Peter Purves' Doctor Who Archive Picks

Although he is best known as a TV presenter, Peter Purves began his career as an actor and in 1965 appeared in an episode of Doctor Who. He so impressed the production team that he was asked to return a few weeks later to play the part of Steven Taylor, companion to William Hartnell’s First Doctor. He appeared in 45 episodes, meeting characters from history as well as Daleks, Chumblies and The Toymaker, before leaving to help build a new civilisation in the far future.

Outside the world of Doctor Who, Peter went on to be a presenter on Blue Peter, which allowed him to maintain a connection with the series by regularly featuring items on Doctor Who. More recently he was reunited onscreen with Maureen O’Brien (Vicki) in the Tales of the TARDIS (2023).

So, who better to ask to choose some highlights from the collections, and share his thoughts with BBC Archives …

“Blue Peter was right on the ball with this clip - but my socks? Hideous! But that first regeneration of the Doctor was quite wonderful, and the reason the show has been able to continue for so long was because it really worked. From then on there were no limits.”

Peter Purves

“What is there to say apart from this being one of the best portraits of the man who made the series viable. A true star.”

Peter Purves

“This is a wonderful clip - all true fans should listen to this. This is how brilliant the original team was, working in the most antiquated studio. My first Blue Peter programmes were made in the same studio.”

Peter Purves

“I first heard this lovely clip on Russ’s [William Russell] 99th birthday. His first sighting of them must have been hilarious. I felt very much the same when I met the Daleks in rehearsal, though by then they were fully established.”

Peter Purves

“This is a clip I had completely forgotten - there was some sort of strike going on, but BP wasn’t to be beaten. I think we only had the basic studio work lights, but somehow we muddled through. Nice to see it again.”

Peter Purves