DEPENDING on your age, you may remember the madcap antics of John Noakes on BBC’s Blue Peter...

Well, the tradition of daring presenters continues on the children’s TV programme, and the next generation of daredevil is flourishing in the form of Gethin Jones who’s taken up the submariners’ challenge of the Submarine Escape Training Tank.

Gethin is the third from the BBC team to brave the depths of the SETT at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport, and unsurprisingly John Noakes was the first to break the surface at the tank back in the late 1960s, followed by Simon Thomas in 1999.

Lt Cdr Bob Mannion, officer in charge of the SETT, said: “It was fantastic to work with the Blue Peter team and good to see them again after their last visit six years ago.

“Gethin proved to be extremely comfortable under pressure and in the water, listening attentively to our instructors and progressing well through each stage of the training.

“The grin on his face the first time he reached the surface was a sight to behold – especially after the rather more concerned expression he had adopted before his first ascent.

“I was also pleased to see the reaction of his classmates – rather than getting more nervous as the camera team witnessed their own training at such close quarters, they enjoyed the extra attention!”

Gethin himself obviously relished the chance to train with the other 18 fledgling submariners: “It’s been a real insight and I’ve enjoyed it.

“Floating up in the tank to the top was a great ride-up, especially the second time round when I could relax a bit more.

“And I’ve had no worries – the instructors instil real confidence in you before you get in the water, and I’ve felt totally safe in their hands.”

This isn’t Gethin’s first encounter with the Senior Service as last year he completed the Royal Marines Commando 30-mile yomp, although slightly slower than the real contenders for the green beret.

You can see Gethin’s  SETT exploits on BBC1 tonight, Thursday March 8, at 5pm.