An Evening with John Craven: The Stories Behind the Headlines

Join national treasure John Craven as he reflects on over fifty years at the forefront of British broadcasting. From breaking world news to the stories that shaped our nation, John has been a trusted guide through the headlines, bringing clarity and warmth to viewers of all ages. 

From the Grimthorpe Street Gazette—a handwritten newspaper he produced as a teenager—to presenting more than three thousand episodes of Newsround, the pioneering show that became a permanent fixture of daily life, John has witnessed the evolution of television news at first hand. Along the way, he made even seemingly small stories resonate, blending hard facts with humanity and humour. 

This special evening takes you behind the scenes of a remarkable career spanning national and world news, rural reporting through three decades on Countryfile, and landmark moments in broadcasting history. Through archive footage, photographs and candid anecdotes, John shares the stories—and the people—that shaped both his life and the Britain he helped explain to millions. 

Blending insight, nostalgia and warmth, this is more than a career retrospective; it’s a celebration of a broadcaster who helped generations make sense of the world around them.