Blue Peter: Barney Harwood Answers Your Questions

7th November 2011

The ACTUAL Barney Harwood of Blue Peter fame popped by CBBC HQ to answer some of your questions from the Messageboards on pranks, emus, being naughty at school, and what it's really like having the same name as a certain dog...

Do you enjoy working on Blue Peter and is it fun going to different places and doing different things? - BlushDivaElf

Barney: The best thing about Blue Peter is exactly that - every day is different. I have met the Queen, performed at a ballet, and I survived on a deserted island with no food or water. It think it's best to say Blue Peter is the best job in the world.


My question to Barney is: Do you ever get confused when someone says your name when they mean Barney the dog? Hope you dont find this question confusing - AgateRainbowPeach


Barney: This confusion caused massive problems when I first started the job 'cos Barney was already here. I heard someone say on the set in the background that I was going to go dig up a bone in the back garden - I think they meant the other Barney! 

What is your most memorable moment on set and why? - ScarletCalmPanda


Barney: Most memorable moment would have to be the first day of this series in Manchester cause I got to ride a jet ski down Salford Quays. It was as fast as as Ferrari and by the time i got off it I had spikey hair!

Hi Barney! I am Alessia and my question is: Who would you have as a guest star next on Blue Peter and why? I hope you had a great birthday and that it was made even better by being on Blue Peter! - IvoryRainbowDriver

Barney: Hi Alessia, thanks for your birthday message, you're lovely. I would love to perform with Adele I think she has the best voice and I think I play the best instrument - we could perform together!


Hi Barney, I can't believe I am actually writing to you ! My question is : what was the naughtiest thing you did at school ? - WhitePoshGadget


Barney: I can't believe I'm replying to you!! The naughtiest thing I did at school was set the fire alarm off and the whole school was evacuated to the playground. In my defence it was a strange place to put a red light switch!


Hi Barney, my question is how did you feel when Hacker wanted to ban you from the CBBC office? - TopazPuffyLily

Barney: I’ve known Hacker since he was a puppy and in all the time I have been aware of his ambition. I never thought it would get to the stage he would try and boot me off the telly for a few more biscuits. I am disappointed in him and I have written a strongly worded letter to his owners, the BBC – which for Hacker’s information stands for Barney Broadcasting Corporation!

Hey Barney, My question is this, which of these do you find the most interesting? a. A rainbow coloured pot of jam b. A flying emu - PinkWavyMandarin


Barney: I would ask a question back: is the Emu in a plane or is he using his own wings? I would find that interesting as emus have poor eyesight and don’t have licenses to fly in the UK. Although, I have never tried rainbow jam before! When it’s all gone do you find a pot of gold at the bottom?

Hi Barney, do you like your new studio on blue peter or do you prefer the old one? Thanks I am a big fan - VioletOcarinaRhino

Barney: Hi Violet, just exactly how big are you? Are you 7 foot tall? You definitely are my biggest fan! I have been at the BBC for 10 years and I spent the majority of it at Television Centre. So it’s a bit like moving home. I love the new studios but I miss my old friends. But I am making lots of new ones which is cool. P.S. Actually I think I have another fan in Scunthorpe who is 9ft tall!

Hi Barney, If you were to have a week on a deserted island what 3 items would you bring along? -GarnetMiniVulture

Barney: First item: Boat. Second item: Captain to steer the ship. Third item: Sat nav to find my way back home!

Hey Barney, my question is have you ever pulled a prank on any one at Blue Peter?? - BerylChocolateTimelord

Barney: Yes – we were filming Summer Sports Stars and the camera guy named Jamie had a smaller version of the camera I own. There’s a system on it where you press a button and the lens comes off. When he was standing next to me and turned around I unhooked his lens and when he turned around to try and take pic all he saw was a white background and me holding the lens!

Thank you very much to everyone who came online tonight. Sorry I didn’t get to answer all your questions but hey it’s my birthday so everyone come back to mine for a party. I’ve got sausage rolls and everything and I think Nev is rustling up some pumpkins!

Thanks for all your questions everyone! Do keep an eye on the CBBC messageboards for details of our next exciting webchat...