Peter Purves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Peter Purves | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 February 1939 Preston, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Actor and Television presenter |
| Official website | |
Peter Purves (born February 10, 1939) is an English actor and television presenter.
Purves was born in New Longton, near Preston, Lancashire, England, went to the independent Arnold School in Blackpool and originally planned to go into teaching, training at Alsager College of Education, but began acting with the Barrow-in-Furness Repertory Company.
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[edit] Doctor Who
He first became well-known to television audiences in the mid-1960s as Steven Taylor, one of the early time-travelling companions in the programme Doctor Who, acting opposite the Doctor played by William Hartnell. [1] After leaving Doctor Who, Purves became a regular presenter on the children's magazine programme Blue Peter, and was one of the longest-serving, lasting from 1967 to 1978. Purves maintained his connection to Doctor Who throughout his time on Blue Peter, often hosting special features on the programme and interviewing the actors. These included many clips from episodes which are otherwise now lost.
[edit] Blue Peter
Purves co-presented Blue Peter with John Noakes and Valerie Singleton in the so called "golden age" of the programme best remembered by baby boomers. He was so closely associated with the programme, especially as "the sensible one", that he found the image difficult to shake off afterwards. Purves was, however, able to move on to other areas of presenting including a spell as the front man for BBC darts coverage. But, Blue Peter apart, he is probably best known as host of the long-running BBC1 motorbike trials series Kick Start.
[edit] Other Television Appearances
His recent TV career has included cameo appearances in episodes of programmes such as the soap opera EastEnders and sitcoms The Office and I'm Alan Partridge. In The Office episode "Training Day" Purves played himself in a customer care training video that David Brent and his staff were being shown (incidentally, Purves is a qualified business trainer and a motivational speaker). In I'm Alan Partridge, Purves featured in one of Partridge's typically bizarre anecdotes, the punchline of which was the pun "don't be blue, Peter".
Dogs have featured in Purves's career from his Blue Peter days. He was given charge of one of the "Blue Peter Pets", Petra, a German Shepherd cross. This led to a thirty year association with television coverage of major dog shows such as Crufts and in 2007 his appearance as a judge on the reality TV programme The Underdog Show. Purves also writes for the dog press and regularly presents at dog award shows.
In the theatre Purves is a noted pantomime director enjoying a good working relationship with the Chuckle Brothers. He is also an after-dinner speaker.
Purves now lives in the Suffolk village of Sibton.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Peter Purves Interview - Interviews - Doctor Who - Online Magazine & Fan Site
- ^ Blue Peter star's fire drama (2004-01-16). Retrieved on 2006-08-17.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Christopher Trace |
Blue Peter Presenter No. 6 1967-78 |
Succeeded by Simon Groom |
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Purves, Peter |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | English actor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 10, 1939 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Preston, Lancashire, England, UK |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
