Former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner thanks mum Jean for life lessons after announcing her death age 91
03.05.2022 - 16:23
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Former TV presenter Anthea Turner paid tribute to her mother, Jean, after she passed away from pneumonia at 91. Anthea, who is known for her time presenting Blue Peter, Top of the Pops and GMTV, announced her mum’s death on social media yesterday, thanking NHS staff for their hard work to try and save her life.
The 61-year-old told followers about the important lessons the media star's late mum, Jean Millicent Turner, had taught her throughout her life, especially in the face of her struggle with dyslexia. She wrote: "So terribly sad but how grateful am I too have had Mum in my life for nearly 62 years.
“I don’t believe people just die their spirit lives on and if you look, you’ll find it. When I was much younger, I’d have railed against this but, I am my mother’s daughter and on reflection I’m ticking off a long list of thank yous for the lessons she’s taught me.”
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Anthea, who most recently appeared in E4’s The Real Dirty Dancing, went on to credit her mum for teaching her skills that may have helped her become a Blue Peter presenter from 1992 to 1994. She continued: “They begin with basic manners, table etiquette was high on her agenda, then skills, I’m not sure I’d have passed my Blue Peter audition if she hadn’t made me handy with scissors & glue. Mum didn’t relish cooking, but she could bake and my apple pie is a homage to her pastry skills.”
Jean taught English and RE in secondary schools, , after attending the Whitelands College at the University of Roehampton, and she was always well-dressed, Anthea explained. “Only when she became ill a few years ago did I ever see her without makeup, she never wore jeans,