He first became well-known to television audiences in the mid-1960s as Steven Taylor in 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 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 Suffolk village of Sibton.