Born in Redruth, Cornwall, to Gerald, a solicitor, and his wife, Jeanne (nee Vollar), Peter was the third of seven siblings. His father died when Peter was young, and the family relocated to Brixton, south London, and later Surrey. During this period he showed an early talent for acting in Scout Association Gang Show stage productions, which led to a number of roles in repertory theatre, including Pip in Great Expectations opposite Donald Sutherland.

Doctor Who: The War Games

The Dreamstone

Wings

Doctor Who

The Professionals

Blake's 7

Z-Cars

Minder

Shoestring

Bergerac

Doctor Who: The Space Museum

Doctor Who: Nightmare of Eden

The Enigma Files

Dixon of Dock Green

The Beast in the Cellar

Hitler's SS: Portrait in Evil

Angels

If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them

The Secret of Blood Island

Quiet Afternoon

Blake's 7: Duel

Martin Chuzzlewit