Here are some old pals we made earlier!
THERE were no incontinent elephants nor sticky-back-plastic masterpieces to be seen – but six former Blue Peter presenters have sealed their reunion with a kiss.
Veteran Blue Peter hosts Mark Curry, Peter Duncan, Janet Ellis, Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves, and Tim Vincent were promoting a play they’ll be performing at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Once Seen On Blue Peter is a fictional take on life behind the scenes of the BBC children’s favourite which began in 1958.
Vincent, who also produces the play running in August, said: ‘It’s a very funny nostalgic insight into an iconic show but from the viewpoint of the presenters.’
1. MARK CURRY, 1986-1989
Curry, 56, worked on several BBC children’s TV series before being asked to join the Blue Peter team. His was the shortest stint of the six here. He also played the wizard in West End musical Wicked in 2016.
2. PETER DUNCAN, 1980-1984 AND 1985-1986
The 64-year-old was hit with scandal four years into his tenure when clips of him in a so-called soft porn film surfaced. In 1995 he was nominated for an Olivier award for his role in the musical The Card.
3. JANET ELLIS, 1983-1987
Miss Ellis, 62, was scouted while hosting another children’s show, Jigsaw. The mum of three left to have her second child, Jackson Ellis-Leach. Her eldest daughter is singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Miss Ellis published a novel, The Butcher’s Hook in 2016
4. VALERIE SINGLETON, 1962-1972
After a decade presenting the show in the 60s, actress and voice-over artist Miss Singleton, now 81, went on to present news and current affairs show Nationwide. But she continued as an occasional roving reporter on Blue Peter and spin-off Blue Peter Special Assignment until 1981.
5. PETER PURVES, 1967-1978
Peter Purves, 79, only intended his stint to be a six-month acting break, but stayed for 11 years – the longest to serve of all the six presenters here. He has also directed pantos and is an after-dinner speaker.
6. TIM VINCENT, 1993-1997
Welsh actor Vincent, 45, kept up his acting career during his four-year stint as a Blue Peter presenter, appearing in two series of BBC One drama Dangerfield. After he left the show, he presented The Clothes Show and Short Change for the BBC. Once Seen On Blue Peter is at the Assembly Ballroom, Edinburgh, from August 4 to 26