John Craven is a familiar face on our TV screens, as part of the regular BBC Countryfile presenting line-up alongside Matt Baker, Adam Henson and Anita Rani.
Here's everything you need to know about him.
Who is John Craven?
John Craven is an English journalist and TV presenter, best known for presenting Newsround and Countryfile on the BBC. In 2000 he was awarded an OBE for his services to rural and children's broadcasting, and he features in the RTS Hall of Fame.
How old is John Craven?
John Craven was born on 16 August 1940.
When did he start presenting Countryfile?
John has always considered himself to be a country person at heart and after leaving Newsround in 1989 he joined the Countryfile team, making him the longest serving presenter on the show. Over the years he has covered many of the key issues facing the British countryside, including BSE, foot and mouth and the fox-hunting ban.
How did John Craven get into television?
John Craven began his career in journalism, working on local and national newspapers. After stints in local radio and television, he hosted children's news programme Newsround (originally called John Craven's Newsround) from 1972. He also presented shows such as Multi-Coloured Swap Shop. Craven left Newsround in 1989 and began presenting Countryfile.
Does John Craven have kids?
John Craven has two children.
Where did John Craven grow up?
John Craven was born in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire.
Where does John Craven live?
John Craven lives in Oxfordshire with his wife.
18 facts about John Craven
1
John has been presenting BBC Countryfile for over 30 years
The show made him a mini cake version of himself on the anniversary on 20 July 2014 to celebrate!
After hundreds of recorded episodes of Countryfile, John Craven looks back on the breaking stories, key issues and memorable people that have shaped his quarter century presenting 'welly telly'.
2
John was the first Western journalist allowed by the Chinese authorities to film the panda rescue centre at Wolong in Sichuan Province
He travelled there in 1986 and made a documentary about the pioneering work that a few years later led to the first baby panda being born in captivity.
3
John has visited more than 80 countries
But says that the British countryside is still hard to beat.
4
John once wanted to be an actor and fancied himself as the next Peter O’Toole
5
Ambitious from a young age
When he was younger, John used to sit in the kitchen and read out the articles in the Yorkshire Evening Post like a newscaster for his parents.
6
The person in the media that John most admires is David Attenborough
7
John has presented over 3,000 episodes of Newsround
He claims to have only missed one edition, when his daughter was born.
8
John's favourite rural place is the Yorkshire Dales
9
John has admitted that he is addicted to the television programme Spooks
10
John enjoys sharing his experiences
John likes being a broadcaster because it gives him the “open sesame” effect – getting invited into secret places and sharing the experience with viewers.
11
If John didn’t work in the media he would like to be a pilot.
12
John attended Leeds Modern, the same school as Alan Bennett
13
John used to be known as Johnny Ray in the 50s
He also wore Italian suits and a Tony Curtis haircut.
14
John's favourite seaside location is Whitby
15
John is vice-president of the Waterways Trust and a Patron of SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)
16
John is proud of his long career working for the BBC
John says his proudest achievement in his working life is having worked for the BBC for the past 35 years plus.
17
Newsround’s biggest scoops included the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II
Also, the Hungerford massacre and, most famously, the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle.
18
John's favourite part about being involved in Newsround was the challenge of writing the stories
Find out more
Check out our guides to some of your other favourite TV presenters, including Chris Packham, Iolo Williams, Gillian Burke and Megan McCubbin.