“And incidentally, a Merry Christmas to all of you at home!”
The 87-year-old former Doctor Who companion actor Peter Purves has a new film role, as Father Christmas!
He’s appearing in a new family movie, Santa Express, which is currently filming in and around York, one of the UK’s finest cities.
Says Peter: “I have never played Santa Claus before, so it is nice, at my age, to be doing something totally new.”
From Morton Dill to St Nick
Peter Purves is most famous to Doctor Who fans as Steven Taylor, who travelled with the Doctor from the planet Mechanus in The Chase to a distant world in the far future in The Savages (1965-66). His time in the TARDIS coincided with that one time the Doctor wished us all a Merry Christmas, which seems somewhat apt. (He also appeared in Doctor Who earlier in The Chase, playing American tourist Morton Dill.)
Peter went on to co-host Blue Peter, present the superb Kick Start, and the Crufts dog show on BBC TV, and has appeared in many Big Finish audios.
Talking about Santa Express, Peter says: “Doctor Who has given me a wonderful connection with audiences across generations. I hope those fans will enjoy seeing me as Father Christmas in Santa Express—and sharing a little Christmas magic with their families.”
I’m particularly intrigued by this movie, which is being filmed on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which is pretty much on my doorstep. It has a long-running annual “Santa Express” which I’ve travelled on many times with my children (and as a child myself!).
Santa Express follows Bob Browning, whose dream of playing Santa on a local steam railway leads him into a magical world. Combining comedy, romance and festive adventure, it is a story about family, second chances and rediscovering the wonder of Christmas.
Starring in the movie is Daniel Coll, who is directing and producing, from the screenplay by David C. Thorp. You might recognise Coll from Emmerdale or Coronation Street. Coll and Purves are joined by the actual Toyal Willcox, along with Victoria Ekanoye, Lisa George, Olwen May and Joe Savino.
You can learn more on the film’s website at santaexpressthemovie.com — I personally cannot wait!
