Children should be allowed to take more risks, says Peter Duncan, the former Blue Peter and Duncan Dares presenter, who called for an easing of “restrictive” safety fears.
The 60-year-old daredevil has been a contestant on the BBC’s Tumble show, where celebrities take part in gymnastic events, though he was voted out on Saturday. As a TV presenter, he was famed for undertaking hazardous activities and stunts on children’s TV.
He said that the risk of minor injury should not deter people from encouraging children to take part in physical activities.
“There was a point at which health and safety was so restrictive and if someone hurt themselves then those leading the activities would be blamed,” he said. “No one ever wants to be reckless when in charge of young people, but there has to be a point where you take a risk.
“We were in a gym yesterday and 70 kids came in and flooded the gym and were lifting and holding each other. It was an extraordinary sight to behold. Sometimes people do hurt themselves, but people mend.”