Simon Groom | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1950-08-12)12 August 1950 (age 75) |
| Education | Herbert Strutt Grammar School,Derbyshire |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham |
| Occupation(s) | Television presenter Journalist Producer |
| Television | Blue Peter (1978-1986) |
Simon Groom (born 12 August 1950) is a British producer and director. He was a presenter ofBlue Peter from 1978 to 1986.
Groom was born inChesterfield inDerbyshire,[1] and was brought up on a farm inDethick, which he later often visited forBlue Peter reports. He was educated at Herbert Strutt Grammar School inBelper,Derbyshire,[2] followed by theUniversity of Birmingham.
Groom worked briefly as an English teacher, before becoming a disc jockey and joiningBlue Peter in 1978. Groom's co-presenters onBlue Peter wereLesley Judd,John Noakes,Christopher Wenner,Tina Heath,Peter Duncan,Sarah Greene,Janet Ellis andMichael Sundin.
Groom became known among the programme's production team for his dry humour and ability toad libinnuendo in his broadcasting. One such statement was at the end of a piece on a replacement door knocker atDurham Cathedral, declaring "what a beautiful pair of knockers".[citation needed]
After leavingBlue Peter, Groom hosted a morning show onBBC Radio Bedfordshire. In 1992, he released a cover version ofElvis Presley's hit "Can't Help Falling in Love" on his own record label. Groom produced his first TV documentary,Angels & Devils, a critically acclaimed biopic of film directorKen Russell, reviewed as 'Pick of the Day' in bothThe Daily Telegraph andThe Guardian. Groom also wrote, directed and producedA Steamy Affair: the Story of the Flying Scotsman forChannel 4. His other television documentaries includeBucking Mad, the story of an English rodeo rider, andFull Circle: the Saving of Derby's Roundhouse, both broadcast by theBBC.
Groom has also produced and presented documentaries forBBC Radio Four, includingGeorge Oliver: A Man For All Seasons, the story of aBedfordshire gamekeeper;Peak Park Pressures (about Britain's first national park); andFerry Across the Mekong: twoSony Award-nominated thirty minute programmes in which Groom makes a return trip to Cambodia. In 1979, he was one of the earliest Western journalists to enter the country, following the end ofPol Pot's regime.
Groom's documentaryThe Flying Scotsman: A Rail Romance, was transmitted onBBC Two in March 2013. The 60 minute programme has since been repeated twice on the channel.[citation needed]
Groom has worked as an ambassador for the city ofDerby, and in 2010 was given an honorary degree by theUniversity of Derby in recognition of his contribution to broadcasting.[citation needed]