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John Craven has been presenting the BBC's Countryfile for more than three decades (Image: BBC (Countryfile))
Veteran presenter and journalist John Craven has admitted to feeling as though he’s “getting on a bit” as he continues to expand his more than five-decade-long career in television.
The 84-year-old has presented Countryfile since 1989 and has no public plans to retire to end his 35-year commitment to the BBC show.
Despite being open about some health troubles over recent years, Craven continues to make regular appearances on the show, covering rural stories, farming matters and environmental concerns.
During an appearance on The One Show earlier this month, the presenter insisted that, regardless of his age, he still considers himself to be “quite useful”, but rejects the idea of being hailed as a TV “legend”.
As part of a creative segment on the show, acclaimed artist Adebaji Alade delicately painted a portrait of Craven, describing the BBC presenter as a “living legend”.
Craven has been a television presenter for over 50 years and joined Countryfile in 1989 (Image: GETTY)
The Countryfile host replied: “I don’t really like being called a legend because, yeah, I’m getting on a bit, but I still feel quite useful.”
Questioned on his favour among viewers, Craven added: “I think it’s because I’m regarded as almost a friend.
“To this day, people come up to me and say, ‘Thank you for being part of my childhood. Thanks for telling me what was happening in the world’.”
Prior to fronting Countryfile, Craven hosted the BBC’s Newsround show, designed to report stories from around the world in a way younger viewers could engage with.
Craven hosted the BBC's first children's news show, Newsround (Image: GETTY)
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Originally titled John Craven’s Newsround, the show was the first of its kind for British television and the BBC credits his “easy, straight-talking style” with helping to establish the programme now cherished by many.
In 2000, Craven was awarded an OBE for his services to rural and children’s broadcasting and in 2002 was given the Royal Television Society’s Baird Medal for outstanding contribution to television.
In 2011, his long-running commitment to news programming was again recognised with a Children’s BAFTA award for his influence in establishing Newsround.
Reflecting on his career, Craven has previously said he expected to retire “at some future time”, but is not yet ready to stop working in television.
English (US) ·