Peter Purves

Internationally renowned actor and presenter, Peter Purves is best known for his role as the voice of Crufts for over forty years. A legend of the media industry, Peter has specialised in hosting shows on animals and the great outdoors and has had an equally impressive career as an actor in the likes of Doctor Who. With sixty years spent at the forefront of television, Peter is ideal as an after dinner speaker, able to share insights into an unrivalled career, both in longevity and versatility, entertaining audiences all evening long.

Peter began his presenting career in 1967 on the iconic children’s programme, Blue Peter. For twelve years, the second longest period of any male presenter, Peter fronted the golden years of the show and gained a trusted rapport with viewers and industry professionals alike. After leaving Blue Peter, he was highly in demand and continued to present a wealth of informative and entertaining programmes including: Pets Go Public, Breed All About it, and The Underdog Show. Most recently he has starred in a number of episodes of ‘Secrets of the National Trust’ and as well as appearing as a celebrity guest on the likes of Antiques Roadshow.

Showing an undeniable bond with his on screen and off screen pet, Petra the Blue Peter dog, saw Peter become invited to host the world’s greatest dog show; Crufts. Making his debut appearance as the live commentator and present for the BBC in 1978, Peter transferred his passion for the furry friends into engaging content for viewers at home. For a total of forty one years Peter fronted Crufts and was a best loved feature of the week long event for many. Since Crufts, Peter has had the honour of judging and hosting dog shows across the country, as well as the dog arena at Countryfile Live and editing the monthly publication of ‘Peter Purves’ Mad About Dogs’.

A truly versatile professional, Peter has had an iconic acting career spanning stage and screen. His most revered role was in Doctor Who as Steven Taylor, a character he played periodically for a decade between 2007 and 2017, and is synonymous with fans around the world. As a pantomime director he has developed over thirty Christmas shows and recently starred in an Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Once Seen on Blue Peter’ which received rave reviewers and proved his relevance sixty years after the start of his career. A legend of the stage and screen, fans of Peter’s cover generations and industries, from Crufts to Doctor Who, making his the ideal after dinner speaker to entertain guests.