Simon Groom
| Simon Groom | |
|---|---|
| Born |
12 August 1950 Chesterfield, Derbyshire |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Herbert Strutt Grammar School, Derbyshire, |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham |
| Occupation |
Television presenter Journalist Producer |
| Known for | Blue Peter (1978-1986) and a producer/director of documentaries |
Simon Groom (born 12 August 1950) is a British producer and director, best known as a former presenter of Blue Peter.
Groom was born in Chesterfield in Derbyshire, and was brought up on a farm in Dethick, which he often visited for Blue Peter reports.
Groom was educated at Herbert Strutt Grammar School in Belper in Derbyshire, followed by the University of Birmingham.
Groom worked briefly as an English teacher before becoming a disc jockey and joining Blue Peter in 1978. Groom's many co-presenters on Blue Peter until leaving in 1986 were Lesley Judd, John Noakes, Christopher Wenner, Tina Heath, Peter Duncan, Sarah Greene, Janet Ellis and Michael Sundin.
Groom became known among the programme's production team for his dry humour and ability to ad lib innuendo in his broadcasting (which would pass over the heads of the programme's main audience of children). Probably his best remembered such statement was at the end of a piece on a replacement door knocker at Durham Cathedral, declaring "what a beautiful pair of knockers". Another remark followed a piece about hedge maintenance where he closed with the remark, "As long as you have a decent length to start with, well then you can manage a good lay."
After leaving Blue Peter, Groom produced his first TV documentary: Angels & Devils, a critically acclaimed biopic of film director Ken Russell, voted 'Pick of the Day' in both the Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. He also wrote, directed & produced A Steamy Affair: the Story of the Flying Scotsman for Channel 4. His other television documentaries include: Bucking Mad, the story of an English rodeo rider and Full Circle: the Saving of Derby's Roundhouse', both broadcast by the BBC.
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