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John Craven’s Newsround

"Hello? BBC? I'd like to register a complaint about Roger Finn." "And that's about it from me" Don't forget you've got that drink there, John

THAT’S JOHN CRAVEN’S Newsround. Not the parade of non-threatening blandalikes in trendy haircuts who came afterwards. Original ‘Round presented real news in a pre-CSE digestible manner (VAT, energy crisis, Rhodesia), child-friendly trivia (domino toppling, Gossamer Albatross) and the TONIGHT-style “humourous” And Finally story which now forms ninety per cent of ITN’s evening bulletins. John had reliable uncle role down to a tee with copious wardrobe of chunky-knit sweaters to match. Frantic xylophone/percussion theme Johnny One-Note icing on the cake. One of the best programmes ever made.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Terry

    March 28, 2015 at 10:31 am

    John Craven was very wise, and I enjoyed his rasping delivery. The glory of Newsround almost forgives the interminable banality of Countryfile, but not quite.

  2. Paul

    March 13, 2016 at 1:06 am

    theme tune was by Delia Derbyshire, and probably didn’t include a xylophone.

    • Andrew Costin

      August 3, 2017 at 5:03 pm

      Sorry but you’re wrong, yes it was done by the radiophonic workshop but it was composed by John Baker.

      http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5579

      Play above link from 56.54 although it’s all good.

  3. Des E

    September 3, 2017 at 3:34 am

    “Not the parade of non-threatening blandalikes in trendy haircuts who came afterwards.”

    Bit harsh on the late Helen Rollason, I think. Also, I loved Ellie Crisell to bits and still do.

    But I certainly *don’t* disagree that John was the best. And it can’t be disagreed either that none of the theme tunes used since “Johnny One Note” have been *quite* as catchy and memorable…

  4. Glenn Aylett

    September 29, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    I can remember the reporter Lucy Mather fronting a heavy rock band and being featured on Blue Peter playing a gig in a pub. Also John Turnbull’s reports on Skylab and The Space Shuttle being first rate and as good as anything you’d get on an adult bulletin. Newsround was something I always enjoyed and Newsround Extra on a Friday was like a Panorama for kids.

    • THX 1139

      September 29, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      Reg Turnill was Newsround’s space correspondent, Gawd bless ‘im.

  5. Chris Stobart

    May 11, 2023 at 4:58 pm

    Out of the ‘blandalikes’ Krishnan Guru-Murthy did well for himself going on to present Channel 4 News. Juliet Morris also did well as did the aforementioned Helen Rollason whose early death from cancer was so sad.

  6. Richardpd

    May 12, 2023 at 11:21 pm

    I remember Roger Finn often seemed to cover space related stories, he had a very difficult edition early in his time as newsreader on the day of the Challenger disaster.

  7. Glenn Aylett

    May 13, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    I always enjoyed Newsround and in particular Reg Turnill( got the name right) and his coverage of space events that were as professional as the main news. Also the theme tune and the memorable sting at the end were fantastic.

  8. MattP

    May 15, 2023 at 7:48 am

    Paul McDowell…..the forgotten man?

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