Mark Curry (British TV presenter) facts for kids

Mark Preston Curry (born 27 August 1961) is an English actor and TV presenter. He is best known for being a host on the popular British children's show Blue Peter from 1986 to 1989. He also hosted the British game show Catchphrase in 2002.

Mark Curry's Early Life

Mark Curry was born in Stafford, England. He grew up in a small mining village called Allerton Bywater. His father passed away when Mark was five years old. His mother worked as a maternity nurse.

Mark Curry's Career Journey

Mark Curry started his entertainment career when he was just seven years old. He performed regularly on a TV show called Junior Showtime from 1969 to 1974. During this time, he also attended a dancing school in Leeds.

Early Acting and TV Roles

In 1976, Mark appeared in the movie Bugsy Malone, playing a character named Oscar. He also performed in many pantomimes, which are fun musical plays often performed around Christmas. Mark didn't really enjoy school because he found it a "distraction" from his performing.

He was in a TV pantomime called Babes in the Wood in 1972. Later, in the late 1970s, he co-hosted a Saturday morning TV show called Calendar Kids. He also had a main role in a TV series about brass bands called Sounding Brass.

TV Shows in the 1980s

In the early 1980s, Mark joined the Harrogate Theatre Company and acted in several plays. In 1981, he co-hosted a BBC show called Get Set For Summer. This show later became The Saturday Picture Show, which Mark hosted until 1986. He worked with other presenters like Maggie Philbin.

Mark also hosted the final series of the BBC quiz show Screen Test in 1984.

Hosting Blue Peter

On 23 June 1986, Mark Curry joined the famous children's TV show Blue Peter. He worked alongside other presenters like Janet Ellis and Yvette Fielding.

During his time on Blue Peter, Mark traveled to Malawi to see how a charity called Sightsavers helped people with eye problems. Mark himself had an eye operation when he was young, so he was very keen to help raise money for this charity.

He also traveled across the Soviet Union for a special expedition in 1987. Mark was known on the show for his history features, his cooking attempts (which sometimes went wrong!), and his performing skills. He was chosen to join Blue Peter because of his successful children's history program called Treasure Houses.

Mark Curry's Work in the 1990s

After Blue Peter, Mark continued to act and present. In 1990, he appeared in the TV drama London's Burning. He also appeared in an episode of the comedy series Bread.

When Roy Castle became ill, Mark was asked to help present the BBC show Record Breakers, which featured amazing world records. Mark also performed in many stage plays, including The Woman in Black in London's West End in 1994. He also starred in Charley's Aunt and the musical Singin' in the Rain.

Mark is a keen tennis player and a qualified coach. He joined the BBC Radio 5 team to commentate on Wimbledon tennis matches in the early 1990s. He also presents at the AEGON Classic, a women's tennis tournament before Wimbledon.

From 1996 to 1998, Mark presented a DIY (Do It Yourself) show on BBC One called Change That. He also co-hosted a live food show called Taste Today, where he traveled to places like Italy and India to explore different foods.

Mark Curry in the 2000s

Hosting Catchphrase

In 2002, Mark Curry presented the final series of the original TV quiz show Catchphrase. This show was very popular and was later brought back in 2013 with a new host.

Other Appearances

Mark made a guest appearance in an episode of Last of the Summer Wine in 2007. He played a character trying to contact aliens. He also appeared in an episode of the BBC drama Doctors.

In 2009, Mark was cast as The Compere in a play called Talent, which was directed by the famous comedian Victoria Wood.

Mark Curry from 2010 to Today

From 2012, Mark presented a breakfast radio show called Curry For Breakfast on Talk Radio Europe, which broadcasts in southern Spain. He continued to perform in theatre, including plays like Wife Begins at Forty and Who's Under Where?.

He also performed in musicals such as Company and Victor/Victoria in London. Mark has often presented and performed in the BBC Children in Need charity shows. For one show, he dressed up as Cliff Richard and sang his famous songs.

Mark has continued to commentate on tennis at Wimbledon for various radio stations. He has also appeared on TV quiz shows like Pointless and Antiques Roadshow. He even won a special Strictly Come Dancing show for Children In Need!

From May to August 2014, Mark played a character named Siegfried Farnon in a stage show based on All Creatures Great and Small. In 2016, Mark played the role of the Wizard in the famous West End musical Wicked.

Mark Curry's Family Life

Mark Curry has a daughter and a granddaughter. In 2008, he entered into a civil partnership with his partner, Jeremy Sandle.