Biographies

Presenter

John Craven is perhaps best known as the presenter and editor of the hugely popular John Craven's Newsround, a role which established him as a household name spanning two generations.

Newsround was the first TV news programme in the world to report directly to children – although also watched by millions of adults!

John stayed for more than 3,000 editions, spending 17 years with the programme. Children once voted him among their 100 All-Time Greats.

John enjoys an equally high profile in his role as presenter of the long-running Countryfile, BBC One's rural and environmental current affairs programme, which he joined in 1989.

One of the BBC's longest standing presenters, John was a host on Saturday morning children's television for more than 10 years. In late 2006 he took part in a massively popular Swap Shop reunion show for BBC Two, teaming up with the original line-up of Noel, Keith and Maggie.

He also presented Country Cops for BBC Two, and shared his genuine passion for antiques in Craven's Collectables for Anglia TV.

John's other presenting roles include BBC Two's Castle In The Country, co-presented with Gloria Hunniford, and Live From Chatsworth for BBC One. Both programmes are successful in the ratings.

Every Christmas John presents a wildlife special on BBC One's Animal Sanctuary.

Born in Leeds, John started his journalistic career on local newspapers and joined the BBC as a news writer in Newcastle upon Tyne, later moving to Bristol as a reporter with regional TV.

In 1971 he made his debut as a network TV presenter on the current affairs programme Search.

When not broadcasting, John is busy with corporate work, writing, speaking engagements and personal appearances.

During his career John and his programmes have won many awards, including two BAFTAs and the TV Times Awards.

He is married with two daughters and lives in Oxfordshire.

John was awarded an OBE in the Millennium Honours for services to broadcasting.

In 1996, the Royal Television Society appointed him a member of its exclusive Hall of Fame, in recognition of an outstanding contribution to British TV.

In March 2000, John enjoyed the accolade of being handed the Big Red Book by Michael Aspel on This Is Your Life.

John's credits include Countryfile (BBC One), Castle In The Country (BBC Two), Richard & Judy (Watch), It Started With Swap Shop (BBC Two), Country Cops (BBC Two), Live From Chatsworth (BBC One), Animal Sanctuary (BBC One), Craven's Collectables (Anglia TV), John Craven's Newsround (BBC One), Swap Shop (BBC One), Search (BBC One).