John Huntley joined Granada Television in April 1976 after a spell as a teacher.

He had earlier graduated from York University where he was a contemporary of Jeremy Fox who had subsequently gone on to Granada. It was Jeremy Fox who contacted John to ask him if he would be interested in a job.

John began his Granada career on Granada Reports, initially as Bob Greaves’ researcher.

He later worked in the sports department on the weekly football show Kick Off. After a successful stint as a Presenter, John then became a Producer, working with Shelley Rodhe on Friday Night and subsequently on programmes such as Connections, which he devised and produced.

He left in 1992 to go freelance. John also met his wife, the designer Maggie Coombes, at Granada.