Page 60 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

A Chat with...

A Crufts Chat

with...

We often see the well-known faces at Crufts, but we won 6 Crufts Champions Titles. Peter was the main
don’t really know much about what they did before commentator for this discipline for 41, yes 41 years.
their involvement with ‘the greatest dog show in the Peter began his long involvement with Crufts in 1979,
world’. In this case I am talking about Peter Purves. commentating upon the Obedience Championship
with Muriel Pearce, continuing until 1989 ending with
The majority of us will have heard about the way in
the relocation of Crufts to the NEC.
which Peters’ services as a Best In Show commentator
were no longer required, which I have no intention of Another six years later in 1986, the new dog sport of
discussing in this article. Having met Peter in 1990 Flyball, was introduced to the Crufts itinerary which
when Crufts moved to the National Exhibition Centre has become a worldwide favourite. In Flyball, a team
(NEC) as part of the team who delivered the BOB of dogs, pedigree or crossbreed, large or small have
information to the commentary box, I can honestly to race against other teams, over a series of hurdles
say, that in all those years, he has not changed one (12 in all) then catch a ball and bring it back to their
bit regarding his love of Crufts and dogs in general. handler. If the dog drops the tennis-sized ball they
By this time Peter had been involved with Crufts for have to start all over again. Once each team has run
twelve years, having introduced Agility to Crufts in their 4 dogs, it’s the team who have completed the
1978, which had been devised by Peter Lewis, but course in the fastest time, whether they have received
never commentated on it. Peter (Purves) began penalties or not. This involved Peter commentating
commentating on Agility at Crufts in 1980, by which on this new facet of Crufts, once more adjusting
time the event was successful in its’ own right. In his commentary style to suit the occasion. Peter
actual fact, 1986 saw the introduction of Flyball, once was particularly adept, at encouraging audience
more, with Peter Lewis in charge. Peter was fortunate participation, making the event a real showstopper.
to be the only commentator for that discipline. These In fact, speaking to some visitors, when I asked why
two disciplines had their own special programme they had come to Crufts and what did they want
until 1996. to see particularly, the answer was flyball. When I
asked why, the response was, more often than not,
Before he became one of the Crufts commentary
team, Peter was a successful actor and singer for was to see it because it was fast, furious and fun!
Additionally, the handler didn’t have to run with their
over ten years, his first job being a singer in the chorus
dog. As with Obedience commentary, Peter was also
line! Peter won an acting role in the famous show,
Dr. Who (when it was originally shown), alongside the standard setter for flyball commentary!
William Hartnell for forty-six episodes throughout For thirteen years, 1990-2003, Peter was involved
1965/6. After that Peter continued with his acting and as the principal presenter, working alongside for the
singing roles with Peter being offered the opportunity first year with Angela Rippon. Thereafter, Peter and
to be involved with Crufts. Jessica Holme commentated upon the whole show,
including all interviews and commentaries. The well-
When Crufts introduced the Obedience category
renowned Mike Stockman was also involved as in later
into the show, Peter was asked to undertake this
commentary, which required a totally different style years Frank Kane became part of the team. In 2004,
Peter stepped back from being the main presenter,
to that of agility. Peter applied the skills that he would
becoming mainly a commentator, with specialist
use as an actor, giving a very smooth and measured
presentation appearances. Peter has total respect
style of commentary. Certainly, no loud voices there,
for Jessica, Frank and previously, Mike Stockman
well until the dog had finished its’ course. At the
time Peter had the pleasure of working alongside in their dedication to the dog world as well as their
encyclopaedic knowledge of all the different breeds.
Muriel Pearce who together, with her dog, Meg
60 - K9 NEWS DIGITAL