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Blue Peter veteran John Noakes, 81, found after disappearance in Majorca
The Blue Peter presenter was taken to hospital after being located by police on the Spanish island. He is understood to be suffering from Alzheimer's
John Noakes, the former Blue Peter presenter, was being treated in hospital on Tuesday night after going missing from his Majorcan home for more than nine hours.
Mr Noakes, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, was reported missing by his wife Vicky, with police launching a major search on land and at sea amid concerns for his welfare.
He was later found lying dehydrated near blackberry bushes in 35C heat before being airlifted to hospital.
The 81-year-old broadcaster, beloved by a generation for his time on children’s television, was not seriously injured, according to his family.
Mrs Noakes, 71, said she was “very relieved” after he was finally spotted, hours after he slipped out of his home without water, money or identification.
Mr Noakes is cared for by paramedics after his ordeal (Solarpix.com)
She added she believed her husband of more than 50 years had “lost his bearing and strayed off the path” before falling into a “sort of storm drain” and being waylaid.
She had reported him missing to police at 9am on Tuesday, after noticing he had left the country home they share near Andratx, Majorca, and apparently disappeared.
The authorities launched a major land and air search as summer temperatures soared, with a Civil Guard mountain rescue team joined on the ground by firefighters, local police, civil protection workers.
Members of the public, local well-wishers and friends of the couple also joined the search, as news spread among concerned fans.
John Noakes
A police helicopter was mobilised mid-afternoon as the initial hunt for the Blue Peter veteran, whose fight against Alzheimer’s disease had previously been unknown outside of his close circle of family and friends, proved fruitless.
Speaking minutes after he was found and airlifted to Son Espases Hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma, Mrs Noakes said: “I’ve just heard the news and am obviously very relieved.
“I’m going to take 10 minutes out with a cup of tea and then head straight to the hospital to see him.
“I’ve been told he’s not injured in any way, but I imagine he’s dehydrated after being more than nine hours without water under a scorching sun and I assume they’ll keep him in hospital overnight to rehydrate him and check he’s okay.
Vicky Noakes pictured outside the family villa
“The emergency services have been wonderful and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s shown their concern.”
Fears for the safety of Blue Peter’s longest serving presenter, famed for his memorable catchphrase ‘Get Down Shep’ during his attempts to control the show’s excitable dog, had been growing throughout the day.
Mrs Noakes described how she had initially caught up with the broadcaster in her car, after noticing he had left the house, but had lost sight on him after turning into a side street to park.
The Civil Guard confirmed their helicopter had found Mr Noakes alive “but in need of medical attention” just before 7pm local time near Andratx.
An officer said: “Fortunately we found him when we did because another couple of hours with night closing in, the search would have been suspended till tomorrow and then it could have been a different story.”
Police pictured during the search for John Noakes
Mr Noakes trained as an aircraft engine fitter for the RAF before deciding to become an actor.
He joined Blue Peter as a presenter in December 1965, fulfilling the role of action man in the series, which he helped present for more than 12 years.
After leaving the show, he went on to make several television appearances and write a children’s book, before sailing around the Mediterranean and finally settling in Majorca.