Former Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry has married his long-term partner in a gay civil ceremony.

His fellow groom’s ex-wife and daughter were among 50 guests who saw the men take their vows wearing matching yellow roses in their lapels.

Mark and chartered surveyor Jeremy Sandle have been together for ten years and share a house.

But the star, who was not openly gay during his time in children’s TV for fear it would ruin his career, called the ceremony his ‘coming out’ party.

Kathryn Apanowicz, partner of the late Countdown host Richard Whiteley, read a poem during the service this month at Marble Hill mansion in Twickenham, South-West London.

Calling it a ‘joyous day’, Mark, who was known for being accident-prone on Blue Peter, said: ‘I’m a bit of a worrier. I get nervous just putting on a dinner party, so I was more than a little jittery about how things would go. Thankfully, there were no accidents or dramas.’

Mark, 47,who hosted Blue Peter from 1986 to 1989, added: ‘Jeremy and I are both mature people, who care deeply for each other and decided to formalise our union simply for legal purposes.

'Our families are 100 per cent supportive. It’s not that we needed to make any kind of declaration of our love.’
Enlarge   In his TV heyday: Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry with Caron Keating and Yvette Fielding

Jeremy, 52, was previously married for 16 years and has two daughters – Emma, 27, and Kate, 21.

Kate and her mother Susan were both at the wedding. ‘It was a very happy occasion, shared with family and friends. We are both delighted,’ said Jeremy.

The reception at Caffe La Fiamma, near Hampton Court Palace, included music from former Mud bass player Ray Stiles and Ian Parker from newly reformed Sixties group The Hollies.

The cafe manager, known as Jari, said: ‘It was a happy and boisterous affair. Mark was in good spirits and told a lot of jokes. Everyone seemed to have had a very good time.’

Mark, who now runs a dating agency, said: ‘I’ve known that I was gay since my late teens, but I was advised early in the Eighties, by a seasoned ex-presenter, that it was best to keep quiet.

‘I never told a lie, or took girls out to parties to throw people off. I was always true to myself and people who mattered knew. Still, there was always a worry I might lose my job if the public found out. But thankfully, times have changed and today no one is penalised for being who they are.’

He met Jeremy on a blind date and said: ‘It was not exactly love at first sight. But it was pretty close. He’s a great bloke and my best friend. He’s brought incredible joy into my life.’

Mail Online

Civil Partnerships