Radio, retirement. But too old to ruck ‘n’ roll
And hero quits BBC show to spend e time with family.. and his band
me has come to hand over avour life with his five
hree, who orward to gs with his n Beattie’s aid: “I ’ m ad to be my headget upset it. y is going t I have to when I go, ve on and y always do. I was just a massive BBC wheel but I d enjoyed every moment. o? I ask myself every day te a little letter telling s been the honour of my life. I don’t think I can keep up the pace any more and it’s time for someone else to do it.
“I look around and many of my rugbyplaying mates aren’t living past their 70s. I think I might have 15 years left in me tops and I would like to spend those years with my chi ldren and grandchildren. I missed a lot of time with my children growing up as I was always working and I don’t want to miss out on seeing my grandkids grow up.”
John, who broke the news that the G o v e r nme n t wa s emptying the hospitals int o c a r e home s during the covid crisis, admitted broadcasting came calling at one of the toughest moments in his life.
He said: “I injured my knee before the first World Cup in 1987 and was told my playing days were over. I was destroyed. I quit my job as an engineer and started retraining as a chartered tered accountant.
“Around the same time the BBC invited me inn for a chat. They asked mee to talk to a series of pictures res and they paid me £ 27.
From that moment on,
I became the rugby by expert on their shows. s.
“In 2010, after years of doing sport, I was given n my own lunchtime e show. I didn’t sleep p for three months questioning why I was doing a news programme when there were so many good news journalistss but I always loved getting stories.”
John, who was also a host on the BBC’s political programme TheTh Nine,Ni added: dd d “Of all the teams I have been a part of, the BBC have been the best and most diverse of all. I may be quitting my Drivetime show but I’m hoping it won’t be the last time you hear me on the airwaves.”
Here, John gives the lowdown on his most memorable broadcasting moments.
INTERVIEWING INTER HIS DAUGHTER JEN ABOUTA HER BREAST CANCER CANC BATTLE
This was a really tough one. The months after Jen was diagnoseddiag with breast cancer in 2020 were the hardhardest of our lives. We did not know whether she was going to live.
It all hahappened in lockdown and I had to ask permission permiss to drive down and see her. I am not religious but I remember praying to a swan at the side of theth canal near her flat.
I intervinterviewed her afterwards and was so humbled when she said her cancer was not about her but abouta using her profile to make sure other young women got checked. She’s a superstar.