13th September 1984 - 24th June 1985
Born: 1961
Died: 24th July 1989
Presented with Simon Groom and Janet Ellis.
"The truth is Michael was one of our toughest ever presenters." Biddy Baxter.
At just 12 Michael Sundin was winning awards for trampolining, a skill that would stand him in good stead for the traditional Blue Peter audition piece - talking to camera while jumping on a trampoline.
In 1976 he became the World Synchro Champion in the 15-to-18 year old age group, alongside his partner Carl Furrer, and he went on to become a member of the British Men's National Squad.
After leaving school Michael took a job as a computer programmer, but his real passion was disco. Coming third in a national disco dancing contest, he was inspired to set up his own troupe, Midnight Fantasy.
His first big break was in the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, opposite Barbara Windsor.
It was this role that led to him at just 20 being cast as Bill Bailey in the musical Cats. There, Disney spotted him and offered him the role of Tik-Tok in the 1985 film Return to Oz.
Whilst filming his part, Janet Ellis interviewed him and the production team spotted his potential. The episode containing the report ended with the announcement that Michael was to join the show.
Michael soon found himself filling Peter Duncan's action man shoes, and was seen skiing and trampolining with the RAF. His film connections also meant he was often shown visiting various film sets and he also reported from Elton John's house.
Michael's contract was not renewed and he returned to acting. But his only role post-Blue Peter was in the children's film Lionheart (1987) playing Bertram, opposite Eric Stoltz and Gabriel Byrne. He did however appear as a dancer in the video for Rick Astley's 1989 track She Wants to Dance With Me.
In 1988 he also appeared on Wogan, alongside Biddy Baxter and a host of other ex-presenters.
Three months after he left the programme a video emerged showing him dancing in his underwear in a London nightclub. The tabloids were soon reporting various details about his lifestyle.
Michael Sundin died at the tragically young age of 28 of an AIDS-related illness.
Top Blue Peter moment: Trampolining with the RAF Gymnasts.
