Peter Purves: 'I wish I'd not done Blue Peter'

TV host dreamed of acting success

- By Nicola Methven

VETERAN Blue Peter host Peter Purves says he regrets taking the job as presenter of the children’s TV show that made him famous — as he wanted to be a film star.

For 11 years, Purves was one of television’s most famous faces as he fronted the BBC favourite alongside John Noakes, Lesley Judd and Valerie Singleton.

But the 86-year-old now says: “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.”