Majorca: Former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes found safe after going missing from home

John Noakes, a children's BBC presenter, who has Alzheimer's disease, was taken to hospital after going missing from his Majorca home.

Police were searching for the 81-year-old after being alerted by Noakes' wife after he disappeared on the morning of 30 June on the hottest day in Spain this year.

Search parties focused around Andratx village where he lives, as his wife told police she was concerned "because of his state of health and the heat, which is around 35C (95F) today."

"He doesn't speak any Spanish and refuses to carry any identification. and I think any expat would have realised he's a bit confused and found someone to hand him over to.

"But who knows in this situation. It's uncharted territory really. All I am very concerned about is that it should have happened when it was so hot.

"He didn't tell me he was going off. He often goes to the end of the drive where there's a dog he goes to see and talk to.

"What was abnormal this morning was that having followed him down to pick him up I couldn't arrange to stop where he was and pick him up so had to carry on.

"I think in those few moments he's either shot off, gone off somewhere else or taken a different turning but at the moment I just don't know."

He was spotted by a local police helicopter in a strawberry field at around 6.45pm local time, according to BBC News, and taken to hospital where he is understood to be in a "bad way" but his condition is not thought to be life-threatening, according to the Mirror.

The local council's Facebook page had posted two pictures of Noakes', requesting people to keep a look out for him.

Noakes fronted the BBC children's show Blue Peter for 12 years from 1966 to 1978 and was the programme's longest-running presenter.

He was known for his relaxed, amiable style and trying in vain to control his border collie, leading to his catchphrase: "Get down, Shep!" A song was recorded by the Barron Knights' in 1978, which had the same name.

Among Noakes' celebrity fans is Damien Hirst who said he was inspired by the TV presenter's demonstrations of art. The artist was given a gold Blue Peter badge to recognise his contribution to British art.