{"id":806750,"date":"2026-10-18T16:42:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T16:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/806750\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T16:42:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T16:42:16","slug":"countryfile-legend-john-craven-on-challenges-after-final-wish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/806750\/","title":{"rendered":"Countryfile legend John Craven on &#8216;challenges&#8217; after &#8216;final wish&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n  The 86-year-old has presented the popular BBC rural affairs show for 37 years, having started in 1989.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  Prior to that, he had a 17-year stint on Newsround after originally launching it on the BBC back in 1972.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  Away from TV, Mr Craven lives in a village near Banbury with his wife, where the couple brought up two daughters.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfordmail.co.uk\/news\/26647172.watch-legendary-flying-scotsman-train-departs-oxfordshire\/?ref=ed_recent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Watch as legendary Flying Scotsman train departs Oxfordshire<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  Now, the 86-year-old has opened up on &#8220;challenges&#8221; in a new interview with Hello! magazine, published this weekend.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  Mr Craven spoke to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hellomagazine.com\/celebrities\/929451\/john-craven-princess-of-wales-exclusive\/?ref=ed_direct\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hello!<\/a> as he prepares to take part in the Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need, which returns for its 12th year.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  In the chat, the veteran presenter reflected on his previous work with the Royal Family, having joined the then Prince Charles for a special 25th anniversary edition of Countryfile in 2013.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  The pair discussed hedge-laying and organic farming at Highgrove, with the programme also looking at countryside issues including the plight of hill farmers.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfordmail.co.uk\/news\/26647090.royal-set-join-reality-tv-show-cast-queen-camilla-attend\/?ref=ed_recent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Royal set to join reality TV show cast with Queen Camilla to attend<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  Mr Craven said: &#8220;What struck me was how knowledgeable and genuinely passionate he was about the countryside and the people who live and work there.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  &#8220;Long before many environmental issues became part of the mainstream conversation, he was talking about sustainability, farming, biodiversity and the importance of protecting our natural environment.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  &#8220;Many of the concerns we discussed then remain highly relevant today. Rural communities still face challenges around farming, economic pressures, access to services and protecting the environment while supporting livelihoods.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  &#8220;If anything, those conversations have become even more important over the past decade.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfordmail.co.uk\/news\/26646986.uk-comedy-legend-68-mugged-fought-horrid-attack\/?ref=ed_recent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK comedy legend, 68, mugged and fought in &#8216;horrid&#8217; attack<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  The Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need will see Mr Craven walk through the Peak District with children supported by projects funded by the charity.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  This latest interview comes after a recent Wales Online article which stated that the TV legend had shared a &#8220;poignant final wish&#8221; about returning home to his roots in Yorkshire.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  In the article, Mr Craven was quoted as saying: &#8220;Still one of my favourite places in the world is Wharfedale and Otley Chevin, where I used to cycle with my mates.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  &#8220;I love the coast too, especially Whitby, though we had family holidays in Bridlington because I suspect it was a bit cheaper.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  &#8220;I&#8217;d like to come home and have my ashes scattered in Yorkshire, maybe on the top of Otley Chevin.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 86-year-old has presented the popular BBC rural affairs show for 37 years, having started in 1989. 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