'Luck seems to be wearing thin' Countryfile host John Craven addresses health concerns
COUNTRYFILE presenter John Craven has opened up about his health woes in a candid admission.
Countryfile: John Craven jokes about 'green fingers'
John Craven, who is a regular presenter on Countryfile, has addressed his health concerns in a candid interview. The 81-year-old broadcaster suggested that his "luck seems to be wearing thin" as he spoke out about grappling with his vision and hearing woes.
The TV presenter, who presented Newsround for nineteen years, joined Countryfile in 1989 and has been one of its most-loved presenters ever since.
During his 50 years on the TV screen, he admitted that he has experienced some "lucky breaks" over the years.
The BBC host revealed that he believed he was running out of luck from as early as aged 40.
The on-screen star said it was the moment his eyesight became "blurred".
He told the MailOnline: "There are, of course, times where luck seems to be wearing a little thin.
"I’ve always had good health — hardly a day off work through illness — but, in my late 40s, my eyesight started to become blurred."
The Countryfile presenter admitted his biggest concern at the time was having to wear glasses on-air.
John explained that he was grateful that his spectacles were not a major issue for television.
But two decades later, the presenter said that he began to have problems with his hearing.
He commented: "Then, in my 60s, my hearing began to fail.
"I couldn’t make out conversations in crowded places, the sounds of nature became muffled and ‘say it again’ started to become a common response."
After a routine check, John was told that his hearing levels had dropped by 20 per cent since his first test in 2008.
DON'T MISS...
Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt rushed to 'emergency' surgery[LATEST]
Deborah James in cancer update after being 'rushed' into surgery[HEALTH]
Homes Under The Hammer's Martin Roberts horror injury after fall[TV]
The Countryfile presenter revealed that as a result of his hearing issues he has continued to wear an aid.
John added: "There seems to be something of a stigma about hearing aids and yet, these days, many of them are almost invisible.
"Mine even eliminates wind noise when I’m out."
John is a familiar face on the nation’s TV screens, adored by legions of fans for presenting BBC’s wholesome countryside show Countryfile.
After several stints working in local newspapers and radio, the aspiring presenter finally had his big break and joined the BBC in 1970.
John is married to his wife Marilyn who he met through his early work in TV, and they have been together for over fifty years.
The presenter is often joined on the programme by co-presenters Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison, Tom Heap and Adam Henson just to name a few.
Countryfile airs tonight on BBC One at 5pm.