Blue Peter in fake 'viewers' scandal

Blue Peter have admitted to another fakery scandal after it was revealed two child actors posed as "viewers" on the show.

Fans of the show were asked to apply through a website for the chance to interview Dead Ringers star Jon Culshaw on the programme in September 2005.

But two of the six participants were provided by a local drama group.

A 13-year-old boy who appeared on the BBC1 show uncovered the deception after he revealed to a newspaper: "Two of them said 'We're from an agency and we've not thought of a question yet'."

A BBC spokesman said: "Blue Peter organised a light-hearted item in which children got to meet Jon Culshaw and ask him questions which he would answer with an impersonation.

"Of the six children who appeared, four had contacted the programme through the website and two were invited to join them from a drama group.

"The children were all asked to prepare their own questions. None of the children was paid, the item in question was not a competition and no prizes were offered or awarded."

It is the third time the popular children's show has been embroiled in faking parts of its programme.

In the other instances of viewer deception, the results of a competition to name the show's cat was changed and a girl visiting the studio was made to pose as a competition winner.

An internal probe was launched last year to investigate the incidents but the latest scandal was not uncovered.

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