I wished I'd never gone to Blue Peter... I was an actor, I thought I'd be a film star

Peter Purves on presenting and Doctor Who

- NICOLA METHVEN

BLUE Peter legend Peter Purves says presenting the children's show is actually his biggest regret.

The teatime children's TV role, which he had for 11 years, made him one of the BBC's best-known faces and the period is regarded as the golden era of Blue Peter.

It also offered fun jobs like going up the Forth Bridge and looking after the show's pets.

But Purves, now 86, said: "Deep down, I wish I'd not done Blue Peter. I wish I had been more successful as an actor. But I could not get the work.

"So I took the presenting jobs that came my way. I know it might sound silly but I fancied myself as a leading man.

"I hoped I was going to be a film star. That was my ambition."