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{{Short description|English actor & TVand presenter (born 1954)}}
{{other people|Peter Duncan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
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| birth_name = <!-- Peter Gale, but see Talk -->
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1954|5|3}}
| birth_place = [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], [[London]], England
| death_place =
| other_names =
| years_active = 1970-present
| alma_mater = [[Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts]]
| spouse = Annie Francis
| website = {{url|www.pantoonline.co.uk}}
}}
'''Peter Duncan''' (born 3 May 1954, in [[Chelsea, London]]){{citation needed|date=October 2019}} is an English actor and [[television presenter]]. He was a presenter of ''[[Blue Peter]]'' in the 1980s, and made a series of family travel documentaries between 1999 and 2005. InHe 2020 hedirected, produced and appearedperformed in ''[[Jack and the Beanstalk]]'' which received a national cinema release in the UK in 2020.
 
==Early life, family and education==
==Education==
{{expand-section|date= March 2022}}
Duncan was a student at the [[Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lesley-manville-peter-duncan-being-with-him-and-his-family-feels-like-a-safe-haven-im-happy-soaking-9954117.html|title = Lesley Manville & Peter Duncan: 'Being with him and his family feels|date = 2 January 2015}}</ref> an independent stage school in London.▼
Duncan was born in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], [[London]].{{cn|date= March 2022}}
Until reaching school-leaving age, Peter completed his secondary education at Hawes Down School for Boys at
West Wickham in the London Borough of Bromley. He also studied with the Open University.
 
▲DuncanHe was a student at the [[Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts]],<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lesley-manville-peter-duncan-being-with-him-and-his-family-feels-like-a-safe-haven-im-happy-soaking-9954117.html|title = Lesley Manville & Peter Duncan: 'Being with him and his family feels| website = [[Independent.co.uk]] |date = 2 January 2015}}</ref> an independent stage school in London. Duncan completed his secondary education at Hawes Down School for Boys at West Wickham, Bromley, London. He also studied with the [[Open University]].
==Early career==▼
 
▲==Early career==
Duncan's early career was as a stage actor, appearing as Jim Hawkins in ''[[Treasure Island]]'' followed by two years at Sir [[Laurence Olivier]]'s [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]]. His notable television roles include work on ''[[The Tomorrow People]]'', ''[[Space: 1999]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.entertainment-focus.com/tv-section/tv-reviews/space-1999-the-complete-second-series-blu-ray-review/ |title= Space: 1999 – the Complete Second Series Blu-ray review| website= entertainment-focus.com| date= 10 October 2015| publisher= | access-date= }}</ref> ''[[King Cinder]]'',<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lesley-manville-peter-duncan-being-with-him-and-his-family-feels-like-a-safe-haven-im-happy-soaking-9954117.html|title = Lesley Manville & Peter Duncan: 'Being with him and his family feels|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 2 January 2015}}</ref> ''[[Play for Today]]'', ''[[Warship (1973 TV series)|Warship]]'', ''Oranges & Lemons'', and season 2 of ''[[Survivors (1975 TV series)|Survivors]]''. In films, he appeared as Francois in the sex comedy ''[[On the Game]]'' (1974), the guitarist Kevin in ''[[Stardust (1974 film)|Stardust]]'' (1974), Kit Nubbles in ''[[Mister Quilp]]'' (1975), the luckless Richard in ''[[The Lifetaker]]'' (1976), and in a brief role in the film ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]'' (1980), with his character dying after a few minutes on screen. Duncan starred in an episode of the children's television programme ''Storybook International'' as a young master in the tale of 'Cap O Rushes'.
Peter starred in an episode of the children's television programme ''Storybook International'' as a young master in the tale of 'Cap O Rushes'.
 
Duncan played leading roles in the BBC's ''King Cinder'' for the BBC as Kerry, and as Jimmy Carter in the 1977-19781977–1978 [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] children's television series ''[[The Flockton Flyer]]''.
 
==''Blue Peter''==
He joined ''[[Blue Peter]]'' in 1980, and shortly afterwards it was revealed in a tabloid newspaper that Duncan had appeared nude in the [[Michael Papas]] [[psychological thriller]] film ''[[Michael Papas#The Lifetaker (1975)|The Lifetaker]]''. In ''The Times''<ref>[{{cite news| url= http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4943149.ece |title= 50 years of Blue Peter| website= [[The Times]]| publisher= | date= | first= | last= | access-date= }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> the BBC denied that he was ever a porn star. As late as 2007, the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' was still mis-describing the film as a "skin flick".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/blue-peter-the-dark-side-459011|title = Blue Peter: The Dark Side|website = [[Daily Mirror]] |date = 16 March 2007 | via= mirror.co.uk}}</ref>
 
He ran in the first London Marathon in 1981<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/bluePeter/clips.asp|title=Peter Duncan runs the first London Marathon| website= nationalmediamuseum.org.uk| publisher= National Media Museum |access-date=19 November 2008}}</ref> (in 3 hours and 10 minutes) and ran again in the 1991, 2001 and 2012 events. He iswas pencilled in to runscheduled on Oct3 3rdOctober 2021 to run for the final time.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-duncan|title=Peter's page| website= JustGiving.com| publisher= | date= | access-date= }}</ref>
 
Unusually, Duncan had two periods with ''Blue Peter'', being on the team from 1980 to 1984, and again from 1985 to 1986. During his stay with the programmeprogram me, he became associated with the kind of daredevil stunts previously popularised by [[John Noakes]], and these continued in his own spin-off series, ''[[Duncan Dares]]''. One of his most remembered such stunts occurred in 1980 when the ''Blue Peter'' crew put him out on a rope swing to clean the face of Clock Tower ([[Big Ben]]) without a [[safety harness]], thus creating much trouble for the BBC. It is documented in [[Richard Marson]]'s book ''Blue Peter 50th Anniversary''.
 
On 20 February 2007 Duncan was awarded the highest Blue Peter Award - The Gold Badge. This badge was awarded in his role as Chiefthe [[Scout ofAssociation]]'s theChief UKScout.
 
==Return to the stage==
After leaving ''Blue Peter'' permanently in 1986, he returned to the stage, most notably in Mike Stott's ''Funny Peculiar'' and in the musicals ''[[Barnum (musical)|Barnum]]'', ''[[Me and My Girl (TV series)|Me and My Girl]]'' and ''[[The Card]]'' for which he was nominated for an [[Olivier Award]] for Best Actor in a Musical. In the 1990s he appeared in numerous [[pantomime]]s, some of which he also produced through his company Here's One I Made Earlier, including ''Robin Hood'' at the Lewisham (now Broadway) Theatre in South East London. He wrote and directed the Oxford Playhouse pantomime from 2006 to 2013 <ref>{{cite web|title=Oxford Playhouse {{!}} About Us| website= oxfordplayhouse.com| url= http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/aboutus/|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> He played Charlie Peace at Nottingham Playhouse in 2013 and Jack FirbraceFirebrace in Birdsong in 2014 and 2015. He played Wilbur Turnblad in the touring production of Hairspray in 2015/16.<ref>{{cite web |titlewebsite= hairsprayuktour.com |publisher= Official Hairspray UK Tour Website {{!}}|title= Cast - Peter Duncan| url= http://www.hairsprayuktour.com/cast/peter-duncan| access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>▼
 
Peter is currently playing the part of John Blondel in a two-man ghostly play When Darkness Falls, set in Guernsey.
▲After leaving ''Blue Peter'' permanently in 1986, he returned to the stage, most notably in Mike Stott's ''Funny Peculiar'' and in the musicals ''[[Barnum (musical)|Barnum]]'', ''[[Me and My Girl]]'' and ''[[The Card]]'' for which he was nominated for an [[Olivier Award]] for Best Actor in a Musical. In the 1990s he appeared in numerous [[pantomime]]s, some of which he also produced through his company Here's One I Made Earlier, including ''Robin Hood'' at the Lewisham (now Broadway) Theatre in South East London. He wrote and directed the Oxford Playhouse pantomime from 2006 to 2013 <ref>{{cite web|title=Oxford Playhouse {{!}} About Us|url=http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/aboutus/|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> He played Charlie Peace at Nottingham Playhouse in 2013 and Jack Firbrace in Birdsong in 2014 and 2015. He played Wilbur Turnblad in the touring production of Hairspray in 2015/16.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Hairspray UK Tour Website {{!}} Cast - Peter Duncan|url=http://www.hairsprayuktour.com/cast/peter-duncan|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
 
==Family travel documentaries==
Between 1999 and 2005, Duncan filmed and produced three [[Travel documentary|travelogue documentary]] series. Each series consisted of six episodes and featured his family embarking on [[Backpacking (travel)|backpacking]] trips around the world. The family also consists of Duncan's wife Annie, and their four children: Lucy, Katie, Georgia and Arthur.▼
 
The first series, ''Travel Bug'', charted a six-month tour of the world. Filmed in 1999 when the children were aged 7 to 13, the series was shown on children's television on [[BBC1]]. The next series, ''Chinese Breakaway'', charted the family's two-month backpacking trip across [[China]] in 2002. The series was aired on [[Five (channel)|Five]] and [[Sky Travel]]. In the third series, ''Arthur's trip to [[India]]'' (also aired on Five), Duncan's 13-year-old son was featured as the chief presenter. A one-off additional episode (''Arthur's trip to [[Jordan]]'') followed his son to the heart of the [[Middle East]].▼
▲Between 1999 and 2005, Duncan filmed and produced three travelogue documentary series. Each series consisted of six episodes and featured his family embarking on backpacking trips around the world. The family also consists of Duncan's wife Annie, and their four children: Lucy, Katie, Georgia and Arthur.
 
==Scout Association==
▲The first series, ''Travel Bug'', charted a six-month tour of the world. Filmed in 1999 when the children were aged 7 to 13, the series was shown on children's television on [[BBC1]]. The next series, ''Chinese Breakaway'', charted the family's two-month backpacking trip across China in 2002. The series was aired on [[Five (channel)|Five]] and [[Sky Travel]]. In the third series, ''Arthur's trip to India'' (also aired on Five), Duncan's 13-year-old son was featured as the chief presenter. A one-off additional episode (''Arthur's trip to Jordan'') followed his son to the heart of the Middle East.
Duncan was appointed as the ninth[[Scout Association]]'s [[Chief Scout (United Kingdom)|Chief Scout]] for [[The Scout Association]] in the UK, for a five-year tenure from 5 September 2004 to July 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295307.pdf |title=Meet the Chiefs |access-date=8 December 2007 |date=October 2004 | website= scoutbase.org.uk| publisher= The Scout Information Centre |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071031114258/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295307.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/bluepeter/presenters/duncan.shtml|title = BBC - I Love Blue Peter - Peter Duncan presenter biography| website= bbc.co.uk| date= | access-date= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/peter-duncan-blue-peter-was-never-middle-class-what-did-they-expect-us-to-do-film-it-in-a-sweatshop/|title=Peter Duncan: "'Blue Peter was never middle class. What did they expect us to do, film it in a sweatshop?"'| website= radiotimes.com| date= | first= | last= | publisher= | access-date= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenaturaladventure.com/peter-duncan/|title = Peter Duncan – the Natural Adventure Company| date = 17 June 2014| website= thenaturaladventure.com| publisher= | access-date= }}</ref>▼
 
==Chief Scout==
 
▲Duncan was appointed as the ninth [[Chief Scout (United Kingdom)|Chief Scout]] for [[The Scout Association]] in the UK, for a five-year tenure from 5 September 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295307.pdf |title=Meet the Chiefs |access-date=8 December 2007 |date=October 2004 |publisher=The Scout Information Centre |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031114258/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295307.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/bluepeter/presenters/duncan.shtml|title = BBC - I Love Blue Peter - Peter Duncan presenter biography}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/peter-duncan-blue-peter-was-never-middle-class-what-did-they-expect-us-to-do-film-it-in-a-sweatshop/|title=Peter Duncan: "Blue Peter was never middle class. What did they expect us to do, film it in a sweatshop?"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenaturaladventure.com/peter-duncan/|title = Peter Duncan – the Natural Adventure Company|date = 17 June 2014}}</ref>
<!-- There was some controversy over this appointment because of his only ever having been a Cub Scout before rejoining the organisation as an adult. The number of Scouts and volunteers rose during his leadership.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} -->
 
Peter Duncan's five-year tenure ended in July 2009, when [[Bear Grylls]] was officially made Chief Scout at Gilwell 24 2009. The handover event featured Duncan and was in front of a crowd of over 3,000 Explorer Scouts on 11 July 2009.
 
==2007 onwards==
In 2007, Duncan took part in the [[Channel 4]] series ''[[The Games (British TV series)|The Games]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://observer.guardian.co.uk/ethicalawards/story/0,,1983641,00.html |title=Observer Ethical Awards |date=14 January 2007 |publisher=The Observer | website= observer.guardian.co.uk| access-date= 26 December 2012}}</ref> He has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse and the Cheltenham Everyman. Until 2019, he produced the pantomime for the Lighthouse theatre in Dorset.<ref>{{cite web
In 2007, Duncan took part in the [[Channel 4]] series ''[[The Games (UK TV series)|The Games]]''.<ref>
|url=http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/aboutus/ |title=Oxford Playhouse: About Us |access-date=26 December 2012 |publisher=Oxford Playhouse Productions }}</ref> In 2007, he played Macduff in ''[[Macbeth]]'' at Regents Park Theatre, London,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/macbeth-review-open-air-theatre-2007 |title=Macbeth at the Open Air Theatre Regents Park
{{cite web
| last= Brown| first= Peter |date=4 June 2007 |publisher= | website= LondonTheatre.co.uk |access-date=26 December 2012}}</ref> and filmed a documentary about the Scouts climbing Everest.<ref>[{{cite web| url= http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/1428402.scouts_fulfil_10year_dream_to_conquer_everest/ |title= Scouts fulfil ten-year dream to conquer Everest] accessed| website= thisishampshire.net| publisher= | date= 27 May 2007| accessdate= 26 December 2012}}</ref> His one-man show ''Daft and Dangerous'' appeared in the 2009 Edinburgh fringe.<ref>[{{cite web| url= http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/article/19300-peter-duncans-daft-and-dangerous/ |title= Peter Duncan&quot;s Daft and Dangerous]| website= edinburghfestival.list.co.uk| date= | publisher= accessed|accessdate= 26 December 2012}}</ref> Duncan featured in ''[[Through the Keyhole]]'' for the third time on 26 January 2019.<ref>[[Through the Keyhole#Series 6|Through The Keyhole Series 6]]</ref>▼
|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/ethicalawards/story/0,,1983641,00.html
|title=Observer Ethical Awards
|access-date=26 December 2012
|date=14 January 2007
|publisher=The Observer }}</ref> He has written and directed Pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse and the Cheltenham Everyman He currently produces the Pantomime for the Lighthouse theatre in Dorset.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/aboutus/
|title=Oxford Playhouse: About Us
|access-date=26 December 2012
|publisher=Oxford Playhouse Productions }}</ref> In 2007, he played Macduff in ''[[Macbeth]]'' at Regents Park Theatre, London,<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/macbeth-review-open-air-theatre-2007
|title=Macbeth at the Open Air Theatre Regents Park
|access-date=26 December 2012
|author=Brown, Peter
|date=4 June 2007
|publisher=LondonTheatre.co.uk }}
▲</ref> and filmed a documentary about the Scouts climbing Everest.<ref>[http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/1428402.scouts_fulfil_10year_dream_to_conquer_everest/ Scouts fulfil ten-year dream to conquer Everest] accessed 26 December 2012</ref> His one-man show ''Daft and Dangerous'' appeared in the 2009 Edinburgh fringe.<ref>[http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/article/19300-peter-duncans-daft-and-dangerous/ Peter Duncan&quot;s Daft and Dangerous] accessed 26 December 2012</ref> Duncan featured in ''[[Through the Keyhole]]'' for the third time on 26 January 2019.<ref>[[Through the Keyhole#Series 6|Through The Keyhole Series 6]]</ref>
 
In 2014, Duncan competed in BBC1's acrobatic and circus show ''[[Tumble (TV series)|Tumble]]'' going out in the semi -final. He was nominated for an 'Offie' for his performance in [[The Dame at the Park Theatre]], London.
for his performance in The Dame at the Park Theatre. London.
 
Duncan established The Natural Adventure Company in 2015 specialisingwhich specialises in self-guided walking holidays and special interest tours, particularly in south eastsoutheast Europe.{{cn|date= March 2022}} He is a Patron of [[British Youth Music Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://britishyouthmusictheatre.org/our-people/patrons|title = Patrons | website= britishyouthmusictheatre.org| publisher= British Youth Music Theatre| date= | access-date= }}</ref>
 
In 2020, he wrote, produced and directed ''Jack and the Beanstalk'', a British film which had a national cinema release.
He is also a Patron of [[British Youth Music Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishyouthmusictheatre.org/our-people/patrons|title = Patrons &#124; British Youth Music Theatre}}</ref>
 
==Partial filmography==
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* ''[[Stardust (1974 film)|Stardust]]'' (1974) - Kevin
* ''[[Mister Quilp]]'' (1975) - Kit Nubbles
* ''[[The Lifetaker]]'' (1976) - Richard<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b738c588a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152143/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b738c588a|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2019|title = The Lifetaker (1975)| website= bfi.org.uk| publisher= | date= | access-date= }}</ref>
* ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]'' (1980) - Young Treeman
* ''Jack and the Beanstalk'' (film) (2020) - Dame Trott
* ''[[Cinderella]]'' (film) (2021) - Billie Eyelash
 
==References==
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== External links ==
* [http://www.pantoonlineheresoneimadeearlier.co.ukcom Official website]
* [http://www.heresoneimadeearlierpantoonline.comco.uk Duncan's personal websitepantoonline.co.uk]
* {{IMDb name|0242063|Peter Duncan}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/bluepeter/presenters/duncan.shtml Profile] as aat BBC presenter]
* [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/gallery/2011/jun/28/blue-peter-picture-gallery Peter Duncan being lowered down the face of Clock Tower (Big Ben)] at ''The Guardian''
 
{{s-start}}
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| before = [[Christopher Wenner]]
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{{s-ttl
| title = ''[[Blue Peter]]'' Presenter No. 12
| years = 1980–1984
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{{s-aft
| after = [[Michael Sundin]]
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{{s-bef
| before = [[Michael Sundin]]
|}}
{{s-ttl
| title = ''[[Blue Peter]]'' Presenter No. 14
| years = 1985–1986
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{{s-aft
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{{Blue Peter presenters}}
 
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[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]▼
[[Category:English male child actors]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:BlueEnglish Peterchildren's television presenters]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts]]
[[Category:Chief Scouts (The Scout Association)]]
▲[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:People from Chelsea, London]]
[[Category:Actors from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
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