Children's TV favourite Johnny Ball has criticised the BBC’s decision to revive the iconic show Play School.
The 88-year-old, who appeared on the programme from 1967 to 1987, believes the reboot will not live up to its legacy.
The original series first aired in April 1964 and ran until September 1988, designed to bring nursery and playgroup experiences into the home for young viewers.
Mr Ball told the Daily Mail: "They say they are going to bring it back from April (next year).
"But I think they are going to mess it up."
He credited the programme’s long-running success to its late producer, Cynthia Felgate, who insisted on maintaining the show’s format across all international versions.
Mr Ball said: "The late producer was Cynthia Felgate, and she was the most wonderful person, and she was my boss for about 16 years, and there was nobody better.
"And she made that show so strong.
"You have got 17 countries around the world that made Play School, and if they changed it, she would go, 'Bang! No you don't.
"Keep to this.
"Don't do any other way.'
"And that is why it lasted so long."
The presenter also criticised the BBC’s decision to stop airing children’s programming in the afternoons, calling it a "tragedy."
Mr Ball said: "So today, kids who are seven and eight, they don't even know the channels, and if the kids don't know them then they don't watch children's television.
"So last year, Blue Peter went out and recorded zero viewers, which is so shocking."
He revealed that one of the production companies involved in the Play School revival had approached him to serve as an adviser.
Mr Ball also accused the BBC of ageism, claiming the broadcaster has sidelined older stars, including his daughter Zoe Ball, who left Radio 2 last December.
Speaking at The Dorchester Literary Festival on October 21 while promoting his autobiography, Stories That Must Be Told!, he said: "I did Play School for 17 years, I wrote nearly all of Play Away then I did Think of a Number and Think Again.
"I loved every minute of it.
"But what happens when you are 50 at the BBC?
"Gone!
"Zoe was 54.
"Gone!
"You cannot believe it because we gave so much to the BBC."
The BBC has defended the Play School reboot, describing it as a chance to introduce the show’s values to a new generation of viewers.
Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC children’s and education, said: "Play School has always embodied so much of what CBeebies stands for: creativity, curiosity, imagination and learning through play."
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