- Peter Purves
Infobox actor
name = Peter Purves
imagesize = 150px
caption =
birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1939|2|10|df=y
birthplace =Preston ,Lancashire ,England
deathdate =
deathplace =
othername =
website = http://www.peterpurves.com
occupation =Actor and Television presenterPeter Purves (born
February 10 ,1939 ) is an Englishactor andtelevision presenter .Purves was born in New Longton, near
Preston ,Lancashire , England, went to the independentArnold School inBlackpool and originally planned to go into teaching, training atAlsager College of Education, but began acting with theBarrow-in-Furness Repertory Company.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 byWilliam Hartnell . [ [http://www.kasterborous.com/interviews.asp?id=436 Peter Purves Interview - Interviews - Doctor Who - Online Magazine & Fan Site ] ] 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 from1967 to1978 . 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.Blue Peter
Purves co-presented "Blue Peter" with
John Noakes andValerie Singleton in the so called "golden age" of the programme best remembered bybaby 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-runningBBC1 motorbike trials series "Kick Start".Other television appearances
His recent TV career has included cameo appearances in episodes of programmes such as the
soap opera "EastEnders " andsitcoms "The Office" and "I'm Alan Partridge ". In "The Office" episode "Training Day" Purves played himself in a customer care training video thatDavid 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. On 31st July 2008 he was bitten by a West Highland terrier whilst judging a dog show at a garden centre in Norwich. Purves was taken to theNorfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he received treatment to his hand.In the theatre, Purves is a noted
pantomime director enjoying a good working relationship with theChuckle Brothers . He is also an after-dinner speaker.Purves now lives in the
Suffolk village ofSibton . [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/3402751.stm|title=Blue Peter star's fire drama|source=BBC News Online |date=2004-01-16 |accessdate=2006-08-17] In 2008,Valerie Singleton revealed she had had a "brief fling" with Purves. [BBC [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468933.stm Singleton reveals Purves 'fling']23 June 2008 ]References
External links
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/bluepeter/presenters/purves.shtml Peter Purves]
BBC Blue Peter
*imdb name|id=0701007|name = Peter PurvesPersondata
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=
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