GMB: Piers says Crufts sacking Peter Purves is ‘cruel’
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Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves, 82, has opened up about his sudden departure from his presenting role at Crufts. Peter presented and commentated on the dog show for 41 years before he was axed by Channel 4 in 2019.
He became known as the “voice of Crufts” due to being a stalwart of the dog show.
He confirmed at the time that Channel 4 bosses had told him they were “refreshing” their coverage and he was “surplus to requirements”.
The star has since claimed he didn’t receive any warning from the broadcaster beforehand, and the decision came as an unpleasant surprise.
Peter spoke out on the situation in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, admitting he was left feeling “disappointed and upset”.
He said: “I was very disappointed, very upset.
“I had no warning of it, in fact they had invited me to present the Best in Show trophy at that show.
“And then I contacted one of the producers of the Channel 4 output to let them know that I wouldn’t be able to commentate on the Best in Show because I would be down there in the ring, just to let them know in advance.
“And I just got a simple reply, saying, ‘sorry Peter, we weren’t going to ask you to do it this year’.”
When quizzed on whether he would want to return to covering dog shows again, Peter said: “I doubt I could do it for broadcast because Channel 4 has a monopoly on what comes out.”
Peter also claimed that he was “banned” from doing live broadcasting from YuMOVE’s trade stand.
The star is a brand ambassador for YuMOVE and their collection of natural dog joint supplements.
He continued: “It’s interesting, YuMOVE wanted to do live broadcasting from their trade stand at the show and they weren’t allowed to do it.
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“I was going to do that, they were banned from doing it.
“The PR company that’s looking after me had a wonderful project lined up – doing daily reports from the YuMOVE stand, not from the main arena, but – banned from it, not allowed.”
He added: “You can’t fight against big organisations, so you put up with it and just tell it like it is.
“I was very upset and very disappointed.
“My alternative plans came to nothing because we weren’t allowed to do it like that.
“But at least I had a good time as ambassador for YuMOVE and they looked after me very nicely.”
Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for Channel 4 for comment.
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