Video LoadingVideo UnavailableClick to playTap to playThe video will auto-play soon8CancelPlay nowGet daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeWhen he was just 12, Michael Sundin was already winning awards for his trampolining skills – something that would stand him in good stead a few years later, when he auditioned to become Blue Peter’s newest presenter in 1984. Michael had starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats in the early 1980s before he went on to play Tik-Tok in Disney’s film Return To Oz. While shooting the movie, he was interviewed by Blue Peter’s Janet Ellis for a segment on the show, and producers spotted his potential. Michael joined the celebrated children’s show alongside Janet and Simon Groom in 1984. It wasn’t long before Michael was filling celebrated presenter Peter Duncan’s shoes as the show’s daredevil star, often also reporting from film sets and even Elton John’s house. Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free But sadly, Michael remains one of Blue Peter’s less-remembered presenters as he soon left the show, reportedly when his contract wasn’t renewed after less than a year on Blue Peter. He then tragically died of an Aids-related illness, aged just 28, in 1989.
Blue Peter presenter and champion trampolinist Michael Sundin
(Image: Getty Images)
Read More
Related Articles
Strictly’s Graziano breaks silence over ‘abuse’ claims with four-word statement
Read More
Related Articles
Skechers’ ‘mega comfortable’ and ‘stylish’ trainers drop to £35 in sale
Described by his loved ones as a “blond, outgoing, gregarious ball of fun”, Michael had been outed in the media as gay during his short stint on Blue Peter. Although then-Editor Biddy Baxter said he left the show as he was unpopular with viewers, his exit was mired in controversy with many claiming it was because of his sexuality. In 2007, Biddy was confronted with these allegations for a TV show, but denied Michael was sacked over his sexuality, saying: “It was his leaving the programme because children didn’t like him – nothing to do with his sexual proclivities”.
Michael pictured with co-stars Janet Ellis and Simon Groom in 1984
(Image: Peter Brooker/REX/Shutterstock)
Michael with the infamous Blue Peter appeal totaliser
(Image: BBC)
After he left Blue Peter, Michael went on to appear in the 1987 film Lionheart, and went on theatre tours with Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and the musical Starlight Express. He even appeared as a dancer in Rick Astley’s 1988 video for his single She Wants To Dance With Me. That same year, he sadly became ill, and died in Newcastle General hospital in 1989, with it first being reported his cause of death was liver cancer. Blue Peter presenter Yvette Fielding issued a tribute to Michael on Blue Peter, alongside co-stars John Leslie and Caron Keating. She said: “We had one piece of very sad news during the summer. As many people may have heard, Michael Sundin – who presented Blue Peter five years ago – tragically died at the very young age of 28. Michael had been ill for a little while but the news of his death came as a great shock to all of us.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnBlueWhere Are They NowNostalgia
