Who is Peter Duncan? From Blue Peter Adventurer to Theatre Icon

Peter Duncan is a British actor, television presenter, filmmaker, and former Chief Scout, best known for his adventurous spirit and his time on the iconic 1980s children’s show Blue Peter.

Who is Peter Duncan?

Born into a touring theatrical family, he began acting at a young age and joined Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre at just sixteen. Throughout the 1970s, he built a successful acting career in film and television, appearing in productions such as Stardust, Quilp, and famously being killed by a tree monster in Flash Gordon.

Beyond acting, Peter Duncan has had a strong presence in musical theatre, playing major roles such as P.T. Barnum, Charlie Chaplin in The Little Tramp, and Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl. He earned an Olivier Award nomination for his role as Denry Machin in The Card at Regent’s Park Theatre. His theatre credits also include appearances in Hairspray, Million Dollar Quartet, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Dame, a play written by his daughter Katie. His daughters Lucy (Luki) and Georgia are professional singer-songwriters.

Peter became a household name after joining Blue Peter in 1980. Known for his daring nature, he famously cleaned Big Ben’s clock tower on his first day and ran the London Marathon in just over three hours. His time on Blue Peter took him around the world—from competing with a sumo wrestler in Japan to working on humanitarian missions in Indonesia.

The BBC later commissioned Duncan Dares, showcasing his appetite for extreme challenges, including driving an amphibious VW Beetle across the Irish Sea and walking a circus high wire. He has continued to appear in reality and documentary programming, including The Games and Tumble, and has shared many of his adventures on his website, heresoneimadeearlier.com.

As a filmmaker, Peter has written, produced, and released pantomime films such as Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, available on pantoonline.co.uk. He also created family travel documentaries like Travel Bug, where he journeyed across the world with his partner Annie and their four children.

In 2004, Peter was appointed Chief Scout of the UK, leading the movement through its 2007 centenary. He filmed expeditions, including a journey to Mount Everest where he interviewed Sir Edmund Hillary.

Today, Peter Duncan continues to promote youth development, arts, and environmental education. He serves as a patron for British Youth Music Theatre and Action for Children’s Arts. Holder of the prestigious Gold Blue Peter badge, he remains a celebrated figure in British entertainment and adventure culture.