MUCH-loved Blue Peter presenter John Noakes, who once lived in Churt with his faithful collie and fellow TV star Shep, has died aged 83.

Noakes joined the BBC children’s show in 1965 and he, Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves are widely regarded as the show’s greatest ever team of presenters.

A Blue Peter presenter for 12 years, Noakes was renowned for his daredevil can-do attitude.

He was rarely seen on screen without Shep, from the dog’s arrival at Blue Peter in 1971 and The Barron Knights recorded a 1978 novelty song ‘Get Down, Shep’, about Noakes’s relationship with the dog he called his “straight man”.

Since 1976, he presented Go With Noakes, a BBC children’s show featuring outdoor adventures, such as motor racing, rowing, aerobatics and painting, accompanied by Shep, which lasted for five series until 1980.

In 1979 he published a book of stories for children, ‘The Flight of the Magic Clog’.

In 1982, with his wife, Vicky, Noakes set off for the Caribbean in his own boat, intending to live there. But the boat was hit by a 60ft wave and the couple were rescued by the crew of a passing tanker.

Noakes broke two ribs and suffered a deep cut above one eye that left a permanent scar.

The Caribbean plan was shelved and ultimately Noakes and his wife settled in Majorca, where they lived for many years near Andratx.

Announcing his death , the family said: “He had endured and suffered from Alzheimer’s over recent years and 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.

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