Countryfile presenters

The first episode of Countryfile was broadcast 35 years ago today and since then, it has become a staple Sunday night viewing for families across the country. The BBC One hit programme has been exploring places and issues at the heart of the British countryside since its first episode on July 24, , after it replaced the long-standing show, Farming.

Over its more than three-decade-long tenure, a number of faces have come and gone as hosts of the show, except for John Craven.

Countryfile calendar 2025

The renowned broadcaster started work on the show a year after its launch and remained as the main presenter up until Here, we take a look at where some of the presenters are up to now as it celebrates its year history. Chris Baines was one of the first presenters of Countryfile and became known as one of the UK's leading independent environmentalists.

After leaving the hit show in , he went on to work on other wildlife spin-off shows, including Charlie's Wildlife Gardens with h Charlie Dimmock. Also among the first-ever presenters was Ian Breach, who sadly died from lung cancer in The former Guardian journalist moved into television when he began making films for BBC's Look North and other programmes.

They led to a successful period in Birmingham as chief reporter on Countryfile before he became one of the BBC's first environment correspondents. Roger Tabor was another one of the original presenters on the show thanks to his expertise as a biologist and naturalist. On the 30th anniversary of the show in , Roger tweeted: "What an amazing series we started.

Roger is now recognised as one of the leading authorities on the felines. The show's most longstanding presenter is John Craven, who has been the face of the programme for more than 30 years. He joined the Countryfile team following success on BBC's Newsround - originally known as John Craven's Newsround - which saw him become a household name among the broadcaster during the seventies and eighties.

John, who left the show as a full-time host in , has been with his wife, Marilyn, for more than 50 years after their paths reportedly first crossed at the BBC. The dad-of-two daughters previously described the mum of his kids as his 'rock', adding: "Without being too soppy, she was always there for me, which is the main thing in my business because it can be precarious.