Shep, the beloved collie dog of Blue Peter star John Noakes, has been accused inappropriate sniffing of the TV show's young audiences.
A devastated Noakes said 'We thought Shep was a good dog and could be trusted with children, but we have reviewed footage which showed that he was sometimes particularly aroused if a yound child emitted a 'Puff' which would send him on a bottom smelling frenzy.'
'Whilst in the 1970s and 80s such behaviour was deemed acceptable we now know that Shep lived a double life, rounding up sheep in the morning and rounding up niffs in the afternoon, usually around 4pm. We wish to apologise for his behaviour and have pledged to open a methane farm to releases all stolen niffs back into the wild where they belong.'
Peter Purves, who worked closely with Noakes was unavailable for comment about his slightly suspicious surname and unfashionable sheepskin jackets.