In early 2016, Harwood took a break from "Blue Peter"; he returned later that year. It was announced in August 2017 during the show's summer break that Harwood would leave the show after six and half years and his final show aired on 14 September 2017 where Harwood would move on from "Blue Peter" and "onto new adventures". Harwood announced during his last Blue Peter episode that after 16 years working with CBBC, he would also leave the channel. On his last show he was awarded a Blue Peter Gold Badge, the highest accolade, for his work on the programme. When awarded by co-presenter Chingyanganya, he was described as being "at the very top of the list".