Caron Keating

Blonde; game for a laugh; much-loved Northern Irish children's TV presenter and daughter of TV star Gloria Hunniford who is best remembered for presenting Blue Peter (1958). Caron was one of the most popular Blue Peter presenters in the show's long history. She gave the show a modern edge during her four year stint on the show between 1986-1990, teamed with Yvette Fielding, Mark Curry and John Leslie. Often seen doing daring challenges for the show such as riding on top of a by-plane in mid-flight; jumping under freezing waterfalls, diving with sharks, and abseiling down cliffs and skyscrapers. She was known for her sense of fashion and enabled the show to overcome its rather twee image, with a rather memorable over-hairsprayed look. After leaving Blue Peter in 1990 she found other work, mainly on BBC Television shows such as Summer Scene (1992) and Holiday (1969). It is often said that Children's Television presenters find it difficult to 'grow up' in TV words and find the transition to adult television difficult. Not Caron, she was perfectly cast on This Morning (1988) as a guest presenter often standing in for husband and wife team, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. Caron suffered a major setback when diagnosed with breast cancer. She sadly disappeared from our television screens after 2001. She died at her mother's home in Sevenoaks, Kent, in April 2004 surrounded by her children and family after losing her battle with the disease. Her sparkle and intelligence was an inspiration to all children, she belonged to the good old days when children's television presenters didn't feel the need to shout and wear loud clothes to be interesting. Her passing caused an outpouring of tributes to such a genuine, decent, talented and trustworthy television star.