john craven

John Raymond Craven was born on August 16, 1940, in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire. He began his career in journalism at the age of 16, working as a junior reporter for the ‘Harrogate Advertiser’ and subsequently for the ‘Yorkshire Post’. He also contributed as a freelance correspondent for national newspapers. This early exposure to print journalism provided a foundational understanding of news reporting.

Craven transitioned into broadcasting by joining the BBC staff in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he worked in local radio and television. His move to BBC Bristol in 1970 marked a significant step in his television career. From 1972 to 1989, Craven hosted ‘Newsround’, a children’s news program initially known as ‘John Craven’s Newsround’. This program was a pioneering effort in British television, providing news to younger audiences using the full journalistic resources of the BBC. During his tenure, ‘Newsround’ covered significant events, including the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. Craven also contributed to other children’s programs like ‘Multi-Coloured Swap Shop’ and ‘Saturday Superstore’ and later became the editor of ‘Newsround’. He left ‘Newsround’ in 1989 after presenting over 3,000 episodes.

Following his departure from ‘Newsround’, Craven began presenting ‘Countryfile’ for the BBC, a program focused on rural news and affairs. This move demonstrated his versatility as a presenter, transitioning from children’s news to adult public interest programming. In 2015, he hosted the BBC Two game show ‘Beat the Brain’. Craven has also engaged in charitable endeavors, including participating in Gareth Malone’s All Star Choir in 2014 to raise money for BBC Children in Need. He holds positions as a president for the Young People’s Trust for the Environment, vice-president of the Waterways Trust, and Patron of SPANA. His contributions to broadcasting were recognized with an OBE in 2000 for services to rural and children’s broadcasting and the RTS Baird Medal in 2002.