Blue Peter apologises over cat poll

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Huq held up Cookie, the children show's new kitten, who has now been given the original name viewers wanted for the pet.

Salmon stood next to her cradling Socks, the Blue Peter cat that viewers were asked to name originally in the poll.

Huq told viewers that Cookie was "a brand new kitten, only 13-weeks old, and we're all in love with him."

Salmon said: "You may have already seen or read in the news that Cookie was the name that actually should have been given."

The presenters said that instead of calling the animal Cookie, as viewers wanted, the production team changed the winning name to Socks.

Salmon told viewers: "So today we had to say sorry, and what better way to say sorry than with this cute thing."

The apology came in the first edition of the new series of the iconic BBC One show.

It followed Monday's announcement that acting editor Tim Levell has become the new editor of the programme.

The former editor, Richard Marson, was reportedly sacked over the poll. Mr Marson was also at the helm when Blue Peter was involved in its first and most serious deception, in which a child visiting the studio was asked to pose as a phone-in competition winner. The BBC was fined an unprecedented £50,000 by media watchdog Ofcom over the incident.