Michael Sundin

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Michael Sundin (1 March 1961 – 23 July 1989) was a television presenter, actor, dancer and trampolinist, who was best remembered for his short spell as a Blue Peter presenter.

He was born in Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. His parents were Alan and Joyce Sundin, and he had a brother named David. After winning five British titles and one World title in British & World Trampolining tournaments, 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, which led to a long run in the Cameron Mackintosh musical Cats, in which he played Bill Bailey in its West End run from 1982-83. He also appeared in the video for Culture Club's video for "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" from 1982.

In 1984, he began rehearsing the character Tik-Tok for the Walt Disney film Return to Oz, and this was covered by the long-running BBC children's magazine programme Blue Peter. Sundin impressed the editor, Biddy Baxter, and was invited to audition for the presenting 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.

After fronting 77 episodes, the editors and production team decided not to renew Sundin's contract after the summer break, because they felt that he had little rapport with the viewers and some parents complained about his perceived effeminacy. He presented his last show on 24 June 1985. Sundin 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 what was exaggeratingly described as a videotaped gay sex show, at London’s Hippodrome Theatre.

Sundin subsequently appeared in the 1987 film Lionheart (in which 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 from 1987-88, Sundin fell ill. At the age of just 28, he died in the Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. The Times newspaper reported (on 26 July 1989) that he had died of liver cancer, but in fact his death was AIDS-related, and a decision was made that this information would not be released to the press.

Preceded by Peter Duncan

Blue Peter Presenter No. 14 1984-85

Succeeded by Peter Duncan (again)