John Craven OBE

John Craven OBE is one of the BBC’s most iconic and longest-serving presenters, best known for creating and fronting Newsround – the first television news programme in the world designed specifically for children. Over his remarkable career, John has presented more than 3,000 editions of the programme and reported from over 40 countries, making Newsround a much-loved institution. In 2000, he was recognised on This Is Your Life, and in 2002, the Royal Television Society awarded him its prestigious Baird Medal for his outstanding contribution to television.

Since 1989, John has been a cornerstone of Countryfile, BBC1’s flagship rural and environmental current affairs show. Celebrating over 30 years with the programme, John continues to report on everything from environmental challenges to the beauty and traditions of rural Britain. His annual wildlife special, Animal Sanctuary, has taken him to locations across the globe, including Africa, Australia, Mauritius, California and Chile.

A trailblazer in broadcasting, John began his career as a journalist in newspapers before joining the BBC in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He became a household name not only through Newsround and Countryfile, but also as a familiar face on Swap Shop and Saturday SuperStore throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

John’s career has been decorated with numerous awards, including two BAFTAs and the TV Times Award. In the Millennium Honours, he was awarded the OBE for services to broadcasting, and in 1996 he was inducted into the Royal Television Society’s Hall of Fame. Beyond his broadcasting career, he is a dedicated supporter of wildlife and environmental charities, serving as patron of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and vice-president of The Waterways Trust.

In 2019, John published his acclaimed autobiography Headlines and Hedgerows: A Memoir, offering a fascinating insight into his life and career. In 2021, he marked 50 years as a BBC presenter and his 1,250th episode of Countryfile, revisiting locations that hold special memories from his career.

Warm, articulate, and deeply engaging, John Craven is a highly sought-after speaker and host, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from a lifetime in broadcasting and offering thought-provoking perspectives on journalism, nature, and the environment.

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