Tributes as Blue Peter’s John Noakes dies at 83

FORMER Blue Peter presenters were among the first stars to pay tribute to show “legend” John Noakes who died peacefully in his sleep.

The 83-year-old was the programme’s longest-serving presenter.

As reported in last night’s home delivery editions, the Yorkshire-born star worked on the children’s show for 12 and a half years in the 1960s and 1970s, when he developed a reputation as the show’s action man.

Peter Purves, who co-presented Blue Peter with Noakes, said: “Very sad, very sad indeed.

“But I think as his family have said it really is a blessing. He was suffering badly from Alzheimer’s in recent years, and in the very recent years.”

He described Noakes as “unique”, adding a former Blue Peter editor reckoned he was “the best presenter ever”.

Purves said: “He had qualities that no one else had and he will be remembered very fondly by a lot of people and none more so than me.”

Purves said Noakes would like to be remembered as “the daredevil on Blue Peter”.

He added: “He was a happy-go-lucky guy in many ways. He was actually quite serious as well, and very, very shy.”

His family said he died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning and that they hoped Noakes would be remembered for “his many escapades with his faithful companion Shep” during his time on the TV show.

He was also known for his partnership with canine stars of the programme, Patch, the first Blue Peter dog Petra’s puppy, and the border collie Shep, who inspired Noakes’s catchphrase: “Get down, Shep!”

As well as Blue Peter, he made 1970s travelogue spinoff Go With Noakes, where he travelled around the UK with Shep alongside him.

Fellow presenters paid tribute. Konnie Huq went on Twitter to express her sorrow, writing: “John Noakes. Best Blue Peter presenter ever. RIP. So sad.”

Anthea Turner called the presenter a “Blue Peter favourite”, and Zoe Salmon, who presented the show between 2004 and 2008, tweeted: “I am deeply saddened to hear about John Noakes, a Blue Peter legend who will live on in our hearts.”

Katy Hill credited Noakes for her desire to present the children’s show. She wrote on the social media site: “Saddest news about the legendary John Noakes who inspired me to want to present Blue Peter.”

Former presenter turned actress and author Janet Ellis, said: “The best, bravest, funniest BP presenter.”

Blue Peter presenters in 1972, from left, Peter Purves, Lesley Judd, Valerie Singleton and John Noakes with his dog Shep

John with Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton at a reunion in 2000, and right, with later Blue Peter presenters Caron Keating and Anthea Turner in 1993

The infamous Blue Peter episode with John Noakes and Lulu the unruly elephant, who made several attempts to escape

John became the show’s longest-serving presenter