I am sad to hear that John Noakes, a prime figure of my television childhood, has died at the age of 83. My younger reader might not have heard of Noakes but to many children of all ages, he was the children’s TV presenter.
Noakes was a presenter of the show Blue Peter in the days when children’s TV was shown on mainstream channels instead of specialist children’s channels. He was the presenter who fearlessly jumped out of planes, climbed massive chimneys and apparently risked life and limb doing all manner of stunts without a stunt double. More than slightly eccentric, Noakes won the hearts of a young generation, as did his famous dog Shep. In fact, to a certain generation, the term “Get down, Shep!” still remains to the bewilderment of young folk everywhere.
His family also expressed some relief at his passing because, for his final years, Noakes suffered from the evils of Alzheimer’s disease. Now, they said, he suffered no more. Having come across the illness a great deal in my life, especially through various jobs I have had over the years, I completely understand this. To quote a family friend: “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.”
I can only imagine how awful it must have been for Noakes as he lost his ability to function and for his poor family who lost him altogether. In truth, as happens with this most evil of diseases, the sufferer ceases to live long before life seeps away. It is life for life’s sake and someone who lived life to the full, like Noakes, did not deserve this ending. Nobody does.
RIP John Noakes. Another pivotal link with the past gone but at least he suffers no more.
