Blue Peter presenter John Noakes dies aged 83

Former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes has died at the age of 83 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Noakes is the BBC show's longest-serving star, having co-presented Blue Peter for more than 12 years between 1965 and 1978.

He was best known for appearing on air with his border collie Shep, one of the programme's pets.

Announcing the TV personality's death, family friend Wendy Downes said in a statement: "John Noakes died peacefully on Sunday morning, 28 May.

"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 and that is how his family would like him remembered."

During his long tenure on Blue Peter, Noakes became known as the show's action man.

His many stunts included a number of parachute jumps, climbing Nelson's Column without a safety harness and taking part in a bobsleigh run.

Like most Blue Peter presenters, Noakes took care of one of the show's pets. After the death of his first dog Patch he was given a puppy christened Shep by viewers.

It led to Noakes' common cry "Get down, Shep!" becoming a catchphrase on the show.

Peter Purves, who spent a decade co-presenting Blue Peter alongside Noakes, described him as "unique", telling the BBC: "He had qualities no one else had and he'll be remembered very fondly by a lot of people, and none more so than me."

Noakes, Purves and Val Singleton presented Blue Peter as a famous trio from 1967 until 1972.

Purves added Noakes' death could be considered a "blessing" as he had been "suffering badly" from Alzheimer's in recent years.

In 2015, Noakes' wife Vicky alerted police after he disappeared in near 36C (96.8F) heat close to his home in Majorca.

After more than eight hours missing he was discovered by a police helicopter in a storm drain, and taken to hospital.

Gethin Jones, who presented Blue Peter for three years from 2005, was among many of Noakes' successors to pay tribute to the star.

He posted on Twitter: "A brilliant host. A brutal disease."

Katy Hill described Noakes as "legendary" and "the best" as she revealed he had "inspired" her to become a presenter on the show.

Konnie Huq, the longest-serving female Blue Peter presenter, wrote: "John Noakes. Best Blue Peter presenter ever. RIP. So sad."

Born in Shelf, Yorkshire, Noakes had trained as an aircraft engine fitter before moving into television.

After leaving Blue Peter, he presented other TV programmes, wrote a children's book and made an unsuccessful attempt with Vicky to sail around the world.

The couple had settled in Majorca to run a boat rental business.