What’s the world coming to?

When it was Richard and Judy, it was funny. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than watching two of the most smug, self-satisfied, sanctimonious people on television standing in front of a camera begging their viewers for forgiveness over the ITV quiz scandal.

And it kept being funny. Dancing on Ice may not be aired? Oh no, the 23 people who actually enjoy it will be gutted.

ITV Play is being taken off the air? What will insomniacs do now? Sales of Horlicks will probably rocket.

But today’s news was a body blow too many. Blue Peter’s name smeared?! Just what in the name of Val Singleton is going on?

Blue Peter, it seems, was at fault after asking viewers to call a premium rate competition line during a live programme to win a toy.
Due to a “technical failure”, a telephone caller was not selected (what kind of technical failure that was is anybody’s guess). Instead a member of staff asked a child who was visiting the studio to phone in and give their answer. That child was then awarded the prize.

It’s like finding out there’s no Father Christmas (there is kids, don’t worry about that).

What next, Ellie reveals the cute animal stories on Newsround are really just the camera crew’s pets? Nobody in Byker Grove is from Newcastle and they’re all Rada trained “Ac-tors daaahling”!?!

We can only hope Blue Peter moves as quickly to put an end to this as it did when it was revealed the coveted badges were up for sale on eBay. I always wanted a badge. Maybe highlighting the phone-in scam here has finally blown my chances.

Never mind presenters taking drugs, unmarried mothers and the like. THIS is the real scandal!