Few people can say they helped invent a genre of television. John Craven can. As the creator and first presenter of Newsround — the world’s first news programme for children — and a mainstay of Countryfile for over three decades, he has spent more than 50 years on British screens.
Full name: John Raymond Craven OBE FLS ·
Born: 16 August 1940 (age 84) ·
Occupation: Journalist and television presenter ·
Known for: Newsround, Countryfile ·
Spouse: Marilyn Craven (m. 1964) ·
Children: 2 daughters
Quick snapshot
- Born 16 August 1940 in Leeds, England (Findmypast genealogy service)
- Married Marilyn Craven in 1964, still together (The Sun (UK tabloid))
- Launched Newsround in 1972 (Penguin Books (publisher))
- Appointed OBE in 2000 (Better Planet Education (charity))
- Exact net worth – not publicly verified (Express (UK newspaper))
- Whether he had a previous marriage – no evidence found (The Sun (UK tabloid))
- Current precise residence location (The Sun (UK tabloid))
- Nature of recent “difficulties” beyond general aging (Express (UK newspaper))
- Started as junior reporter on the Harrogate Advertiser in early 1960s (BBC (public broadcaster))
- Married Marilyn in 1964 (The Sun (UK tabloid))
- Moved to Countryfile in 1989 (Better Planet Education (charity))
- Still presenting Countryfile at age 84 in 2024 (BBC (public broadcaster))
- Continues to appear on Countryfile in 2024 (BBC (public broadcaster))
- Public speaking and environmental work (Better Planet Education (charity))
- Possible retirement speculation, but no confirmed plans (Express (UK newspaper))
Eight key facts, one pattern: Craven’s career is defined by longevity and firsts, while personal details remain private.
The table below compiles his core biographical data from verified sources.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Raymond Craven |
| Date of Birth | 16 August 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Leeds, England |
| Occupation | Journalist, television presenter |
| Spouse | Marilyn Craven (m. 1964) |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Notable Shows | Newsround (1972–1994), Countryfile (1989–present) |
| Awards | OBE (2000) |
The pattern: Craven’s career is built on firsts, while his personal life remains deliberately private.
Has John Craven got kids?
Yes, John Craven has two daughters with his wife Marilyn. The Sun (UK tabloid) reported in 2019 that the couple have two daughters. No other children or step-children have been publicly mentioned.
Who is John Craven’s wife?
- John Craven married Marilyn Craven in 1964 and they are still together (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
- Marilyn is not a public figure; she has been described by Craven as his “rock” (Express (UK newspaper)).
- No record of a previous marriage or “first wife” exists in any verified source.
How long has John Craven been married?
John and Marilyn Craven have been married for 60 years as of 2024. Their 1964 wedding is confirmed by multiple sources, including The Sun (UK tabloid) and a Findmypast genealogy service family-tree feature.
How many times has John Craven been married?
- John Craven has been married exactly once, to Marilyn. There is no evidence of any earlier or later marriage.
- This answers the common internet question “Who was John Craven’s first wife?” — no such person exists in the public record.
John Craven’s family life is stable and private: one marriage of six decades, two daughters, and no public divorces. The “first wife” rumour appears to be a case of online misinformation.
The implication: Craven’s personal stability mirrors his professional reliability.
How rich is John Craven?
John Craven’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. A 2021 article in the Express (UK newspaper) estimated it at around £2.8 million, but that figure is not verified by Craven, his representatives, or any official financial disclosure. The BBC does not publish presenter salaries individually for Countryfile, and Craven’s long career on two major BBC shows suggests a comfortable but not extravagant income.
What are John Craven’s main income sources?
- Decades of BBC presenting: Newsround (1972–1994) and Countryfile (1989–present) (BBC (public broadcaster)).
- Public speaking engagements, managed by Gordon Poole Agency (speaker bureau).
- Possible royalties or advances from book deals, though his only known published works are related to wildlife and environmental topics.
No official net worth figure exists. Treat any single number, including the £2.8 million estimate from the Express, as speculation. The real story is not his wealth but his career value: he created a genre.
The pattern: reported wealth figures are speculative; Craven’s true asset is his pioneering career.
What does John Craven do now?
As of 2024, John Craven continues to present Countryfile on BBC One, making him one of the longest-serving presenters on British television. He also makes public speaking appearances, supports environmental education through Better Planet Education (charity), and occasionally appears in documentary retrospectives.
Is John Craven still on Countryfile?
- Yes. Craven has been a regular presenter on Countryfile since 1989 (Better Planet Education (charity)).
- The BBC’s programme page for “The John Craven Years” confirms his active involvement (BBC (public broadcaster)).
- He is the oldest current Countryfile presenter at age 84.
What other activities is John Craven involved in?
- Patron of Better Planet Education, a charity focused on environmental learning (Better Planet Education (charity)).
- Available for corporate and charity speaking events through his agency (Gordon Poole Agency (speaker bureau)).
- Makes occasional guest appearances on other BBC programmes and radio shows.
What difficulties has John Craven faced recently?
In a 2024 interview with the Express (UK newspaper), Craven spoke openly about the challenges of aging, including memory loss and hearing difficulties. He described his wife Marilyn as his support system. No other specific “difficulties” have been reported.
The catch: his continued role creates succession planning questions for BBC management.
Where does John Craven live?
John Craven resides in the UK, reportedly in a rural area of Oxfordshire. The The Sun (UK tabloid) stated in 2019 that he lives with his wife Marilyn in Oxfordshire, but the exact town or village has not been publicly disclosed for privacy reasons.
Does John Craven live in the UK?
- Yes, he has always lived in the United Kingdom.
- His Oxfordshire location is consistent with the rural focus of Countryfile filming.
The implication: his home base is deliberately kept private, which aligns with his low-key personal brand.
Who is the oldest Countryfile presenter?
John Craven, born 16 August 1940, is the oldest current presenter on Countryfile at age 84. Other older presenters have retired; Craven continues to appear regularly.
How old is John Craven?
- John Craven was born on 16 August 1940 (Findmypast genealogy service).
- This makes him 84 years old as of mid-2024.
- A 2026 Yahoo News article erroneously referred to him as 85 in June 2026, which would imply a 1941 birth – but that is contradicted by multiple verified sources (Yahoo News UK (news aggregator)).
How does John Craven’s age compare to other Countryfile presenters?
- The next oldest regular presenter is likely in their 60s; exact ages are not all public.
- Craven’s tenure on Countryfile (since 1989) makes him a veteran of over 35 years on the show.
Online age calculators sometimes yield inconsistent results. The verified birth date is 16 August 1940, but sloppy reporting has occasionally bumped his age by a year. Stick with the official record.
The pattern: Craven’s age makes him the oldest current Countryfile presenter, a rare position in TV.
Timeline
| Date / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 16 August 1940 | Born in Leeds, England (Findmypast genealogy service) |
| Early 1960s | Started career as junior reporter on Harrogate Advertiser (BBC (public broadcaster)) |
| 1964 | Married Marilyn Craven (The Sun (UK tabloid)) |
| 1972 | Launched and presented Newsround, the world’s first television news programme for children (Penguin Books (publisher)) |
| 1989 | Joined BBC’s Countryfile as a presenter (Better Planet Education (charity)) |
| 2000 | Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (Better Planet Education (charity)) |
| 2024 | Still presenting Countryfile at age 84; speaks publicly about aging and marriage (BBC (public broadcaster)) |
The pattern: Craven’s timeline shows a career of steady milestones, from junior reporter to television pioneer.
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- John Craven was born on 16 August 1940 in Leeds.
- He has been married to Marilyn Craven since 1964.
- He has two daughters.
- He presented Newsround (1972–1994) and Countryfile (1989–present).
- He received an OBE in 2000.
- He continues to present Countryfile as of 2024.
Rumors & Unclear
- Net worth of £2.8 million – not verified by official sources.
- Rumour of a previous marriage or “first wife” – no evidence.
- Specific “difficulties” beyond general aging – not detailed.
- Exact current residence – only reported as Oxfordshire.
- Age 85 claim in 2026 Yahoo article – contradicts official birth date.
“John Craven launched the world’s first television news programme for children in 1972, a bold move that shaped how generations understood current events.”
“Craven has been on British television for over 45 years, a span that includes iconic shows Newsround, Swap Shop and Countryfile.”
What these two perspectives share is a recognition of Craven’s enduring influence. The Penguin quote highlights the innovation; the BFI emphasizes the breadth. Together they frame a career that both invented a format and outlasted its imitators.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is John Craven famous?
He is best known as the creator and first presenter of Newsround (1972), the world’s first television news programme for children, and as a long-serving presenter of Countryfile.
What does OBE stand for and why did John Craven get it?
OBE stands for Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Craven received the honour in 2000 for services to broadcasting.
Is John Craven still married?
Yes, he has been married to Marilyn Craven since 1964.
What was John Craven’s first job in journalism?
He started as a junior reporter on the Harrogate Advertiser in the early 1960s.
Does John Craven have grandchildren?
This has not been publicly confirmed. He has two daughters, but details about grandchildren have not been shared.
What other TV shows has John Craven presented?
In addition to Newsround and Countryfile, he presented Swap Shop and appeared in documentary specials.
How can I contact John Craven for speaking events?
Bookings are handled by the Gordon Poole Agency.
What is John Craven’s connection to Blue Peter?
There is no direct connection; Craven never presented Blue Peter. The confusion may arise because both are long-running BBC children’s programmes.
For the BBC, John Craven’s continued presence on Countryfile at 84 represents both an asset and a risk: his familiarity draws viewers, but it also highlights the lack of a clear succession plan for the show’s oldest presenter. For Craven himself, the choice is clear: keep doing what he loves, or finally step back. So far, he shows no sign of choosing the second option.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.