Peter Duncan's CV is certainly not short of credentials: actor, presenter, writer, producer, traveller, adventurer and in 2004 he became Chief Scout. "I suppose I am like Baden Powell of today," he says, of his role, as volunteer leader of the UK's half a million scouts. Last year, Peter helped to celebrate one hundred years of Scouting at the world's largest jamboree with nearly 40,000 young people attending from all over the world. Peter is a self-confessed "adrenaline addict", he told me of a documentary he made about a group of Scouts climbing Everest. Despite not actually making it to the summit, it's clear Peter likes a challenge: "It was not through want of trying. It was amazing, but I had to get back to the UK as I was starring in Macbeth alongside my son Arthur, at the Open Air theatre in Regents Park." Adding to his already extensive portfolio is his latest show Duncan Dares, which tours from 4th October. Peter will be live at Fair field Halls on 9th October bringing tales from his upbringing, his daredevil exploits and his adventures from around the world. Peter who is perhaps best known for his action man status in Blue Peter explains: "It's a one man show about being an adventurer. It's autobiographical, it will make you laugh through the journey I take you on, and there will be audience participation, musical and theatrical extracts and tight rope walking, plus other stunts. Holding stage on my own will be a risk and a challenge, but that's what keeps me going. It's very exciting." Peter Duncan grew up in Beckenham, Kent but spent many years backstage with all the theatricals as his parents took to the stage in Pantomimes. "I was a Bromley lad until I left home at 15 to pursue my career in acting." After joining the National Theatre at 17, Peter undertook numerous roles; most famously he undertook a cameo role in the film Flash Gordon where he played 'Young Treeman', a character that met a ghastly death after having his hand bitten off by an alien critter.

presence on screen lasted a matter of minutes, but his role was certainly a memorable one. In 1980 Peter became the 11th presenter to join the Blue Peter team along with Simon Groom, Sarah Green and Goldie the Labrador. This iconic children's show is soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary on 16th October and Peter is excited about the celebrations: "Blue Peter has been watched by generations, it was great family entertainment and it still is. I have some amazing memories". Peter followed the footsteps of past presenter and fellow daredevil John Noakes and was quickly titled as the action hero after running in the first ever London Marathon: "I run the marathon every ten years, my next one will be in 2011." He also crossed the Irish Sea in a VW Beetle and challenged a sumo wrestler in Japan. He was known for his rugged laid back approach, which caused uproar with a number of parents who complained about his "scruffy image." In true Blue Peter style, the producers came up with a Design Peter an Outf it Competition; the winning outfit was a green and white checked suit. In 1985 Peter took a year out from Blue Peter to capitalize on his daring streak by making 12 episodes of Duncan Dares. This was a programme that would see Peter lying on a bed of six inch nails, which he was to share with a dangerous Indian Python and a tarantula, under the instruction of a young girl and the watchful eye of a circus audience. When Peter was given the task he was quoted to have said: "I wish I was doing a safe act, but it's too late to back out now." In 1986 he returned to Blue Peter for his final year before returning to acting, most notably as the lead role in the musicals Barnum and Me and My Girl.

In 1995 he was nominated for an Olivier as best Actor in a musical for his role in The Card. Between 1995 and 2005, Peter filmed, produced and directed three travelogue documentary series under his Production Company Here's One I Made Earlier and for anyone who watched masterpieces being made from sticky-back plastic it's not hard to see where the catchy name derives from! The first series Travel Bug (CBBC) was subsequently followed by Chinese Breakaway (Channel Five and Sky Travel) and Arthur's trip to India (Channel Five), where Peter's son Arthur was featured as chief presenter. Each six-part series featured him and his family (his wife Annie, and their four children: Lucy, Katie, Georgia and Arthur) embarking on backpacking trips around the world. This was an amazing experience and opportunity, which Peter describes: "As having had a fundamental affect on the whole family. Seeing the world changes your perspective and attitudes making you less local and more global." His eldest daughter Lucy is now in China filming her own documentary. More recently he was the oldest competitor to-date in Channel 4's The Games and co-directed the comedy series Demolition Dad with Daniel Peacock. He has also followed in his parents footsteps by playing goodies and baddies in Pantomime: "I have played Buttons, Peter Pan and Captain Hook; it's good to play a variety of good and bad characters. This year I am directing Sleeping Beauty at the Oxford Playhouse and I am playing Wishy-Washy in Aladdin in Rickmansworth." Is there no end to this man's energy and talent? You'll have to see for yourself. If you are keen to see more of Peter's life manifested through the art of storytelling, dares, video clips, narration and audience participation, don't miss his amazing one- man show Duncan Dares. In the 50th year of Blue Peter come and see this man walk a tightrope (literally) between comedy and the custard pies of life. Thursday 9th October at Fairf ield Halls 7.30 pm Box Office: 020 8688 9291.