Steven was a space pilot captured by the Mechonoids and kept prisoner in their metal city for two years (R) prior to being freed when the Daleks attacked. Although separated from the TARDIS crew, Steven managed to find his way to the TARDIS and stowed away, until discovered by the Doctor and Vicki. Argumentative and frequently over-reactive, he stayed in the TARDIS.

He encountered the Meddling Monk, and the Drahvins.  He fought (as Diomedi) during the Trojan War, and faced the Daleks, and the Monoids. and the Celestial Toymaker.  Before The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, he saved the life of Anne Chaplet, one of Dodo's ancestors.  He faced a challenging battle against the Celestial Toymaker and various sojourns, amongst others, to the Wild West where he was almost lynched, until he was rescued by Wyatt Earp (Z). 

When it became apparent to Steven that following the conflict between the Savages and the Elders which he, the Doctor and Dodo Chaplet had become involved in, the two races needed to come together under one strong leader. When asked, he remained with them (AA).

Peter Purves was born in New Langton, 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.

His first TV role was during 50's and 60's in police drama "Z Cars" and more TV work followed, including leads in an "Armchair Theatre" presentation called "The Girl in the Picture" in 1964 and in an episode of "The Villains" in 1965.

Late in 1964 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, later cast him as Morton Dill in "The Chase", and this led to him playing Steven Taylor.

Peter has had probably the most successful career after "Doctor Who", becoming front man of long-running children's magazine programme"Blue Peter". More presenting work followed, primarily on sports-based programmes, and it is for this that he is now best known. He has also been managing director of a video production company. Peter can now be seen every year covering the world's top Dog Show, Crufts.

He is married to writer Gilly Frazer and has two children.