John Craven, 81, is finest recognized for his long-running roles presenting BBC Newsround and Countryfile. Awarded the OBE in 2000, the daddy of two grownup daughters, Emma and Victoria and grandfather of 5, lives in Oxfordshire with Marilyn, his spouse of fifty years.
Throughout my 50 years on TV I’ve had some fortunate breaks, and the lesson I’ve learnt is to profit from a possibility when Woman Luck is driving with you.
As a younger reporter on regional TV, I strolled right into a studio sooner or later to seek out auditions occurring for a brand new youngsters’s programme on BBC One.
‘Can I’ve a go?’ I requested, to be instructed the crew had spent weeks choosing the appropriate candidates. They should have favored my cheek, although, as a result of they discovered a couple of minutes for me on the finish of their lengthy day. I bought the job and that led to ‘John Craven’s Newsround’ [which first aired in 1972].
John Craven, 81, (pictured) who lives in Oxfordshire, has learnt to profit from a possibility
Seventeen years later, I left Newsround to seek out work in ‘grown-up’ TV. Unknown to me, the search was on for a presenter of a brand new rural affairs present known as Countryfile. As soon as once more, luck was on my aspect and I’m nonetheless there, three many years later.
These are simply two items of fine fortune for which I’m grateful (50 years of completely happy marriage is one other!), however there are, after all, occasions the place luck appears to be sporting a little bit skinny. I’ve all the time had good-health — hardly a day without work work by sickness — however, in my late 40s, my eyesight began to grow to be blurred.
At first, I nervous what folks would say about my sporting spectacles on TV however there wasn’t a single remark. Then, in my 60s, my listening to started to fail. I couldn’t make out conversations in crowded locations, the sounds of nature turned muffled and ‘say it once more’ began to grow to be a typical response.
Once I had a routine verify, I used to be instructed my ranges had dropped by round 20 per cent since my first check in 2008. There appears to be one thing of a stigma about listening to aids and but, today, lots of them are nearly invisible. Mine even eradicate wind noise after I’m out.
I’m not complaining. I’ve realised my life displays the phrases that Hollywood actor, Clark Gable, needed on his tombstone: ‘He was fortunate and he knew it!’
- John Craven is an envoy for Specsavers.