Peter Purves

'Peter Purves' (qv) was born in New Longton, Lancashire on 10 February 1939. After leaving school he took a four-year teacher-training course. In 1961, after only one year as a teacher, he turned to acting, initially with the Barrow-in-Furness Repertory Company and later with the Wimbleton Theatre Company.An early TV role was in the BBC's legendary police series _Z Cars (1962)_ (qv) and more TV work followed, including a play called _Armchair Theatre: The Girl in the Picture (1964)_ (qv) and an episode of _The Villains (1964)_ (qv). In 1965 he auditioned for the part of a Menoptra in the Doctor Who story "The Web Planet", but was turned down. However, the director, 'Richard Martin' (qv), later cast him as Morton Dill in _Doctor Who: Flight Through Eternity (1965)_ (qv), and this led to him playing regular character Steven Taylor.After _Doctor Who (1963)_ (qv), Purves became a regular presenter on the children's magazine programme _Blue Peter (1958)_ (qv). More presenting work followed, primarily on sports-based programmes. He has also been managing director of a video production company.::Anonymous