A graduate of Oxford University, John is widely known as one of the best political commentators and was voted the Best Individual Television Contributor of the Year at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer Awards for 1999. Before joining ITN in 2000 as political editor, John was the BBC's chief political correspondent for eight years.
After an early comedic foray appearing in the 1966 award-winning BBC TV comedy series On the Margin with Alan Bennett, John decided to pursue his passion for journalism. Following several years at the Liverpool Echo, he joined the BBC in 1970 and was soon reporting on major events from around the globe. He was war correspondent in Vietnam, Cyprus, Israel, and Rhodesia. In addition, he regularly reported from Northern Ireland and has been at different times correspondent in Washington, Paris and Dublin. In 1981 he became BBC's political correspondent for television and radio.
John wrote and presented a BBC TV documentary series called The Europe We Joined, in addition to presenting major current affairs programmes on Radio 4, including Today and The World at One.
He won a British Press Guild award for The most memorable live broadcast of the year in 1990 when he was pushed aside by Lady Thatcher's press secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham, beating the footballer, Paul Gascoigne nominated for his famed tearful outburst.
Since leaving frontline political commentary his comedy talents have been re-exposed with appearances on Have I Got News For You (Ian Hislop described him as one of the funniest guests in the history of the programme). Other comedy successes followed, including a memorable encounter with Paul Merton in Room 101. On Radio 4 he has been a guest on the News Quiz and many other programmes including A Good Read. He has also presented Pick of the Year.
His recent appearances on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, showcasing his considerable ballroom skills won him a new army of fans. John is an eloquent raconteur with wit, charm and insight in abundance.
