Johnny Ball

Much loved children’s TV presenter and radio personality Johnny Ball is remembered by many for his science and mathematics’ programmes Think which were broadcast on the BBC throughout the 70’s and 80’s. The father of popular television and radio presenter Zoe Ball, Johnny Ball is known as one of Britain’s most eccentric TV presenters but is fondly remembered for his ability to bring difficult and complex subjects to life in a fun and accessible fashion.

Making his first appearance on British television in the late 1960’s Johnny Ball remained solidly working as a children’s TV presenter for most of his career; his series Think of a Number, Think Again, Think Backwards and Think… This Way were all popular fixtures on the BBC throughout the 1970’s and 80’s are a credited with helping to make maths and science engaging and entertaining to an entire generation.

Despite only leaving school with two O levels himself, one in maths and the other in geography, Johnny Ball was applauded for the successful nature of his scientific broadcasting and, several years after the end of his Think and Reveal series, continued to appear as a TV presenter and science expert.

Outside his work as an educational television and radio presenter Johnny Ball was also a long standing member of the Play School presenting team, another BBC venture in which he was involved for almost two decades.