John Mountford
Encyclopedia
John Mountford is a British
television executive and former broadcaster. His father, Arnold Mountford, was an acclaimed international expert in British
ceramics
.
Mountford studied English literature
at Queens University Belfast. In 1973 he enrolled on a studio manager's training scheme at BBC World Service
in London
, soon progressing to producing and presenting programmes on the international radio network
. In a gradual move to television
, he became a researcher on The Book Programme and 60 Minutes
. In 1983 John was amongst the line up of presenters on the BBC's first breakfast television show, Breakfast Time
. He was also a reporter for Esther Rantzen
's That's Family Life. John was the inaugural voice to air at the launch of BBC Radio Norfolk
in 1980 where he continued to have a regular show for several years alongside co-hosting BBC1's Friday night magazine show, Weekend; famously 'baring all' on a nudist beach in the opening title sequence of the programme.
He began to scale down his broadcasting commitments during the late 1980s. Mountford is currently chief executive of a production company in Norwich making television advertising and branded video content for social media applications.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television executive and former broadcaster. His father, Arnold Mountford, was an acclaimed international expert in British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ceramics
Ceramics (art)
In art history, ceramics and ceramic art mean art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made from clay and other raw materials by the process of pottery. Some ceramic products are regarded as fine art, while others are regarded as decorative, industrial or applied art objects, or as...
.
Mountford studied English literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
at Queens University Belfast. In 1973 he enrolled on a studio manager's training scheme at BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, soon progressing to producing and presenting programmes on the international radio network
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
. In a gradual move to television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, he became a researcher on The Book Programme and 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
. In 1983 John was amongst the line up of presenters on the BBC's first breakfast television show, Breakfast Time
Breakfast Time
Breakfast Time was British television's first national breakfast show, beating TV-am's flagship programme Good Morning Britain to the air by two weeks.The show was revolutionary for the time...
. He was also a reporter for Esther Rantzen
Esther Rantzen
Esther Louise Rantzen CBE is an English journalist and television presenter who is best known for presenting the BBC television series That's Life!, and for her work in various charitable causes. She is founder of the child protection charity ChildLine, and also advocates the work of the Burma...
's That's Family Life. John was the inaugural voice to air at the launch of BBC Radio Norfolk
BBC Radio Norfolk
BBC Radio Norfolk is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Norfolk, broadcasting since 11 September 1980. It broadcasts from the studios of BBC East in The Forum, Norwich on 95.1 FM , 104.4 FM , 95.6 FM , 855 kHz AM/MW , 873 kHz AM/MW BBC Radio Norfolk is the BBC Local...
in 1980 where he continued to have a regular show for several years alongside co-hosting BBC1's Friday night magazine show, Weekend; famously 'baring all' on a nudist beach in the opening title sequence of the programme.
He began to scale down his broadcasting commitments during the late 1980s. Mountford is currently chief executive of a production company in Norwich making television advertising and branded video content for social media applications.