Watch Blue Peter’s John Noakes climb Shotley’s HMS Ganges as tributes pour in following his death

Mr Purves, who lives in Laxfield near Framlingham, was among the first to pay his respects to his co-presenter and the show’s longest serving star.

He told the BBC: “I knew about it [on Sunday]. Very sad, very sad indeed.

“But I think as his family have said it really is a blessing. He was suffering badly from Alzheimer’s in recent years, and in the very recent years it got extremely serious.”

Mr Noakes’ death was confirmed by family friend Wendy Downes who said he died peacefully on Sunday morning.

The Yorkshire-born presenter, worked on the children’s show for 12-and-a-half years in the 1960s and 1970s, when he developed a reputation as its action man.

One of the most challenging adventures came in 1967 when he was sent up the mast of the Shotely-based Royal Navy training ship HMS Ganges to perform the role of “button boy” - the first one up the rig.

Mr Purves said Mr Noakes would like to be remembered as “the daredevil on Blue Peter”.

“He had qualities that no one else had and he will be remembered very fondly by a lot of people and none more so than me,” he added.

“He was a happy-go-lucky guy in many ways.

“He was actually quite serious as well, and very, very shy.

“I mean that’s what you really wouldn’t realise about him, I suppose.”

Mr Purves and Mr Noakes were both well known for their love of dogs.

During his time on Blue Peter, Mr Noakes struck up famous partnerships with canine stars of the programme, including Patch - the first Blue Peter dog Petra’s puppy - and the border collie Shep, who inspired Noakes’s catchphrase: “Get down, Shep!”

After leaving Blue Peter, Mr Purves went on to present Crufts and is often seen at dog shows in Suffolk.

He is to lead special parades at this year’s 10th annual Suffolk Dog Day, held on July 30 at Helmingham Hall.

Mr Purves said he had “hundreds and hundreds of happy memories” of Mr Noakes.

“I’ll never forget him,” he added.

“He was a good friend.”