Peter Duncan

For my latest Project 161018 adventure, I headed up to Edinburgh. However the day ended not quite how I expected. I had booked to go and see Peter Duncan in his one man show The Dame, at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The piece is written by Peter's daughter Katie. It is both moving and funny and Peter gives a powerful performance. After the show it was lovely to meet both Peter and his daughter. Peter signed a couple of my Blue Peter Books. including book 19, which has an article about his showbiz family and for which Katie used as references for the play.

I wasn't due to catch the train back home until later in the evening, so after lunch I had a walk around the city and watched some of the street performers. Little did I know that Peter Duncan was not the only former Blue Peter presenter I was to meet that day, but more on that later.

Peter Duncan joined the Blue Peter team in September 1980, he is the only presenter to do two stints on the programme. September 1980 - June 1984 and September 1985 to November 1986.
Prior to joining Blue Peter, he had attended The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre and Arts. His early career included roles on stage, appearing as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island and 2 years at Sir Laurence Olivier's National Theatre. TV work includes roles on Space 1999, The Tomorrow People and King Cinder. Peter also had a famously brief role in the 1980 film version of Flash Gordon.

Upon joining Blue Peter, he soon became known as the new daredevil, with films for the programme including cleaning the face of Big Ben, Flying Trapeze and taking part in The Royal Marines Endurance Course. He also ran in the first ever London Marathon in a time of 3 hours, 11 minutes and 42 seconds. A time of which is still to be beaten by any Blue Peter presenter to run the race since. Peter was also the puppy walker for Guide Dog Prince.

Peter was a bit of a scruffy dresser and this led to a competition for viewers to design him an outfit. The winning design chosen by Peter was a very loud green and white checked suit, and he wore it on may occasions thereafter.

When Peter left Blue Peter for the first time, he went on to film his own series called Duncan Dares. Each programme focused on training for and then performing a daring act, including becoming a stuntman and tightrope walking.

Peter returned to Blue Peter in September 1985 and stayed for a further 15 months. He also filmed a further six Duncan Dares. He has often made guest appearances on the programme including in 2007 when he was awarded a Gold Blue Peter Badge. At this time he was Chef Scout and the award was given for inspiring young people for so long.

Peter returned to the stage in 1986, with roles in Barnum, Me and my girl and The Card. He is also a regular on the pantomime circuit . During 2015 and 2016 he played Wilbur Turnblad in the touting production of Hairspray. I went to see Peter in this production during its time in Manchester.

Peter has also taken part in Chanel Four's The Games and The BBC's Tumble, reaching the semi final.

Peter features in Blue Peter Books 18.19,20,21 and 23.

And who was the other former presenter I met in Edinburgh ? well I will tell you in the next blog post ............