John Noakes
English TV presenter (1934–2017)
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Key Takeaways
- John Noakes (born John Wallace Bottomley ; 6 March 1934 – 28 May 2017) was an English television presenter and actor.
- Early life Noakes was born John Bottomley, at the Royal Halifax Infirmary in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, to Sallie Hinchcliffe (née Hampson) and Arthur Wallace Bottomley.
- His parents divorced when he was nine and he went to live with his grandmother.
- The following year, his mother married Canadian big band trumpeter Alfred "Alfie" Noakes (1903–1982) and John took his surname.
- Acting When Noakes decided to become an actor, he took lessons at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which he paid for by doing a cleaning job and working as a hotel liftboy.
John Noakes (born John Wallace Bottomley; 6 March 1934 – 28 May 2017) was an English television presenter and actor. He co-presented the BBC children's magazine programme Blue Peter in the 1960s and 1970s and is the show's longest-serving presenter, with a tenure that lasted 12 years and six months.
Early life
Noakes was born John Bottomley, at the Royal Halifax Infirmary in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, to Sallie Hinchcliffe (née Hampson) and Arthur Wallace Bottomley. He was educated at Shelf Council School, in Shelf and then at Rishworth School near Halifax, where he excelled in cross country running and gymnastics. His parents divorced when he was nine and he went to live with his grandmother.
At the age of 16, Noakes joined the Royal Air Force as a mechanic. The following year, his mother married Canadian big band trumpeter Alfred "Alfie" Noakes (1903–1982) and John took his surname. He subsequently worked for BOAC as an aircraft engine fitter.
Acting
When Noakes decided to become an actor, he took lessons at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which he paid for by doing a cleaning job and working as a hotel liftboy. He made his stage debut as a dog and a clown in a summer show with Cyril Fletcher. In 1964, he appeared in one episode of the television military police drama series Redcap.
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