Blue Peter Presenters – And The Controversies They Provoked - TV Programmes

adam_fransella · 17-07-2006, 12:02

When, in 1998, Richard Bacon was sacked from Blue Peter, after he admitted to taking cocaine, it was a huge embarrassment for the programme, and the BBC. But the reason behind his firing was not the first scandal to hit the programme, or be associated with any former presenter, as this list will prove…

DURING BLUE PETER:

Christopher Trace (Presenter 1958-67): "Blue Peter"’s first ever presenter, who coined the immortal phrase ‘Here’s one I made earlier’, caused a stir when he gave young viewers the recipe for what turned out to be alcoholic ginger beer.

Peter Duncan (Presenter 1980-84 and 1985-86): shortly after he joined, a tabloid newspaper revealed that he had previously performed nude sex scenes in the 1975 adult thriller film "The Lifetaker", and gave him the nickname ‘Blue Peter’. He was also criticized by viewers for wearing scruffy jeans and sweatshirts, and alarmed parents when he admitted to washing the windows of Big Ben, on a ledge, without a safety harness.

Janet Ellis (Presenter 1983-87): she caused an outcry when it was revealed that she had divorced her first husband, and become pregnant by another man, whom she had not yet married; contrary to popular belief, it was entirely her decision to leave the programme, and the baby did not grow up to be Sophie Ellis Bextor.

Michael Sundin (Presenter 1984-85): the former trampolining champion was forced to leave the programme after only nine months, as the editors and production team felt that he had little rapport with the viewers, and many children and parents had complained about his effeminacy; he was very unhappy with this decision, and made his feelings known in the tabloid press. Not long after his departure, the "Daily Mirror" printed photographs of him, dancing in his underwear in a London nightclub, which led to the tabloids reporting various details about his homosexual lifestyle. He died in 1989 of an AIDS-related illness, at the tragically young age of 28.

Mark Curry (Presenter 1986-89): he horrified viewers when, on a Summer Expedition to Russia, he was filmed emerging from a mud bath, and his bare backside was seen; "The Sun" newspaper reacted with the slogan ‘Very Blue Peter’.

Stuart Miles (Presenter 1994-99): he chose to leave the programme when he felt it was ‘out of touch’ with the then-current generation of children, and that it should switch from being about pet dogs and models made from toilet rolls, to concentrating on subjects like divorce, eating disorders, bullying, and drugs. He was also unhappy with the way the firing of his colleague Richard Bacon had been handled by the BBC (see below), and had applied for a job as the new editor of the programme, only to be turned down.

Richard Bacon (Presenter 1997-98): shortly before "Blue Peter" was to celebrate its fortieth anniversary, allegations were made in the "News Of The World" that he had taken cocaine in a night-club; when Bacon admitted these were true, he was fired, and the then Head of Children’s BBC, Lorraine Hegessey, made an on-air apology on his behalf.
Ironically, the scandal boosted his career, and he remains much in demand as a broadcaster, to this day.

AFTER BLUE PETER:

John Noakes (Presenter 1965-78): in 1999, he attacked the programme that made him famous, revealing that he hated his job, his television personality as a daredevil was a fake and in fact an acting role, and wished he had never been involved with "Blue Peter". When he rejoined old colleagues Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves, in January 2000, to dig up the time capsule they buried in 1971, Noakes appeared without much enthusiasm.

Sarah Greene (Presenter 1980-83): in 1992, she and her husband Mike Smith took part in "Ghost-watch", BBC1’s spoof investigation into the paranormal; the BBC switchboard was jammed with calls, when it appeared than Greene had been killed, but this was in fact a hoax.

John Leslie (Presenter 1989-94): in 2002, he was sacked from his presenting job on ITV’s "This Morning", after he was charged with sexually assaulting several women; although he was cleared of all charges the following year, he has yet to resume his television career.

Anthea Turner (Presenter 1992-94): in 1998, her private life was made a tabloid staple when she left her husband for video millionaire Grant Bovey, whose then-wife publicly tried to win him back in a press campaign. When they eventually married in 2000, there was more bad publicity when a photograph of the couple eating a chocolate bar appeared in "OK!" magazine, and it was alleged that Cadbury’s had paid them to promote it, and also sponsored part of the reception, although both rumours turned out to be false. Her autobiography "Fools Rush In" (2000) sold poorly, and her television career declined dramatically. In 2006, she made a comeback on BBC Three, with "Anthea Turner: Perfect Housewife".

Markjuk · 17-07-2006, 12:52

I remember Janet Ellis on BP is also worth noting that Janice Long suffered the same fate on TOTP, she was forced to leave after having a baby whilst not married (big controversy back in the 1980's.) Hence why she left so soon in 1988.

SecretLifeoBees · 17-07-2006, 13:37

I remember there being a song and dance made when Anthea made a comment about Tim Vincent. Bonnie, the dog was sat between his legs and Anthea commented on air "There's Bonnie, sat between Tim's legs. What a nice place to be Bonnie" Lololol.

The Prumeister · 17-07-2006, 16:48

I thought Michael Sundin died of leukiema?

purplecat · 17-07-2006, 17:23

Have a look at this report, Liz Barker is in trouble for parking in a disabled bay

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

adam_fransella · 17-07-2006, 18:00

An accident, but very unfortunate, coming just three months after she left "Blue Peter" - and while she has an 18-month old baby to look after!

adam_fransella · 17-07-2006, 18:04

...did die of an AIDS-related leukemia, but because of intense prejudice surrounding AIDS victims in those days, the 'papers said Sundin died of liver cancer, as his parents requested they cover up the truth.

The Prumeister · 17-07-2006, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam_fransella

...did die of an AIDS-related leukemia, but because of intense prejudice surrounding AIDS victims in those days, the 'papers said Sundin died of liver cancer, as his parents requested they cover up the truth.

Thanks for clarifying that

Captain Stable · 17-07-2006, 21:42

I think in any situation where you have a group of people, that over time a small pertentage of them are going to have incidents in their lives.

Is there a curse on Dad's Army? I think only 2 of them are left. Oh, and Dr. Who. They all died in order so far!!!!!

mikebuk · 17-07-2006, 22:32

Jones, the ARP Warden, the Vicar and Pike are all still with us.
Wendy Richard appeared in the show but she was not a regular character.

kingoftv · 17-07-2006, 22:41

Did anyone see the curse of blue peter either channel4/5 either last year or year before?

Pacha67 · 18-07-2006, 07:25

[quote=Captain Stable]Is there a curse on Dad's Army? I think only 2 of them are left.QUOTE]

Come on!! Most of the cast were knocking on a bit when it was made....it's not too surprising that 30odd years later a fair number of them are no more...

cobaltmale · 18-07-2006, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Stable

Oh, and Dr. Who. They all died in order so far!!!!!

Which was not in age order, strangely.

G

Frood · 18-07-2006, 08:11

Sylvester McCoy died several times

The best comment ever on Blue Peter HAD to be Simon Groome after the piece on two pieces of antique door furniture.

"What a marvellous pair of knockers..."

And the camera starting to shake ever so slightly a few seconds later.

MadgeBishop · 18-07-2006, 08:17

I used to love Janet Ellis. And Yvette Fielding!

SecretLifeoBees · 18-07-2006, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frood

Sylvester McCoy died several times

The best comment ever on Blue Peter HAD to be Simon Groome after the piece on two pieces of antique door furniture.

"What a marvellous pair of knockers..."

And the camera starting to shake ever so slightly a few seconds later.

*snorts in amusement*

I've seen that clip on one of those out-take type shows a few times along with the one where Janet Ellis was on about someone wrecking the Blue Peter garden. My first memories of Blue Peter are from when Janet Ellis, Peter Duncan and Simon Groom presented. Didn't Janet fracture her pelvis or something after doing a parachute jump? I was really sorry when she left.

greencat · 18-07-2006, 17:05

Simon Groom was arrested during the Blue Peter expedition to Japan after kidnapping a large inflatable doll made to look like a waiter. During the same trip he was interviewed by Playboy magazine. (He claimed he didn't know what the magazine was about).
(Source: http://www.thevervoid.com/spoon/bppresenters.htm)

But apparantly he is now the UK’s wealthiest self employed farmer. He has a personal wealth of over £75million
(Source: The Sunday Times Rich List - 1998)

adam_fransella · 18-07-2006, 17:27

http://www.thevervoid.com/spoon/bppresenters.htm

Isn't it ironic that Christopher Trace and Simon Groom got to keet their jobs on BP, even after they'd been caught drinking too much, and the latter should be granted an interview for the job (which he got) after recovering, half-asleep, from a hard night's DJ-ing in an atmosphere of drugs and music...but Richard Bacon got sacked after taking cocaine in a night-club, when the cameras weren't watching?

Or how about (as revealed on BBC2's "Blue Peter Night", in 1998) the fact that the non-squeaky clean Gallagher brothers from Oasis were rewarded with BP badges for drawings they'd submitted to the programme, which were too indecent to be shown to viewers?!

A Mad Hatter · 18-07-2006, 19:14

Interesting post, I enjoyed reading that.

17-07-2006, 12:02	#1
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	Blue Peter Presenters – And The Controversies They Provoked When, in 1998, Richard Bacon was sacked from Blue Peter, after he admitted to taking cocaine, it was a huge embarrassment for the programme, and the BBC. But the reason behind his firing was not the first scandal to hit the programme, or be associated with any former presenter, as this list will prove… DURING BLUE PETER: Christopher Trace (Presenter 1958-67): "Blue Peter"’s first ever presenter, who coined the immortal phrase ‘Here’s one I made earlier’, caused a stir when he gave young viewers the recipe for what turned out to be alcoholic ginger beer. Peter Duncan (Presenter 1980-84 and 1985-86): shortly after he joined, a tabloid newspaper revealed that he had previously performed nude sex scenes in the 1975 adult thriller film "The Lifetaker", and gave him the nickname ‘Blue Peter’. He was also criticized by viewers for wearing scruffy jeans and sweatshirts, and alarmed parents when he admitted to washing the windows of Big Ben, on a ledge, without a safety harness. Janet Ellis (Presenter 1983-87): she caused an outcry when it was revealed that she had divorced her first husband, and become pregnant by another man, whom she had not yet married; contrary to popular belief, it was entirely her decision to leave the programme, and the baby did not grow up to be Sophie Ellis Bextor. Michael Sundin (Presenter 1984-85): the former trampolining champion was forced to leave the programme after only nine months, as the editors and production team felt that he had little rapport with the viewers, and many children and parents had complained about his effeminacy; he was very unhappy with this decision, and made his feelings known in the tabloid press. Not long after his departure, the "Daily Mirror" printed photographs of him, dancing in his underwear in a London nightclub, which led to the tabloids reporting various details about his homosexual lifestyle. He died in 1989 of an AIDS-related illness, at the tragically young age of 28. Mark Curry (Presenter 1986-89): he horrified viewers when, on a Summer Expedition to Russia, he was filmed emerging from a mud bath, and his bare backside was seen; "The Sun" newspaper reacted with the slogan ‘Very Blue Peter’. Stuart Miles (Presenter 1994-99): he chose to leave the programme when he felt it was ‘out of touch’ with the then-current generation of children, and that it should switch from being about pet dogs and models made from toilet rolls, to concentrating on subjects like divorce, eating disorders, bullying, and drugs. He was also unhappy with the way the firing of his colleague Richard Bacon had been handled by the BBC (see below), and had applied for a job as the new editor of the programme, only to be turned down. Richard Bacon (Presenter 1997-98): shortly before "Blue Peter" was to celebrate its fortieth anniversary, allegations were made in the "News Of The World" that he had taken cocaine in a night-club; when Bacon admitted these were true, he was fired, and the then Head of Children’s BBC, Lorraine Hegessey, made an on-air apology on his behalf. Ironically, the scandal boosted his career, and he remains much in demand as a broadcaster, to this day. AFTER BLUE PETER: John Noakes (Presenter 1965-78): in 1999, he attacked the programme that made him famous, revealing that he hated his job, his television personality as a daredevil was a fake and in fact an acting role, and wished he had never been involved with "Blue Peter". When he rejoined old colleagues Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves, in January 2000, to dig up the time capsule they buried in 1971, Noakes appeared without much enthusiasm. Sarah Greene (Presenter 1980-83): in 1992, she and her husband Mike Smith took part in "Ghost-watch", BBC1’s spoof investigation into the paranormal; the BBC switchboard was jammed with calls, when it appeared than Greene had been killed, but this was in fact a hoax. John Leslie (Presenter 1989-94): in 2002, he was sacked from his presenting job on ITV’s "This Morning", after he was charged with sexually assaulting several women; although he was cleared of all charges the following year, he has yet to resume his television career. Anthea Turner (Presenter 1992-94): in 1998, her private life was made a tabloid staple when she left her husband for video millionaire Grant Bovey, whose then-wife publicly tried to win him back in a press campaign. When they eventually married in 2000, there was more bad publicity when a photograph of the couple eating a chocolate bar appeared in "OK!" magazine, and it was alleged that Cadbury’s had paid them to promote it, and also sponsored part of the reception, although both rumours turned out to be false. Her autobiography "Fools Rush In" (2000) sold poorly, and her television career declined dramatically. In 2006, she made a comeback on BBC Three, with "Anthea Turner: Perfect Housewife".

17-07-2006, 18:00	#6
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	Liz Barker in trouble An accident, but very unfortunate, coming just three months after she left "Blue Peter" - and while she has an 18-month old baby to look after!

17-07-2006, 18:04	#7
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	Michael Sundin, the forgotten "Blue Peter" presenter... ...did die of an AIDS-related leukemia, but because of intense prejudice surrounding AIDS victims in those days, the 'papers said Sundin died of liver cancer, as his parents requested they cover up the truth.

18-07-2006, 17:27	#18
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	"Blue Peter Unauthorised", the unpublished book http://www.thevervoid.com/spoon/bppresenters.htm Isn't it ironic that Christopher Trace and Simon Groom got to keet their jobs on BP, even after they'd been caught drinking too much, and the latter should be granted an interview for the job (which he got) after recovering, half-asleep, from a hard night's DJ-ing in an atmosphere of drugs and music...but Richard Bacon got sacked after taking cocaine in a night-club, when the cameras weren't watching? Or how about (as revealed on BBC2's "Blue Peter Night", in 1998) the fact that the non-squeaky clean Gallagher brothers from Oasis were rewarded with BP badges for drawings they'd submitted to the programme, which were too indecent to be shown to viewers?!

17-07-2006, 12:52	#2
Markjuk Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,469	I remember Janet Ellis on BP is also worth noting that Janice Long suffered the same fate on TOTP, she was forced to leave after having a baby whilst not married (big controversy back in the 1980's.) Hence why she left so soon in 1988.

17-07-2006, 13:37	#3
SecretLifeoBees Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Gender: Female Location: Dorothy Fish Common Room Services: Showing every single one of them the back of my head! Posts: 14,379 Blog Entries: 7	I remember there being a song and dance made when Anthea made a comment about Tim Vincent. Bonnie, the dog was sat between his legs and Anthea commented on air "There's Bonnie, sat between Tim's legs. What a nice place to be Bonnie" Lololol.

17-07-2006, 16:48	#4
The Prumeister Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oxford Services: Sky+,NTL Broadband Posts: 11,966	I thought Michael Sundin died of leukiema?

17-07-2006, 17:23	#5
purplecat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: milton keynes Posts: 1,597	Have a look at this report, Liz Barker is in trouble for parking in a disabled bay http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

17-07-2006, 21:42	#9
Captain Stable Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Services: <o>, Freeview, Sky, Broadband Posts: 1,068	I think in any situation where you have a group of people, that over time a small pertentage of them are going to have incidents in their lives. Is there a curse on Dad's Army? I think only 2 of them are left. Oh, and Dr. Who. They all died in order so far!!!!!

17-07-2006, 22:32	#10
mikebuk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Blackpool, England Services: Sky+HD, Freeview, Virgin Media Broadband Posts: 2,250	Jones, the ARP Warden, the Vicar and Pike are all still with us. Wendy Richard appeared in the show but she was not a regular character.

17-07-2006, 22:41	#11
kingoftv Banned User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Services: Freeveiw Posts: 3,583	Did anyone see the curse of blue peter either channel4/5 either last year or year before?

18-07-2006, 07:25	#12
Pacha67 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Livingston Posts: 561	[quote=Captain Stable]Is there a curse on Dad's Army? I think only 2 of them are left.QUOTE] Come on!! Most of the cast were knocking on a bit when it was made....it's not too surprising that 30odd years later a fair number of them are no more...

18-07-2006, 08:11	#14
Frood Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,312	Sylvester McCoy died several times The best comment ever on Blue Peter HAD to be Simon Groome after the piece on two pieces of antique door furniture. "What a marvellous pair of knockers..." And the camera starting to shake ever so slightly a few seconds later.

18-07-2006, 08:17	#15
MadgeBishop Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boredom, Cardiff Services: MacOSX Posts: 5,610	I used to love Janet Ellis. And Yvette Fielding!

18-07-2006, 17:05	#17
greencat Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 179	Simon Groom was arrested during the Blue Peter expedition to Japan after kidnapping a large inflatable doll made to look like a waiter. During the same trip he was interviewed by Playboy magazine. (He claimed he didn't know what the magazine was about). (Source: http://www.thevervoid.com/spoon/bppresenters.htm) But apparantly he is now the UK’s wealthiest self employed farmer. He has a personal wealth of over £75million (Source: The Sunday Times Rich List - 1998)

18-07-2006, 19:14	#19
A Mad Hatter Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: On the sofa Posts: 2,610	Interesting post, I enjoyed reading that.