Peter Purves facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peter Purves
Purves in 2010
Born	Peter John Purves (1939-02-10) 10 February 1939 (age 86) New Longton, Lancashire, England
Occupation	Television presenter, actor
Years active	1965–present
Notable work	Steven Taylor in Doctor Who (1965–1966) Blue Peter Presenter (1967–1978)
Spouse(s)	Gilly Fraser ​ ​ (m. 1962; div. 1982)​ Kathryn Evans ​ (m. 1982)​
Children	2

Peter John Purves, born on February 10, 1939, is a well-known English television presenter and actor. He started his career as an actor. He became famous for playing Steven Taylor, a companion of the First Doctor, in the TV show Doctor Who from 1965 to 1966. In 1967, he joined the popular children's program Blue Peter as a presenter, staying for eleven years. Peter Purves still appears on television, often covering the famous Crufts dog show.

Peter Purves's Early Life

Peter Purves was born in New Longton, a village near Preston in Lancashire, England. His father was a tailor who also managed a hotel for a short time. Peter went to Arnold School in Blackpool. He also studied at Barrow-in-Furness Grammar School for Boys for a year.

He originally planned to become a teacher. However, he decided to pursue acting instead. He began performing with the Barrow-in-Furness Repertory Company.

Peter Purves in Doctor Who

In 1965, when he was 26, Peter Purves first appeared in Doctor Who. He played a character named Morton Dill in an episode called The Chase. The director, Richard Martin, chose him for the role.

Later in the same story, Peter Purves played a space pilot named Steven Taylor. This role made him very well known to TV viewers. Steven Taylor was one of the early companions who traveled through time with the Doctor. At that time, William Hartnell played the First Doctor.

Peter Purves has shared his memories of making Doctor Who in his autobiography, Here's One I Wrote Earlier. He was also good friends with Jon Pertwee, who played the Third Doctor. Peter has mentioned that he enjoyed the historical Doctor Who stories the most. These included episodes like The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve and The Myth Makers.

He returned to play Steven Taylor in an audio drama called Mother Russia in 2007. He has continued to voice Steven in many other audio dramas since then. In 2023, he played Steven again in the TV series Tales of the TARDIS.

Peter Purves and Blue Peter

Purves in 1976, while covering the White City Rebels for Blue Peter

After leaving Doctor Who, Peter Purves became a main presenter on the children's TV show Blue Peter. He worked on the show from 1967 to 1978. He presented alongside John Noakes and Valerie Singleton at first. Later, he worked with John Noakes and Lesley Judd. Many people remember this as a special time for Blue Peter. Peter Purves is the second longest-serving male presenter on the show, after John Noakes.

Even while on Blue Peter, Peter kept his connection to Doctor Who. He often hosted special features about the show. He also interviewed the actors. These features sometimes showed clips from Doctor Who episodes that are now lost. This included parts of The Daleks' Master Plan, an episode he had appeared in himself.

Dogs have been a big part of Peter Purves's career. During his time on Blue Peter, he was given charge of one of the "Blue Peter Pets." This was Petra, a German Shepherd cross. Peter also presented a spin-off show called Blue Peter Special Assignment.

Peter Purves's Later TV Work

Purves at The Television and Movie Store in Norwich in March 2009

After leaving Blue Peter, Peter Purves presented other shows like Stopwatch and We're Going Places. He also hosted darts events for the BBC. For many years, he presented Kick Start, a BBC1 series about motorcycle trials.

Peter Purves has also made guest appearances in popular TV shows. He was in the soap opera EastEnders. He also appeared in the sitcom The Office. In The Office episode "Training Day," Peter Purves played himself. He was in a customer care training video that the characters watched. Peter is actually a qualified business trainer and a motivational speaker.

For over 40 years, Peter Purves has been involved in TV coverage of major dog shows. This includes the famous Crufts dog show. In 2007, he was a judge on the reality TV show The Underdog Show. He also writes for dog magazines and often presents awards at dog shows. His autobiography, Here's One I Wrote Earlier, was released in 2009.

Peter Purves in Theatre

Peter Purves has worked as a pantomime director. He has directed more than 30 pantomime shows. In December 2012, he acted in Dick Whittington at Harpenden Public Halls. This was his first pantomime performance since 1985. He is also a popular after-dinner speaker.

Peter Purves's Personal Life

Peter Purves has lived in different parts of England. He lived in the Bilton area of Rugby, Warwickshire, and then in Northamptonshire. He now lives in the Suffolk village of Sibton. He lives there with his wife, Kathryn Evans, who is a West End actress.

Peter Purves supports Tottenham Hotspur football club. He went to his first game at White Hart Lane in 1959. In December 2022, the University of Central Lancashire gave Peter Purves an honorary fellowship. A university spokesperson said his "inspirational career" showed a "significant contribution" to television, acting, and presenting.

Peter Purves's TV Career

• Doctor Who (46 episodes, 1965–1966)
• Blue Peter (1967–1978)
• Blue Peter Special Assignment (1977–1981)
• Stopwatch (40 episodes, 1978–1981)
• We're Going Places (23 episodes, 1978–1980)
• Kick Start (1981–1992)
• Tales of the TARDIS (2023, episode "The Time Meddler")

Peter Purves's Audio Dramas

See also

In Spanish: Peter Purves para niños