Purves had already appeared on television prior to joining Blue Peter, playing Dr Who's companion Steven Taylor for 44 episodes alongside the original Dr Who, William Hartnell.
On his website Peter Purves recalls:
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| With William Hartnell in Dr Who |
"Following a couple of leading roles in TV plays I heard that Doctor Who was looking for actors who could 'move' to play giant butterflies and other insects in one of the serials. I went along to meet the director, Richard Martin, who very kindly told me that with the work I had been doing previously it wasn't worth me playing one of the non-speaking roles. However, he told me that if ever he was casting proper acting parts, he would think of me.
A few months later Richard was true to his word when he cast me as Morton Dill in The Chase. I was thrilled to be playing the part, but even more thrilled when I was asked to go with the Producer, Verity Lambert, for a drink at Studio 3, the pub opposite the Riverside Studios. I was dumbfounded when she asked me if I would be interested in joining the cast on a regular basis. Naturally I said 'Yes' and Steven Taylor made his debut appearance three weeks later.
Of all the serials the historical ones were my favourites - particularly The Massacre and The Myth Makers - and I have quite an affection for The Celestial Toymaker.
I finally left the cast of the show in June 1966.
More recently it has been a delight to be involved again. The remastered CDs being launched required some new commentary to add continuity to the original sound tracks and it has been a privilege to have narrated all of the stories in which I took part."
Biddy Baxter chose Peter Purves to play the reliable straight man to action man John Noakes, a role which Purves came to resent as it created a perception that he was somehow less exciting than Noakes and in fairness Purves during ten years on the programme he did build up his own track-record of memorable stunts and challenges, such as driving a car through the side of a furniture van, joining the White Helmets motorbike display team and climbing Black Crag in the Lake District.
On his website Peter Purves gives a forthright though part humorous opinion about the longstanding belief that Noakes did all the stunts:
"This is an old chestnut. He didn't, though he did perform a lot of very high profile stunts that certainly impressed me. But I did my share. I made the Rock Climbing and Air Sea Rescue films. I also filmed Jousting, Stunt Cars, Speedway, Trials Riding and American Grid-Iron Football - there really is a long list of very exciting films. And if you weren't impressed with my walking the suspension cable of the Forth Road Bridge, then I give up!".
Like Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves was and remains the consummate professional though on occasion he joined the celebrated Blue Peter gallery of gaffs such as a piece about the little dog called Pickles who had discovered the stolen World Cup but later broke his own neck when he was chasing a cat and his lead got caught on a gate. "It serves him right for chasing cats" said Purves live on air, incurring the wrath of the formidable Biddy Baxter.
Valerie, Peter and John became known as the 'dream team' on the basis they are remembered as the archetypal team of Blue Peter presenters which generations of presenters afterwards have attempted to emulate. Noakes and Purves gained the additional title of 'the likely lads'.
Peter Purves is also the presenter who looked after Blue Peter's first dog Petra. As Biddy Baxter and Edward Barnes recalled:
"Peter's arrival was great news for Petra. Chris had never taken Petra on as his own dog. She was looked after by Angela Mulliner, who was the programme's dog advisor. But Peter took to Petra immediately and she went to live with him as a family pet, as Patch had done with John. This made all the difference to the happiness of the dogs and to the dogs' performances on the programme. Not only did they respond more readily to their masters in the doggy items, but they would follow them about the studio and trot alongside them on location, which made them truly members of the team."
Peter Purves once said that announcing Petra's death to Blue Peter viewers was the hardest thing he ever had to do on television.
Purves left Blue Peter on 23rd March 1978. He went on to make a name in sports commentating, becoming the voice of darts in the 1980s and also pursued his lifelong passion for dogs on television. Peter first started presenting at Crufts Dog Show for the BBC in 1976 and has been principal Presenter and Commentator since 1989. He has also presented and narrated many other animal programmes, including 65 editions of Pets Go Public for Channel 5, the Discovery Channel's Breed All About It, All About Dogs and Superdogs. He has been editor of the monthly magazine, Mad About Dogs, is Vice Patron of Dogs for the Disabled and President of The Canine Supporters Charity and the Rugby Animal Trust.
References
Blue Peter 50th Anniversary - Richard Marson
Blue Peter The Inside Story - Biddy Baxter and Edward Barnes
Peter Purves Official Website
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