At the tender age of 18, Yvette Fielding burst onto the television screens as the youngest presenter to ever grace the Blue Peter team, an achievement that has remained unchallenged to this day. However, beneath the surface of this achievement coursed an undercurrent of tribulation; Fielding has now revealed had nearly brought her illustrious career to a premature end.
Stepping away from the relative comfort of Stockport and into the bustling hubbub of London, Fielding left her family behind and embarked on a journey that would indubitably shape her career. However, the isolation and loneliness that characterized her initial days made her feel like an outsider amidst her older colleagues. “I was viewed as not just the youngest – but the most annoying of the young,” she recalled with an air of melancholy during her interview in the ‘Celebrity Catch-Up: Life After That Thing I Did’ podcast.
Though her role demanded a polished presence, Fielding found herself battling to stay afloat in an ocean devoid of guidance. Tears would often flow freely as her homesick heart yearned for familiar comforts. But arguably, the most challenging component of her Blue Peter tenure stemmed from the formidable Biddy Baxter, the notorious editor renowned for managing the show for a quarter of a century.
Baxter, according to Fielding, was the epitome of cruelty, perpetually launching criticisms that ate away at the young presenter’s confidence. A sense of torment engulfed Fielding as the onslaught of negativity built up, leaving her feeling defeated. “It was as if I was being chastised by a parental figure,” she confessed.
However, the trials didn’t end there. Fielding was forced to adhere to an unyielding curfew and was tormented by being forced to showcase her vulnerabilities, including her skin condition, vitiligo, for the world to see. These tribulations pushed her to resign from the show after a year, her spirit devastated by the relentless bullying she endured.
In an unexpected turn of events, Fielding decided to stay on, and with Baxter’s retirement, she found joy in her work once again. Her account of working under Baxter’s reign echoed the sentiments of several other former presenters.
Despite the turbulent past, Fielding asserts she harbors no resentment towards Baxter believing that it was these very trials that strengthened and prepared her for dealing with the harsh world of television. Fielding even acknowledged Baxter’s wisdom in having her share her battle with vitiligo, a move that garnered an influx of gratitude from children who were similarly affected.
Despite reach out, Baxter, now 90 yrs old, has not commented on Fielding’s allegations. When asked in a past interview if she was dictatorial at work, Baxter responded, “Is your editor dictatorial? It’s difficult to be an editor and not edit”.
Interestingly, Fielding’s journey led her to host popular shows such as ‘Most Haunted’ and ‘Ghosthunting’. She was also seen braving the wilds of the jungle in 2015’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’. Baxter, on the other hand, retires with the dubious honor of being remembered as an editor who drew both ire and admiration in equal measure.
