Peter Purves (born February 10, 1939) is a British actor and television presenter.
Purves was born in Lancashire, England, and originally planned to go into teaching, but began acting with the Barrow-in-Furness Repertory Company. He first became well-known to television audiences in the mid-1960s as Steven Taylor, one of the Doctor's companions in the programme Doctor Who.
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. For much of that time, he co-presented with John Noakes and Valerie Singleton, and was so closely associated with the programme, especially as the sensible stiff and slightly dull one, that he found the image difficult to shake off afterwards. His subsequent career has mainly been as a presenter, frequently for major dog shows such as Crufts. He was also host of the long-running BBC TV motorbike trials series Kick Start.
He has also made cameo appearances as himself in episodes of programmes such as the soap opera EastEnders and the hugely popular sitcom The Office.
Purves now lives in the Northamptonshire village of Cogenhoe.
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