Rav Wilding

Rav Wilding was born on October 16, 1977, in Canterbury, Kent, England. Prior to his television career, he had a distinguished background in public service. He served in the British Army, specifically in the 5th Airborne Brigade’s specialist air defense unit. This military service was cut short in 1999 due to a serious leg injury. Following his time in the army, Wilding worked as a security guard at Harrods in London, where he was responsible for the underground safes and general close protection of the store. He pursued his ambition of joining the police service, following in the footsteps of his maternal grandparents, and became an officer with the Metropolitan Police. He later joined the British Transport Police as a detective in January 2021, though he concluded this service in March 2021.

Wilding’s television career began in 2004 when he was selected to appear on the BBC’s flagship crime investigation series, “Crimewatch.” This role involved numerous interviews and formal television presenter training. He initially balanced his television commitments with his duties as a patrolling Metropolitan Police officer, broadcasting live to millions and then returning to his police work. In February 2008, he resigned from the police force to fully focus on his burgeoning media career. Post-“Crimewatch,” he became a regular reporter for crime issues on BBC One’s “The One Show.”

He has since presented or co-presented several notable programs. From 2008 to 2010, he co-presented “Missing Live,” a BBC One program dedicated to raising awareness for outstanding missing persons cases. In August 2008, he hosted “Helicopter Heroes,” a twenty-episode series following the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which ran until 2014. Since June 2009, Wilding has presented “Crimewatch Live” (formerly “Crimewatch Roadshow”), providing viewers with exclusive insights into police work. His work also includes “Ill Gotten Gains” (2016-2020), and since 2022, he has presented “Scam Interceptors,” a BBC program focused on internet fraud. He has also participated in reality shows like “Strictly Come Dancing” (2009) and “71 Degrees North” (2011), and in 2019, he participated in “The All New Monty – Who Bares Wins” to raise awareness for male cancer.