Peter Purves, known for his roles on "Doctor Who" and "Blue Peter," has publicly criticized the BBC for the loss of numerous classic episodes of the long-running science fiction series, including several from the 1960s in which he appeared. Purves, who played a companion to the original incarnation of the Time Lord portrayed by William Hartnell, expressed frustration over the broadcaster’s archival practices.

Despite ongoing efforts, a significant number of early episodes remain missing, although some have recently resurfaced. Notably, two episodes from the third season serial "The Daleks’ Master Plan" were recovered and aired earlier this year, offering a rare glimpse into the show's early history. However, many others have yet to be found or restored.

Purves attributed the issue to inadequate archiving, stating that the BBC’s failure to properly preserve its programming has resulted in the loss of episodes that have not been broadcast since their initial run. His comments come as he promotes his upcoming film, "Santa Express," scheduled for release next winter.

Efforts to locate and restore the missing episodes have been supported by organizations like the charity Film Is Fabulous, which is actively involved in tracking down and preserving classic television content. The ongoing search highlights the challenges broadcasters face in maintaining comprehensive archives of historic programming, especially from the era when film and videotape were reused or discarded.