'Blue Peter' dog to retire after 14 years

[dutchman]

Blue Peter have confirmed that the show's dog Mabel will be leaving the show after 14 years.

Producers announced today that the long-running children's programme would be parting ways with their veteran Border Collie Cross dog when she retires on March 30.

The programme's first ever rescue dog, Mabel originally featured on the programme in January 8, 1996 during a short film about the RSPCA, before joining the show shortly after.

The pet is the second longest-serving dog on the show after Petra, who appeared on Blue Peter for 15 years between 1962 and 1977. During her long career Mabel has starred alongside 14 different presenters.

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

A statement from the CBBC show confirmed that Mabel will spend her retirement living with a former member of the production team.