A classic companion
This week in 1965, episode three of ‘The Chase’ featured the first appearance in Doctor Who of Peter Purves. Initially cast for one episode as American tourist Morton Dill, Peter impressed the production team sufficiently that he was brought back in episode six of the same serial to play astronaut Steven Taylor, who would go on to become a loyal companion of the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell. Ultimately Peter would appear in a total of 46 episodes of Doctor Who.
Peter Purves was born on 10th February, 1939, in New Longton, Lancashire, England. Raised in a working-class family, he developed a passion for acting at a young age and, after initially pursuing a career in teaching, he joined the weekly repertory company at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Barrow-in-Furness.
Peter’s career took a significant turn when he was cast as Steven in Doctor Who, with his character quickly becoming a fan favourite, known for his bravery, quick wit, and strong moral compass. Written by Terry Nation and directed by Richard Martin, ‘The Chase’ featured the Daleks doing battle with the Mechonoids, which the BBC hoped would prove as popular as their rivals from Skaro and lead to a merchandising boom. Besides the first appearance of Steven, the serial also marks the departure of original companions Barbara and Ian, played by Jacqueline Hill and William Russell.
Peter Purves’s time on Doctor Who endeared him to a generation of viewers and established him as a prominent figure in British television. After leaving the show, he transitioned into television presenting, becoming well-known as a host of the popular children’s programme Blue Peter. This was a role he held from 1967 to 1978, making him one of the show’s longest-serving presenters. Peter’s warm and friendly manner endeared him to young audiences, and his lengthy tenure on the show (co-hosting with John Noakes and, initially, Valerie Singleton) made him one of the most recognisable faces on British television. Purves often played “big brother” to Noakes’ cheeky antics, but he saw his fair share of escapades too, including climbing the Forth Bridge, training with the Royal Signals Motorbike Display Team, and taking part in a medieval jousting tournament. He also looked after one of the show’s much-loved dogs, Petra.
Beyond Blue Peter, Peter Purves continued to work as a presenter and host on various programmes, showcasing his versatility and broad range of skills. Throughout his career, he has been an ambassador for Doctor Who and has regularly attended conventions and fan events, delighting audiences with his stories and anecdotes from his time on the show; and has reprised the role of Steven Taylor in several Big Finish audio adventures. His contributions to the series, along with his charming on- and off-screen presence, have made him a beloved figure among Doctor Who fans worldwide.
In December 2022, Peter received an honorary fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire for his ‘inspirational career’ and ‘significant contribution in services to television, in acting and presenting’.
Here at Fantom we have been delighted to welcome Peter as a guest at several of our events, most recently last weekend at Utopia 2023. He can also be heard on two of our series of Who Talk commentaries, The Massacre and Day of Armageddon, available now on CD and to download.
