Latest news with #ValerieSingleton
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Blue Peter legend reveals she was caught sunbathing topless on her balcony by a passing hot air balloon
A Blue Peter legend has recalled how she once accidentally flashed some hot air balloon passengers, while sunbathing topless on her balcony. Valerie Singleton, 88, joined the longest-running children's TV show back in 1962 and serving as a presenter for 10 memorable years, until her exit in 1972. The broadcaster has opened up on a mortifying incident that saw her reveal slightly more of herself than intended. Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, she explained how at her home in Dorset, she had cleverly arranged plants around her so that she could sunbathe topless with privacy. However, while she had hidden herself from view of her neighbours, Valerie explained that she hadn't anticipated being seen from the skies. She recalled: 'I was sitting on my balcony and I had window boxes all around so I could sunbathe topless without all my neighbours seeing me. Then suddenly, quite a long way off, I saw a hot air balloon.' In accordance with her friendly nature, she immediately jumped up to wave to the passengers, momentarily forgetting her state of undress. Valerie admitted being slightly too slow to grab a towel to protect her modesty in time, giving the hot air balloon quite an eyeful. She told listeners: 'Quite without thinking I stood up and waved to it and then the hot air balloon turned to me and dipped its basket to me. 'I was a bit too late to reach a towel. They must have had binoculars because they were quite a long way off.' After her time on Blue Peter, Valerie went on to host the likes of Nationwide, The Money Programme and BBC Radio 4 show PM. She reflected on her time on the beloved TV show in March, writing in The Mail on Sunday about the importance of the programme for children. Valerie penned: 'I've lost count of the people who've told me they had been inspired to pursue their careers – be it designing hats, becoming a painter or an engineer – because of something they had seen on the show. That is the lasting impact of Blue Peter.' She added: 'So yes, I can happily say I loved every moment of my nearly ten years at the helm, and I missed it terribly when I left in 1972. 'But I remain a member of the Blue Peter family. Today, I'm friends with many of the presenters who came after me, from Mark Curry and Tim Vincent (who was actually born as I left) to Janet Ellis, Diane Louise Jordan and Anthea Turner. 'And I kept watching it religiously too, that is until 2012 when the powers-that-be removed it from its long-standing slot just before the six o'clock news and placed it on their dedicated children's channel CBeebies.' During her Blue Peter stint, Valerie presented alongside Christopher Trace, John Noakes, Peter Purves and Lesley Judd. And in 2008, she memorably revealed that she and a then-married Peter had had an affair while on the show. Revealing the illicit tryst, she said she liked 'the pirate type. And men who give me what I call BSE – a big sexual experience.' Valerie explained: 'It was one of those impulsive, enjoyable experiences - but more a friendship thing than anything else. '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.' Peter, 86, recently opened up on the drunken fling in an interview with The Telegraph last month. He said: 'To be fair it was only one night. 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. 'She'd be sitting in the studio writing letters and call an assistant to 'get me an envelope'. Occasionally she would get under my skin. 'We were in Mexico once and we weren't speaking. We only spoke to each other through John, I can't remember why.'
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Blue Peter legend caught sunbathing topless in awkward nude blunder
Broadcasting star Valerie Singleton hosted iconic TV programme Blue Peter for a decade back in the 1960s before going on to present The Money Programme and BBC Radio 4 show PM A Blue Peter legend was caught sunbathing topless by hot air balloon passengers, the TV star revealed. Valerie Singleton is best known for her time presenting the children's TV programme but has now opened up about her funny moment years on. Valerie has revealed her anecdote about how she was caught sunbathing topless by passengers of a hot air balloon. She explained that she was left embarrassed when she was simply relaxing on her balcony at home - and spotted a hot air balloon full of people nearby. Forgetting she had no clothes on, Valerie stood up to wave at those travelling in the hot air balloon. However, seconds later she realised that she was topless for all to see and ran to grab a towel to cover her modesty. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, she explained that she used to put plants around her so she could sunbathe naked at her home near Sherborne, Dorset without being spotted by any of her neighbours. Valerie told listeners of the radio show: "I was sitting on my balcony and I had window boxes all around so I could sunbathe topless without all my neighbours seeing me. "Then suddenly, quite a long way off, I saw a hot air balloon. Quite without thinking I stood up and waved to it and then the hot air balloon turned to me and dipped its basket to me. I was a bit too late to reach a towel. They must have had binoculars because they were quite a long way off." 88-year-old Valerie is best known for hosting Blue Peter between 1962 to 1972 before going onto to present The Money Programme and BBC Radio 4 show PM. She never got married but was involved in a relationship with Albert Finney and has an affair with Blue Peter co-star Peter Purves while he was married. Valerie revealed almost 20 years ago that they had slept together, saying: "It was one of those impulsive, enjoyable experiences - but more a friendship thing than anything else. 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." While Peter recently opened up to The Telegraph about the drunken fling saying: "I am not being shy, but I feel it is disrespectful 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."
