To children in the '60s and '70s, JOHN NOAKES was a sort of big brother figure on the BBC's BLUE PETER children's magazine show, so it's sad to learn that he's passed away at the age of 83. If you're around my age, then there goes another part of all our yesterdays. "Get down, Shep!" was never intended to be a catchphrase, but that's what it became. I doubt that anyone can think of Noaksie without simultaneously hearing that line in their head.
Another childhood legend gone, alas. Condolences to all his family and friends at this very sad time.
******
And below is John in action in 1977. What amazes me is that I was a working 'adult' when this was first broadcast, yet I tend to associate it more with my childhood or early teenage years.
A smashing bloke and by all accounts a real honest and genuine guy. While Peter Purves was standing around looking handsome and Valerie Singleton was talking endlessly about Marie Antoinette and twatting about Europe with Princess Anne it was Noakes who put life and limb at risk with those ridiculous stunts the production crew set up for him, i often wonder if they sometimes thought him a figure of fun by getting him to do those horrendously dangerous things and he was too decent to refuse. He was the true star of Blue Peter for many of us as he didn't have that middle class patronising attitude other presenters had and youfelt as if you knew him.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess that I was never aware of the 'middle class' thing when I watched Blue Peter as a kid because everybody spoke that way on the telly. However, you're right, John Noakes was the star (after Bleep & Booster of course), but every star needs a 'straight man' (or woman) and Peter and Val (and Chris and Lesley) fulfilled these roles admirably. Although that does them a disservice, because the chemistry between them all was what made the show so memorable at times. Yes, I really am that old - I remember Christopher Trace from his time on the programme.
ReplyDeleteI didn't cry when my parents and near relatives died, but I cried at the news of this. Surprised myself, but maybe that's more to do with the state of me right now than anything else.. Better stay away from the keyboard for a while, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt's yet another nail in the coffin of our childhoods, JS (those of a certain age anyway) - not long after Roger Moore too. It's a sad time right enough.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all, that's been said.It really feels like part of my childhood just vanished. Such happy telly memories.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I watched Blue Peter religiously, OD, but I saw enough of them for the show to be a presence in my life. (And, of course, doesn't it always seem, in retrospect, that we saw more episodes than we actually did of certain shows from our youth?) To think that John Noakes was part of my life from childhood to adulthood is rather amazing. It's like losing a favourite uncle.
ReplyDeleteI heard this on the radio yesterday and me & the missus were talking about it. Coincidentally, I myself was referring to him as "Noaksie" AND I brought up his catchphrase too! I said that he would h
ReplyDeleteContinued....
ReplyDeletehave a go at absolutely ANYTHING, no matter how dangerous!
Blue Peter would also sometimes have pop stars of the day on, like Freddie and The Dreamers, which was great for pop music nuts, like I used to be!
Aye, pretty soon, there's going to be nobody left!
Funnily enough, I typed 'Noaksie', but felt it didn't look right, so retyped it as 'Noakesie', which also doesn't look right. I'm still not sure which is correct. I loved Bleep & Booster on the show, wasn't much of a 'pop music nut' - though I AM probably a nut.
ReplyDeleteThere was always two camps around during those early seventies years. Those who watched Magpie and those like myself who followed Blue Peter. I preferred the latter chiefly because of John Noakes and his amiable down to earth derring do.
ReplyDeleteMagpie tried to be hip with the kids. More colourful and dynamic,as I remember,but I still preferred the comfortableness of Peter John and Val.
Always felt they would be there even after the fads had come and gone.
Another part of my childhood slowly but surely eroding away as all things must do,I guess.
Only question is....who's next?
I actually watched both programmes from time to time, Moony. I couldn't say if they were on alternate days or the same days, but if the latter, I must've channel-hopped between them. However, Blue Peter had the advantage because of Bleep & Booster. Having said that though, the lure of Susan Stranks (then Jenny Hanley) was sometimes hard to resist and B&B would be neglected on occasion.
ReplyDeleteI've said this before but a part of your childhood does not die just because some presenter or other from the '60s/'70s dies - your childhood died decades ago but you can still see John Noakes or whoever on YouTube anytime you want and briefly recreate a moment from childhood - it makes no difference whether Noakes is alive or dead. Talking of Magpie - I remember they had a spoof Blue Peter badge featuring a man with a blue face and a noose around his neck. At the time I was a bit taken aback by such a violent image on a kids TV show - I still am !
ReplyDeleteYes, you've said it before, CJ, but not everyone agrees with you. If someone feels that part of their childhood has died with the demise of 'some presenter or other', then that's how it is to them, even if it isn't to you. (And anyway, they're usually speaking in a figurative way.) I must ask - you don't seem able to empathize too well with others feelings - do you have Aspergers? If you don't feel like answering, that's okay. Or answer if you like, but I won't publish it if you don't want me to.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't have Aspergers whatever that is. And I'm perfectly capable of empathizing with others feelings thanks very much. Just because I'm not grief-stricken over the death of an 83 year-old former TV presenter who I never met makes me a cold-hearted monster incapable of feelings ??? Good grief. I thought your post about your dog's death was very poignant if that proves anything. And publish this with my blessing !
ReplyDeleteWell, if you don't know what it is, how can you know whether you've got it or not? And who said you were a cold-hearted monster incapable of feelings? You do often seem pretty dismissive of OTHER people's feelings 'though, CJ, which suggests an inability to empathize with how they, er - feel. (Personally, I feel with my hands.)
ReplyDeleteI hope that CJ won't mind my saying, but I think that he just plays "Devil's Advocate" with some of the posts, just to show that there is often another side to any argument and perhaps to stimulate a healthy debate. But, I always feel that it is never put forward in an argumentative way and it's simply Col's take on things.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's always heartwarming to see that whenever you two disagree about anything, you always end up still mates!
CJ may well be playing 'Devil's Advocate' from time-to-time, JP (as I do), but I think he's yet to master the trick of putting forth some of his views in a diplomatic way without seeming to dismiss out of hand (or trample underfoot) the opinions of others. (As we all know, of course, I'M a master of diplomacy and sensitivity. That right, CJ, you Grooty buggah?!)
ReplyDelete