affectionate message. Thank you @VictoriaCoren, Nikki Amuka-Bird and @Konnie_Huq for being part of my tribute.@KensingtonRoyal
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Today is my birthday and loving it! Yes I’m feeling good. Can’t stop smiling ❤️
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Thank you everyone for all the loving, affectionate and heartfelt birthday messages sent to me, especially those from my #Playschool Babies. They are locked up in my joyful heart. I simply can’t stop smiling ❤️
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What an historic unforgettable experience to have had being part of the #Coronation ❤️@EAnionwu @wabbey
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Hope you all have a merry time wherever you are. Sending festive virtual hugs full of joy❤️🎄❤️
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Life changing things happens to me every 10yrs.10=came to Britain .20=entered show business .30=became a mum.40=started my production company.50=started running marathons.60=elevated to House of Lords.70=floating in an ocean of affection.#DesertIslandDiscs.
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To be selected to carry the Sovereign's Sceptre With Dove in the #Coronation which represents spirituality, equity and mercy, is for me very symbolic as it's everything I stand for and sends out a clear message that diversity and inclusion is being embraced.
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My beautiful beloved mum would have been 98 today. She was an earth mother who showed unconditional love which gave me confidence. I know she’s always with me in spirit especially when I find a white feather ❤️
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Happy birthday dearest Derek. You inspired me to join #Playschool 46yrs ago. You are a creative genius and a joy to watch ❤️ @Classicbritcom.
Derek Griffiths is 76 today, Happy Birthday Derek 🎁🎂
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So wonderful to see Anita Dobson again after so many years. Adored performing with her as cackling witches on #PlayAway back in the 80’s @AnitaDobsonFC
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Her Majesty The Queen was an outstanding example of dedication to duty and commitment to her role as monarch. I have great lasting memories of meeting her over the decades. She was a woman of faith so I’m sure she was prepared. May she rest in peace #HerMajesty
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Had a great time celebrating #CommonwealthDay at Westminster Abbey with hundreds of children present @wabbey
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Had the most marvellous time at @Wimbledon in the #RoyalBox. It was my beloved mum’s aspiration for her daughter to be invited there. I have dedicated my visits there to her and hope I will be an inspiration for others to be in the Royal Box one day. ❤️
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I’ll be writing a letter to Lord Hall - Director General @BBC to express my dismay on this issue because all the #diversitynirvana work he has been trying to promote has been destroyed overnight
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My beautiful beloved mum would have been 97 today. She was my Guardian Angel and poured unconditional love into me. I often find white feathers to let me know she is still looking over me.❤️❤️❤️
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#TinaTurner was simply the best and I loved her spirit. She was a sensational rock powerhouse that shook the world with her amazing talent. The legacy of this inspirational figure will last forever. May she rest in peace ❤️
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I am dedicating this year’s #BlackHistoryMonth #SalutingOurSisters to my beloved mum who paved the way for her three daughters, encouraging us to aim for the sky and to #nevergiveup. I continually pass that message on to other women ❤️
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I’ve just had my #Covid19 vaccine and proudly wearing my ‘I’ve had the jab badge’ @ATMedics @omardin @drhasnainabbasi @NHSuk @WindrushGeneral ❤️
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My heart goes out to this beautiful courageous young girl’s family. She had a whole adventurous life ahead of her. I hope the tragic loss of #ElianneAndam’s life will bring about change. Let her not be forgotten.🙏🏿❤️
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Oh what wonderful memories of my Playschool Days loved every moment performing for my #Playschool Babies and still do! #BBC100 @BBCArchive.
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I’m feeling blessed on my 70th birthday with such a joyful, uplifting feeling in my heart and give thanks to be able to enjoy life ❤️🎶❤️
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My dad would have been 95 today. What a hero he was to his 6 children ❤️
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Had some disappointing news, then someone told me I was a role model & they’d nominated me for an award. Then while shopping a girl told me I made her feel loved when she watched me on #Playschool. Every disappointment is an appointment with something better.
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Wonderful nostalgic feeling seeing these iconic windows and remembering the intriguing way I used to reveal the window of the day ❤️.
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On the red carpet for the @BAFTA television awards. And being showered with love and affection
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What a joy it was today to share my #Windrush journey with Oxfordshire school governors. Many are my #Playschool Babies and are making a huge difference to children’s lives. They loved seeing Humpty again
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Every time I see @KamalaHarris my heart leaps with joy not only because she has made history by being the first woman #usvicepresident but she is an inspirational black woman who will inspire girls across the world to aim high ❤️
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Thanks for the loving,affectionate messages.For the last 50yrs I’ve pushed for diversity&inclusion,so you can’t imagine what it means to me for it to be one of the last wishes of the late Queen to have a diverse Order of Merit list. #NeverGiveUp #Smile ❤️.
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Floella Benjamin receives damehood at Buckingham Palace
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Lovely to meet up with two of my #Playschool Babies, Edward and Naomi, at the Windsor Castle Coronation Celebration ❤️
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Happy Mother’s Day. Sending love to all mum’s wherever you are ❤️💐
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When I was at school we celebrated Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Fry I didn’t dream that one day children would be celebrating me, thanks to my #Playschool Babies. Who would have thought. Sending virtual hugs @stannesstreetly.
Well done to our Year 1's who stood up in assembly to present their favourite facts about @FloellaBenjamin yesterday. An inspirational lady whose commitment to charity work and endless campaigns for more diversity media representation has improved the lives of other children.
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Heartfelt thank you to the thousands who have sent me birthday messages. I am swimming in an ocean of love and affection, so lucky. I feel the same towards all of you too, especially my #Playschool Babies who have been part of my life for last 44 yrs❤️.
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Had the most wonderful time at @Wimbledon today watching some amazing tennis. Just love being there ❤️
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Oh what an unbelievably sensational thing that happened to me last night. Thank you @BAFTA for blessing me this way with a Fellowship #BAFTATVAwards.
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What a powerful, emotional and inspirational acceptance speech by #ChadBoseman He is gone but his legacy will live on #changetheworld #BlackLivesMatter
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Festive Greetings, full of love, to all my #Playschool Babies. Hope you have a Cool Yule #Humpty sends loving greetings too ❤️
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I feel I’m one of the most loved people in the country and my #Playschool Babies spoil me every day showing me tons of affection ❤️
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This is my beautiful beloved mum a few months before she died 12 years today but I find a white feather almost every day to remind me she is still near. She was and always will be my true inspiration ❤️
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Today would have been my dad’s 97 birthday. He introduced me to the show business when I was 15 months, I owe so much to him. ❤️🥳❤️
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I get a real sense that things are changing cos so many are encouraging me to go for the Lord Speaker role in @UKHouseofLords to sit on the woolsack in a place where the fate of my ancestors was decided. Could be a #KamalaHarris moment. Who would have thought
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Don’t let the roots of bitterness take over your heart no matter what’s thrown at you. Maintain a joyful heart and stay positive #Keepsmiling it’s great for the spirit and your soul. Sending virtual hugs of comfort ❤️.
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Floella Benjamin on Dame Honour: ‘Absolutely incredible.’ I just can’t stop smiling my heart is fizzy with joy and excitement #childhoodlastsalifetime
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This is my beloved mum aged 75, today she would have been 95. She used to tell me she loved me every day and to always give and love unconditionally. 💐❤️
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What a powerful photo of two giants who have used their voices, intellect and fame to make change. Forever grateful for their inspiration #SidneyPoitier #RIP
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Oh I so loved appearing on #Playschool from 1976 to 1988. It was pure joy and created millions of my Playschool Babies @BBCArchive.
Play School made its debut on 21 April 1964, becoming the first programme transmitted on BBC Two. The popular children's programme continued until 1988, clocking up more than 5,000 episodes. Find out more about the show on the History of the BBC website:
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My beautiful mum here age 80. She would have been 93 today. She was my motivator and now whenever I need her I find a white feather ❤️
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