Peter Purves, a face many grew up watching on Blue Peter, has finally opened up about the long-rumoured fling he had with his co-star Valerie Singleton during their time on the show. Peter, who joined Blue Peter back in 1967 and became the show’s longest-serving male presenter, spent 11 years alongside John Noakes and Valerie, even witnessing the show’s shift from live broadcasts to the fully pre-recorded format we know today.
But away from the cameras, things weren’t quite as squeaky clean. Now 86, Peter has spoken out about the affair that’s been whispered about for years, during his marriage to stage playwright Gilly Fraser. Nearly two decades after Valerie first mentioned their “brief fling,” Peter has finally decided to set the record straight, reported the Express.
In a recent chat with The Telegraph, Peter reflected on his 2009 memoir Here’s One I Made Earlier, where he admitted to two affairs. Talking about Valerie, he confessed: “To be fair, it was only one night,” and added, “And there was never any sexual tension on screen. We’ve remained great friends. Although we also used to fall out all the time.
“Val was/is extremely high maintenance; she always expected people to do things for her.” Peter also said: “I like ladies, I don’t know. I went to boarding school [in Blackpool] and ladies were off limits. Maybe I’ve made up for lost time. Kate and I have been married for 42 years.
“I was married 17 years the first time; I’m hardly a wastrel. I don’t know the rumours.” Addressing the affair further, he was careful to be respectful: “I am not being shy, but I feel it is disrespectful to Kate to go into this. I loved the 60s, the world seemed to be a much freer place.
“It was a time of great music, peace, and fantastic clothes which went on into the 70s and 80s – and I had a great time. I would only apologise if I ever offended anyone, but I hope I didn’t.”
Valerie herself spoke about the night nearly twenty years ago, describing it as a “steamy drunken fling” while they were away on assignment for Blue Peter.
“It was one of those impulsive, enjoyable experiences – but more a friendship thing than anything else,” she told The Telegraph. “Sleeping with people you work with is generally not advisable, so we didn’t want to pursue it. There was always an unspoken acknowledgement that something rather nice had happened.”
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