# Former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes dies at 83

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 29, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643 "2017-05-29T12:09:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/1 "2017-05-29T12:09:37Z")

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The BBC children’s show’s longest-serving presenter, appearing for more than 12 years, and was often seen with his dog Shep by his side.

A family statement said he had “endured and suffered from” Alzheimer’s disease.  
“Whilst he will be greatly missed by his wife, family and many friends his release from continuing ill health must be counted as a blessing,” it said.

“His many escapades with his faithful companion Shep, during his time with Blue Peter, will live on in many peoples memories. That is how his family would like him remembered.”

And not even a whiff of scandal about him.

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**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/2 "2017-05-29T13:09:56Z")

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He was the action man of Blue Peter. Here’s him climbing Nelson’s Column with no safety equipment:

That overhang of jury-rigged ladders is quite something. He held the freefall parachute height record for a UK civilian for a while - 25,000 feet iirc.

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/3 "2017-05-29T14:40:03Z")

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The Guardian have a [picture gallery](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/gallery/2017/may/29/blue-peter-legend-john-noakes-a-life-in-pictures) of him.

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/4 "2017-05-30T00:37:33Z")

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Was he the guy who plucked his twanger while Jane played with her maracas? 🆒😉

I’ve been trying to find that video all over the Internet, but it seems to have vanished. Damn! ☹

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/5 "2017-05-30T06:56:44Z")

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No, that was Rainbow.

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**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/6 "2017-05-30T07:01:29Z")

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And another pillar of my childhood is gone. Thankfully this one naturally of old age, rather than by Operation Yewtree.

Get down Shep!

Edit: **terentii** [this is what you’re looking for](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgbcQIT7BMc). Different programme, different ethos. Blue Peter was educational and somewhat less patronizing.

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-blue-peter-presenter-john-noakes-dies-at-83/787643/7 "2017-05-30T07:26:30Z")

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> [@jjimm](#):
>
> Edit: **terentii** [this is what you’re looking for](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgbcQIT7BMc). Different programme, different ethos. Blue Peter was educational and somewhat less patronizing.

That’s it! Love those sweaters! 🆒