Peter Purves, renowned for his role as Steven Taylor, a companion to the Doctor in the popular series Doctor Who, has expressed thoughts on the series’ lost episodes, several of which include him.
Over 97 episodes from the first six seasons of the show have vanished since the BBC discarded or reused tapes during the 1960s and 1970s as a means to conserve storage and budget. Among these lost episodes, Purves acted in a total of 46 Doctor Who installments, with 30 of those performances now irretrievably missing.
In an interview with Doctor Who Magazine this month, Purves expressed that he had essentially given up on the hope that any of them might ever be discovered.
He expressed, “What I’m experiencing most strongly right now is frustration.” He went on to criticize the BBC for their careless spending and lack of foresight. They failed to save the telecine copies, which he found incomprehensible. In his opinion, such a decision was incredibly foolish.
When asked about what stories fans might be most regretful to have missed, Purves expressed that it’s quite unfortunate that “The Massacre” is no longer available.
I’m eager to rewatch ‘The Myth Makers.’ Fans are hoping for ‘The Daleks’ Master Plan,’ but I don’t think we’ll be able to find it again.
Additionally, Purves pondered over the 1965 Christmas special titled “The Feast of Steven,” which partially unfolded within the setting of a vintage Hollywood silent film studio.
The cinema experience I adore encompasses everything that I love. Among silent films, I hold a special affection for those that are well-made. Laurel and Hardy undeniably fit this category. As for Chaplin, he didn’t resonate with me – his work seemed too emotional and overly sentimental. However, Buster Keaton stood out as the ultimate mastermind in my book. Truly brilliant, he is my idol beyond compare.
I truly love well-executed comedy with a touch of slapstick, and the humor of the Keystone Cops still tickles my funny bone. That same blend can be found in ‘The Feast of Steven.’
Previously this year, Sue Malden, the BBC’s pioneer archivist responsible for recovering the lost Doctor Who episodes, expressed optimism that might please fans.
She stated, “Each individual has been logged, I believe. They must exist somewhere. In fact, we now suspect that we’ve identified a few potential locations where they could possibly be found.
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 619 is on sale now from panini.co.uk and WHSmith priced £7.99 (UK).
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2025-07-17 19:35