Lorraine Heggessey tells viewers "Richard has not only let himself and the team down but also let all of you down"

Lorraine Heggessey announced before the programme why she had to sack Bacon after he admitted taking cocaine during a drink and dugs binge.

The 22-year-old has since apologised after the BBC decided to terminate his contract following revelations that he ended a 12-hour drinking session by taking the drug.

He is the first Blue Peter presenter to be fired for taking drugs.

Children's news show Newsround also carried a short report about his sacking on Monday.

Monday's edition of Blue Peter was a pre-recorded programme, following presenter Stuart Miles in Uganda.

Bacon has recorded no items for use in future shows and will not be appearing on Blue Peter again.

Meanwhile, the shamed presenter has apologised and vowed to rebuild his career.

'I'm not Jack The Ripper'

40 years young: The show celebrated its anniversary last week

He told the Yorkshire Post: "Where I stand is that I've done this, I am sorry, but it's really nothing to do with being a children's presenter.

"I'm not Jack The Ripper. There'll be a lot more talk in the press this week, but I want to lie low for a while and then rebuild my career in adult television."

The scandal broke as the programme, which celebrated 40 years on the air on Friday, won a special award for "outstanding contribution to children's television" at the third annual British Academy Children's Awards on Sunday night.

Presenters Katy Hill and Stuart Miles refused to comment on their ex-colleague as they arrived at the awards ceremony at Thorpe Park, Surrey.

'My name is not mud at the BBC'

Bacon insisted the scandal did not affect his future with the BBC.

"My name is not mud at the BBC and that is a fact. None of them wanted to get rid of me but it's what had to happen. A lot of them wanted to stick by me, but even I said it would be better if I left.

"I might go back in the future but I'll probably go somewhere else to start with and having worked there for a while, with the passage of time I might be able to go back to the BBC in an adult capacity," he said.

'Worst day' of his father's life

His father Paul said: "It's a terrible time. It is probably the worst day of my life, and the worst day of Richard's life.

"We are trying to cope with it."

He added Richard's two sisters had been forced to come home to Nottinghamshire from university to escape the publicity.