Their appearances, which often featured Shep getting a bit too excitable, led to John developing the catchphrase, 'Get down Shep'. This much-mimicked phrase even became the title of a song by comedy group the Barron Nights.

Like all Blue Peter pets, Shep was owned by the BBC, but when John left the programme in June 1978 the BBC realised the pair were inseparable and let him keep the Border Collie.

Shep appeared with John in five series of Go with Noakes before giving up his career in showbusiness. He spent his retirement with Edith Menezes, who looked after many of the Blue Peter pets. Shep died in 1987.



