Countryfile's John Craven, 86, reveals wish to have ashes scattered on Yorkshire's Otley Chevin

Craven Expresses End-of-Life Wishes

John Craven, the long-serving presenter of BBC's Countryfile, has revealed his wish to have his ashes scattered on the top of Otley Chevin in Yorkshire. The 86-year-old, who has been the face of the rural affairs programme since its launch in 1989, made the admission during a recent interview with Farmers' Guardian, as reported by both the Daily Star and the Daily Express.

Craven, who now lives in a village near Banbury in Oxfordshire with his wife and raised two daughters there, spoke of his deep affection for Yorkshire, a region he has long considered home. "Still one of my favourite places in the world is Wharfedale and Otley Chevin, where I used to cycle with my mates," he said.

He continued: "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."

Craven also recalled spending many of his childhood holidays in Bridlington.

A Career in Broadcasting

Before becoming known as the champion of the countryside, Craven spent close to two decades fronting Newsround, the children's programme he created in 1972. His tenure on Countryfile has spanned four decades, making him a familiar figure to viewers across the UK.

Reflecting on his early days with Countryfile, Craven spoke about the challenges the production team faced when trying to film on farms. "In the very early days of Countryfile, it was very difficult to get cameras onto farms and to get farmers to speak to us," he said. "It took a long time to win farmers over and let them open the gates of the farm and let us in."

He noted that the initial hesitation of farmers to appear on camera has now largely disappeared, with more people willing to share their stories. However, he stressed that significant challenges remain for British agriculture. "The balance between environmental concern and the need to produce more food, that is the big issue that faces the country today," he said.