Mark Curry

Mark Curry was the 3rd former Blue Peter presenter I met on a recent trip to London.
Mark presented the programme from September 1986 until June 1989. He was no stranger to Children's television when he joined the Blue Peter team, having presented Saturday morning tv during the Summer months for several years (Get Set for Summer, Get Set, The Get Set Picture Show) The format eventually became The Saturday Picture show, which Mark firstly presented with Maggie Philbin from Swap Shop and then with Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz.

Prior to Saturday morning TV Mark was a regular performer, on Yorkshire TV's Junior Showtime
during the early 1970's. He also played the lead role in ATV's comedy drama Sounding Brass and the part of Oscar the producer in the film version of Bugsy Malone.

Mark was also the presenter of the successful Children's history programme Treasure Houses.

When the time came to find a replacement for Simon Groom, who was leaving Blue Peter after eight years. Biddy Baxter the editor of Blue Peter wanted someone who was already well known to the programmes viewers and Mark was the perfect choice. At first he turned the job down, thinking that Blue Peter was not really him. After several discussions with Biddy and a chance meeting with former presenter Sarah Greene he did eventually accept.

Mark was not known for action films on Blue Peter, co presenter Caron Keating took on most of those challenges. Mark did however agree to be tied to the sails of a revolving windmill. He also swam the icy waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park and faced his fear of heights in film about climbing telegraph poles. Mark was in his element with anything that involved historical stories or song and dance routines. A particular highlight was the Christmas entertainment on the show before Christmas each year. Even after Mark had left Blue Peter, he often appeared on the Christmas programme.

Mark's co presenters included Janet Ellis and Peter Duncan, however the team of Mark along with Caron Keating and Yvette Fielding was a hugely popular one.

Mark features in Blue Peter Books 23, 24 and 25.

Since leaving the programme Mark's television work has include the quiz show Catchphrase, and a daily DIY show Change That. Mark also returned to acting with  a role in Last of the Summer wine on TV, theatre roles have included parts in The woman in black, Victor/ Victoria and a stage adaptation of All creatures great and small.

Mark is currently starring in the role of The Wizard in the West End production of Wicked.