Countryfile legend John Craven shares ‘poignant final wish’

The 86-year-old has presented the popular BBC rural affairs show for 37 years, having started in 1989.

Prior to that, he had a 17-year stint on Newsround after originally launching it on the BBC back in 1972.

Away from TV, Mr Craven lives in a village near Banbury with his wife, where the couple brought up two daughters.

Now, Wales Online reports that the TV legend has shared a “poignant final wish” about returning home to his roots in Yorkshire.

In the article, which was published in recent days, Mr Craven was quoted as saying: “Still one of my favourite places in the world is Wharfedale and Otley Chevin, where I used to cycle with my mates.

“I love the coast too, especially Whitby, though we had family holidays in Bridlington because I suspect it was a bit cheaper.

“I’d like to come home and have my ashes scattered in Yorkshire, maybe on the top of Otley Chevin.”

This article comes after a recent interview with Farmers’ Guardian, in which Mr Craven opened up about the difficulties of filming in the early days of Countryfile.

He said: “In the very early days of Countryfile, it was very difficult to get cameras onto farms and to get farmers to speak to us.

“It took a long time to win farmers over and let them open the gates of the farm and let us in.”

Farmers are now more open and willing to share their experiences, he said, but warned there remain significant questions over balancing food production with environmental goals.

“We need to up the amount of food that is produced in this country,” he said.

“The balance between environmental concern and the need to produce more food, that is the big issue that faces the country today.”