Mail television critic and novelist Philip Purser dies aged 96

Mail television critic and novelist Philip Purser who wrote thrillers and saw action in Italy and the Middle East with the Royal Engineers dies aged 96 after battle with Alzheimer’s

• Mr Purser was one of the longest serving critics in the industry
• Born in 1925 in Hertfordshire, he is survived by wife Ann and their three children
• Mr Purser had a successful career at The Mail and The Sunday Telegraph 

Journalist and novelist Philip Purser, a former television critic for the Daily Mail, has died aged 96.

Mr Purser was one of the longest-serving critics in the industry, and a vehement opponent of Mary Whitehouse’s National Viewers’ and Listeners’ Association. He went on to write thrillers and television scripts, including the 1978 drama-documentary The One and Only Phyllis Dixey, which was nominated for five Baftas.

Born in 1925 in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, Mr Purser joined the Royal Engineers and saw action in Italy and the Middle East.

Journalist and novelist Philip Purser, a former television critic for the Daily Mail, has died aged 96

Mr Purser, who suffered from Alzheimer’s in his later years, died on August 1. He is survived by his wife, crime novelist Ann Purser, and their three children

In 1955, he was appointed as an assistant to the Mail’s television critic, Peter Black. He was eventually given his own column, and joined the Sunday Telegraph in 1961, where he remained for 26 years. He returned to reviewing for the Mail in the 1980s and 90s, and became a co-editor of Halliwell’s Television Companion.

Mr Purser, who suffered from Alzheimer’s in his later years, died on August 1. He is survived by his wife, crime novelist Ann Purser, and their three children.

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