Michael Sundin

Actor-singer-dancer-trampolinist-acrobat, Michael Sundin (March 1, 1961 - July 23, 1989) is best remembered for his short spell as a Blue Peter presenter.

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March 1 - 1961 - July 23 - 1989

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He was born at Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Son to Alan and Joyce Sundin and brother to David. After winning five British titles and one World title in British & World Trampolining, he first entered showbusiness in 1980 when he appeared in the pantomime "Jack and the Beanstalk" with Barbara Windsor. He went on to make various television and theatre appearances both as an actor and dancer, and this led to a long run in the Cameron Mackintosh musical "Cats" where he played Bill Bailey from 1982-83 in the West End. In 1984 he began rehearsing 'Tik-Tok' for the Walt Disney children?s fantasy "Return To Oz" and this was covered by the long-running BBC children's magazine programme "Blue Peter". Michael impressed the editor Biddy Baxter and was invited to audition for the presenter vacancy left by Peter Duncan. It was his fortune that one of the audition items was to interview someone on a trampoline - and he presented his first programme on 13 September 1984.

Related Topics:
Barbara Windsor - Cameron Mackintosh - Walt Disney - Blue Peter - Biddy Baxter - Peter Duncan

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After presenting 77 episodes the editors and production team decided not to renew Michael's contract after the summer break because they felt that he had little rapport with the viewers and some children/parents complained about his effeminacy. He presented his last show on 24 June 1985. Michael was very unhappy about this decision and made his feelings known in the tabloid press. In October 1985 the "Daily Mirror" printed photographs of him taking part in a videotaped gay sex show at London?s Hippodrome Theatre.

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Michael's career was affected by this tabloid exposure and afterwards he made a film, "Lionheart" (1987), where he was incorrectly credited as Michel Sundin. After a UK theatre tour of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and a Japanese/Australian tour of "Starlight Express" in 1987-88, Michael fell ill. At the age of just 28 he died in the Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. "The Times" newspaper reported that he died of cancer of the liver (26 July 1989), but later his death was found to be AIDS related.

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