Blue Peter Pooch Retires

Thursday 11th March 2010 - 13:00:40

The Border Collie Cross pooch - who was the first ever rescue dog to appear on the children's BBC show - is due to leave the programme on March 30 and her co-stars are sad to see the "legend" leave.

Presenter Joel Defries said: "Mabel is a legend - she has spent 98 dog years working on Blue Peter and we will all miss her dearly."

Andy Akinwolere added: "I know that our viewers will miss Mabel as much as we will."

Mabel is a legend - she has spent 98 dog years working on Blue Peter and we will all miss her dearly.

Mabel first appeared on the show in January 1996, when the programme included a special feature on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals RSPCA.

Mabel has seen 14 presenters come and go during her TV career, and currently appears alongside Golden Retriever Lucy and presenter Helen Skelton's dog Barney.

Helen added: "It will be a sad day for us all when we have to bid a fond farewell to our studio mate Mabel, we all wish her a very happy retirement."

The pooch's final show will include a video collage of her finest moments on the show.