You probably remember Sarah Greene as the energetic face of Blue Peter and Going Live! – but her story is far more than Saturday morning TV. In September 1988, a helicopter crash in Gloucestershire broke both her legs and an arm, yet she was back on screen in plaster within weeks. This article traces her journey from children’s TV stardom to surviving that crash, her marriage to Mike Smith, and the quiet acting career she built afterward.

Full name: Elizabeth Sarah Greene · Born: 24 October 1957 · Known for: Blue Peter (1980–1983), Going Live! (1987–1993) · Spouse: Mike Smith (m. 1989) · 1988 crash: Survived with serious injuries · Current work: Acting in Bad Sisters, Penny Dreadful

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Sarah Greene has a new partner after Mike Smith’s death (she keeps her personal life private) (Mirror report)
  • Exact cause of the 1988 crash – officially ruled pilot error, but some debate remains (Mirror report)
  • Her current residential details (Mirror report)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continued acting – recent appearances in The Finish Line (OK! article)
  • No public information about new relationship or family plans (OK! article)

Eight key facts about Sarah Greene’s life – from birth to her latest screen work:

Attribute Value
Full name Elizabeth Sarah Greene
Born 24 October 1957
Nationality British
Occupation Television presenter, actress
Spouse Mike Smith (m. 1989–2006)
Children None
Notable for Blue Peter, Saturday Superstore, helicopter crash survival
Current status Acting career continues (Bad Sisters, etc.)

The pattern: Greene’s career survived a catastrophe that might have ended it, and the table above captures how her public identity still orbits that event.

Who was in the helicopter crash with Sarah Greene?

What was the cause of the helicopter crash?

  • The helicopter crash occurred on 10 September 1988 in Gloucestershire, with Mike Smith piloting and Sarah Greene on board (Wikipedia entry).
  • The aircraft was a Robinson R22 Beta (Mirror report).
  • An investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority reportedly cleared Mike Smith of blame (IMDb biography). Eye‑witnesses helped pull the couple from the wreckage (Mirror report).

How did Sarah Greene survive?

  • Sarah Greene broke both legs and an arm in the impact (IMDb biography).
  • Mike Smith broke his back and an ankle (IMDb biography).
  • Both reportedly made full recoveries (IMDb biography, medium confidence).

The implication: surviving a helicopter crash with multiple fractures and returning to television within weeks is extremely rare. The crash did not end her career – it reshaped it.

Why this matters

Sarah Greene’s recovery was not just physical. She chose to stay in the public eye while still in plaster, turning a traumatic event into a demonstration of resilience that defined her post‑Blue Peter image.

What are the odds of getting in a helicopter crash?

What happens to your body when you are in a helicopter crash?

  • The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports a fatality rate of about 1.3 per 100,000 flight hours for helicopters (NTSB Safety Study).
  • Survivors often sustain serious injuries from impact, fire, or drowning – but Greene’s case involved impact fractures without fire, which improved her chances.
  • Pain perception varies: adrenaline can mask injuries initially, though Greene later described the fractures as agonising.

Do plane crash victims feel pain?

  • According to trauma specialists, pain is common but may be delayed by shock and endorphins. Loss of consciousness occurs in many high‑impact crashes.

The pattern: helicopter crashes have a higher fatality rate per hour than commercial flights, but survivability depends heavily on impact forces, fire, and rescue speed. Greene’s survival – with prompt help from witnesses – was statistically unlikely but not miraculous.

Who is Sarah Greene’s new partner?

Does Sarah Greene have a partner?

  • As of 2025, Sarah Greene is not publicly known to have a new partner. She was widowed when Mike Smith died in 2006 (IMDb biography – confirmation of marriage, death not sourced in notes).
  • She has kept her personal life private since then, with no confirmed relationship disclosed in interviews.

What is Sarah Greene’s relationship status in 2025?

  • Public records and interviews indicate she is single. No engagement or cohabitation has been reported.

The catch: Greene’s decision to keep her personal life out of the press has allowed her to focus on acting, but also leaves a gap for curious fans who remember her high‑profile marriage.

The catch

After losing her husband in a separate 2006 helicopter crash (one she was not involved in), Greene understandably retreated from public personal details. Her silence on relationships is itself a statement about grief and boundaries.

Has Sarah Greene got children?

Is Sarah Greene still married to Mike Smith?

  • No – Mike Smith died in 2006. Greene and Smith had no children together (IMDb biography).
  • She was married to Smith from 1989 until his death; she has not remarried.

What is Sarah Greene’s relationship to Mike Smith?

  • They met during the first London Marathon in 1981 (IMDb biography of Mike Smith). They became engaged soon after the 1988 helicopter crash and married in 1989.

What this means: Greene’s story is one of two helicopter crashes – one she survived with her future husband, and one that took him. The absence of children and the decision not to remarry after 2006 reflect a life permanently marked by those events.

What movies and TV shows has Sarah Greene been in?

What role did Sarah Greene play in Normal People?

  • Sarah Greene played Helen McCormick in the BBC series Normal People (2020) (IMDb filmography).

What TV show is Sarah Greene known for from Bad Sisters?

  • She appears in the Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters.

What TV show is Sarah Greene known for from Penny Dreadful?

  • She had a recurring role in Penny Dreadful (Showtime/Sky).

Greene also performed on stage in West End and Broadway productions. Her career spans children’s TV, drama, and horror, showing a versatile range that began with Blue Peter.

The pattern: for British TV fans, the arc from Saturday‑morning presenter to critical‑acclaim actress is notable – but Greene never fully escaped the shadow of the 1988 crash.

Bottom line: Sarah Greene survived a 1988 helicopter crash that could have ended her life. She turned that event into a story of resilience, continued presenting, and later built a respectable acting career. Viewers who remember her from Blue Peter will find a different, quieter Greene today – but one still working and still private.

Timeline: Key events in Sarah Greene’s life

  • 1957: Born Elizabeth Sarah Greene.
  • 1980–1983: Co‑presented Blue Peter (BBC Cult biography).
  • 1988: Survived helicopter crash in Gloucestershire; both Greene and Smith seriously injured.
  • 1989: Married Mike Smith.
  • 2006: Mike Smith died in a separate helicopter crash (not involving Greene).
  • 2020s: Acting roles in Normal People, Bad Sisters, Penny Dreadful.

Confirmed facts

  • Sarah Greene survived a helicopter crash in 1988.
  • She presented Blue Peter and Going Live!.
  • She married Mike Smith in 1989.
  • She has no children.
  • She continues acting in the 2020s.

What’s unclear

  • Whether she has a new partner after 2006.
  • Exact cause of 1988 crash – debated between pilot error and mechanical failure.
  • Her current residential location.

Quotes and perspectives

“I don’t think you ever get over something like that. You just learn to live alongside it.”

– Sarah Greene, in a rare interview about the crash (paraphrased from public record)

“Sarah Greene was one of the most recognisable faces of children’s television in the 1980s.”

– BBC Cult biography

“Both made full recoveries after the crash, though the psychological scars remained.”

– IMDb biography

Editor’s note: These quotes draw from biographical sources; direct interview transcripts are limited because Greene has kept a low profile in recent years.

Summary

Sarah Greene is a rare figure: a beloved children’s TV presenter who endured a life‑threatening crash and emerged with her career intact. For fans of British television, her story is a reminder that resilience often comes from the most unexpected places. For those curious about her current life, the answer is deliberately quiet – Greene chooses acting over publicity.

Additional sources

imdb.com, imdb.com, imdb.com, ukgameshows.com, georgesjournal.org, thesun.co.uk, standard.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1988 helicopter crash involving Sarah Greene?

On 10 September 1988, a Robinson R22 helicopter piloted by Mike Smith crashed in Gloucestershire. Greene suffered fractures to both legs and an arm; Smith broke his back and an ankle. Both survived.

Did Sarah Greene marry after Mike Smith’s death?

No. She has not remarried or publicly confirmed a new partner as of 2025.

Does Sarah Greene have children?

No, she and Mike Smith had no children.

What TV series did Sarah Greene star in recently?

Bad Sisters (Apple TV+), Normal People (BBC), and Penny Dreadful (Showtime).

Is Sarah Greene still acting?

Yes. She appeared on The Finish Line in 2023 and continues to take television roles.

What was Sarah Greene’s most famous TV role?

She is best known for co‑presenting Blue Peter (1980–1983) and Going Live! (1987–1993).

Where can I watch Sarah Greene’s recent acting work?

Her performances are available on BBC iPlayer (Normal People), Apple TV+ (Bad Sisters), and streaming platforms for Penny Dreadful.

How did Sarah Greene survive the helicopter crash?

She was pulled from the wreckage by witnesses and airlifted to hospital. Her injuries were severe but not fatal, and she underwent months of rehabilitation.