Legendry Blue Peter and Crufts presenter Peter Purves, 81, has joined pet supplement company YuMOVE as a brand ambassador.
After 41 years presenting and commenting on Crufts, Channel 4 deemed him too old to continue with the world’s most famous dog show and axed him late last year, according to a report in the Evening Standard.
The presenter told the Press he had been shocked and hurt by the move but had been invited back as a paid guest contributor.
However, the YuMOVE brand, which produces joint supplements for animals and humans of all ages, saw its chance and quickly signed him up to broadcast from the show on its social media channels, including a Twitter Q&A and a Facebook Live session.
Peter, who has four Pekinese dogs – Lilly, Max, Bertie and Teddy – said: “It’s great to be involved with Crufts, something that has been a huge part of my life for the past 41 years, and it just shows there’s certainly life in the old dog yet.
“We all get older, both humans and dogs, but with the right support and by staying active we can remain happy and healthy and keep doing the things we love.”
Peter will be fronting the company’s ‘Life In The Old Dog Yet’ campaign. YuMOVE campaign manager Gemma Cunningham said: “YuMOVES’s misson is to help keep dogs active for life and we’ve found the perfect voice to help encourage this movement. We’re delighted that Peter has joined the team.”
YuMOVE supplements are manufactured by Lintbells. The Hertfoordshire company was established in 2006 by John Howie and John Davies, whose Labrador, Charlie, was slowing down as he aged.
