John Craven OBE
Sunday 16 June
At The Show
BBC Countryfile presenter, John Craven, will take part in a Q&A session followed by a signing of his book ‘Headlines and Hedgerows: A Memoir’ at the Future of Farming Theatre. John will also take part in the Machinery Demo in the Main Arena 2-2.25pm.
About John Craven OBE
John Craven OBE is best known as the presenter of the hugely popular John Craven’s Newsround, a role which established him as a household name spanning two generations. He is equally well known as presenter of the long-running Countryfile, BBC1’s rural and environmental current affairs programme, which he joined in 1989. John also co-presented the seasonal Countryfile Diaries series for BBC1 Daytime.
John became one of the BBC’s longest standing presenters of long-running hit shows over the years. Starting with John Cravens Newsround (which celebrated its 50th anniversary on 4th April 2022), he was a host on Saturday morning children’s television including Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore. Children once voted John among their 100 All-Time Greats. He also presented Country Cops for BBC2 and shared his genuine passion for antiques in Craven’s Collectables for Anglia TV.
John’s other presenting roles have included BBC2’s Castle in the Country, co-presented with Gloria Hunniford and Live from Chatsworth for BBC1. Christmas regularly saw John presenting wildlife specials on BBC1’s Animal Sanctuary. John has also hosted BBC1’s Songs of Praise, co-hosted Britain’s Heritage Heroes, a 15-part series for BBC2, and was also the host of Beat The Brain, a quiz series again for BBC2.
In 1996, the Royal Television Society appointed him a member of its exclusive Hall of Fame, in recognition of an outstanding contribution to British television.
He was awarded an OBE for services to Broadcasting in the Millennium Honours List.
The focus of a special documentary The John Craven Years, which aired on BBC2 on Christmas Eve 2011, John took a look back at his broadcasting career.
John Craven’s long-awaited autobiography Headlines and Hedgerows: A Memoir was published in 2019 by Michael Joseph.
In 2021 John celebrated 50 years as a BBC presenter and his 1250th episode of Countryfile by revisiting parts of the country that hold special memories for him.
