Tributes are flowing this week for former Blue Peter presenter Michael Sundin, whose life was tragically cut short at just 28 years old in 1989. The Elstree Project has led heartfelt commemorations, reflecting on his brief but memorable television career and his significant contribution to cinema.
A Rising Star Cut Short
Michael Sundin joined the iconic BBC children's programme Blue Peter in 1984, stepping into the role vacated by the popular presenter Peter Duncan. His appointment came after catching the eye of producers during an interview with then-presenter Janet Ellis. He quickly became known for his adventurous segments, visiting film sets and even dropping by Elton John's home.
Before his Blue Peter fame, Sundin had already demonstrated remarkable talent. A trampolining champion by age 12, he had performed in Andrew Lloyd Webber's celebrated musical Cats. His television tenure, however, lasted less than a year, with his contract reportedly not being renewed.
The Controversial Departure
Sundin's exit from Blue Peter remains shrouded in controversy. While then-Editor Biddy Baxter stated publicly that his departure was due to a lack of viewer appeal, numerous sources have suggested his sexuality played a role. The media outed him as gay during his time on the show, adding a painful dimension to his professional challenges.
In a 2007 interview, Baxter firmly denied these allegations, stating: "It was his leaving the programme because children didn't like him – nothing to do with his sexual proclivities." Nevertheless, the circumstances have remained a point of discussion for decades.
Remembering Tik-Tok
Beyond Blue Peter, Sundin's most enduring legacy is his performance as Tik-Tok in Disney's 1985 film Return to Oz. The Elstree Project's recent tribute highlighted the extraordinary physical demands of this role.
Sundin performed inside a rigid, four-foot copper robot suit, folded double with his arms crossed and head tucked between his legs. He walked backwards throughout filming, navigating via an internal monitor showing an upside-down, reversed camera feed. This required immense spatial awareness, muscular control, and constant recalibration.
Walter Murch, oral history director for The Elstree Project, noted: "When Michael Sundin died in 1989 from an AIDS-related illness, aged just 28, there was only a small on-air acknowledgement of his passing on Blue Peter." He added that in an era of stigma and silence, much of Sundin's contribution was quietly erased from anniversary montages until recent years.
Life After Blue Peter
Following his departure from the children's show, Sundin continued his acting career. He appeared in the 1987 film Lionheart and performed in touring stage productions including Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Starlight Express. He even featured in Rick Astley's 1988 music video for She Wants To Dance With Me.
Tragically, his illness began that same year. Initial reports suggested liver cancer, but it was later confirmed he died from an AIDS-related illness at Newcastle General Hospital.
A Legacy Reclaimed
The Elstree Project's tribute emphasises that Sundin was not merely an animatronics operator or puppeteer, but a full-body suit performer whose physicality brought Tik-Tok to life. His work represented a complex collaboration between mechanical, electronic, and human elements.
After his death, Blue Peter presenter Yvette Fielding, alongside colleagues John Leslie and Caron Keating, paid on-air respects. Fielding expressed the shock felt by all, stating: "Michael had been ill for a little while but the news of his death came as a great shock to all of us."
Remembered by friends as a "blond, outgoing, gregarious ball of fun," Michael Sundin's story is one of remarkable talent, professional adversity, and a legacy that deserves proper recognition beyond the controversies that surrounded his brief time in the spotlight.
