Mark Curry

Mark Preston Curry (born 27 August 1961) is an English actor as well as a television and radio presenter. He is best known for his career on the British-television children's show Blue Peter (1986–1989) as a host, as well as his run as host on ITV British gameshow Catchphrase (2002). Early years Born in Stafford, Curry grew up in the mining village of Allerton Bywater near Castleford in the West Riding of Yorkshire. His father, Arthur, a physical training instructor and prison officer, died when Curry was five. His mother, Lily, was a maternity nurse. Career Curry's entertainment career began when he was seven, when he auditioned for Jess Yates, the executive producer of Yorkshire Television's Junior Showtime. Curry was a regular performer on the show from 1969 to 1974, and attended the Jean Pearce School of Dancing in Leeds throughout the early 1970s. In 1976, Curry appeared in the Alan Parker film Bugsy Malone, playing Oscar. He also performed in pantomimes and variety shows during this period. Curry did not enjoy school, and he found it to be an "annoying distraction" from performing.