From 1998 to 2008 he was the senior presenter of CBBC’s Newsround.
And Lizo Mzimba was back in the news this week after making an unlikely appearance onstage at the Coachella music festival in California.
The respected journalist, 54, said he was “honoured and grateful” after a flashback of his from his time on the children’s show was projected onto a giant screen during the first appearance of elusive British artist Jai Paul.
The English singer-songwriter made his solo debut on the legendary stage after years of producing music for the likes of Beyonce, Ariana Grande and Drake.
Lizo, who is now the BBC’s entertainment correspondent, shared a photo of the historic and unexpected moment on Twitter after the set.
Unexpected: Former Newsround host Lizo Mzimba made an unexpected appearance on stage at Coachella during the performance of the elusive British artist Jai Paul on Thursday
Iconic: The respected journalist, 54, said he was “honoured and grateful” after a flashback of his from his time on the children’s show was projected onto a giant screen
What a day! Lizo shared a photo of the historic and unexpected moment on Twitter after the performance
Writing: “Never thought a picture of me from my Newsround days would be projected onto a giant screen at Coachella this weekend.”
“Very honored and grateful. Thanks @Jai_Paul’.
The fans who rushed to the comments were thrilled to see the presenter and they had many questions as well.
One wrote: “No way! Please tell me the history of this…”
While another added: “How? Why? Wonderful, but there are BIG questions.
Last year, former Newsround presenters such as Lizo, Channel 4 News’ Krishnan Guru-Murthy, ITV’s Julie Etchingham and John Craven celebrated the show’s 50th anniversary.
Among the program’s major news items was coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
The shuttle broke apart and exploded in January 1986, minutes before that day’s Newsround episode aired.
Debut: English singer-songwriter Jai Paul made his debut on the legendary stage after years of producing music for the likes of Beyonce, Ariana Grande and Drake
Surprise: Fans who raced to the comments were thrilled to see the legendary presenter and were left with questions
Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley in all eight films, has been urged to audition for the lead role in the franchise after seeing a report on Newsround.
Paying tribute to Newsround, Mr Craven told the BBC: “Newsround is as important today, if not perhaps more so than it was 50 years ago when it started.
“Because in this world of fake news, untruths being spread, and children being given access to all means of communication, it is so important that they have access to a program that they believe is theirs, that subscribes to she judges and tells them the truth. ‘
When Newsround started, it was one of the first news programs in the world specifically aimed at children.
It aired for up to 15 minutes each weekday before the main evening news at 6pm.
For its first 15 years on the air, the show was called John Craven’s Newsround.
Then in 1987, when other moderators came along, it was shortened to its current name.
Anniversary: Last year, former Newsround presenters such as Lizo, Channel 4 News’ Krishnan Guru-Murthy, ITV’s Julie Etchingham and John Craven celebrated the 50th anniversary of the show (LR) Lizo Mzimba, Ellie Crisell and Laura Jones in 2003
Baby Steps: When it started on April 4, 1972, John Craven’s Newsround was just a six-week experiment. Above: A broadcast of the show in the 1970s
Rich history: Lizo, who hosted Newsround from 1998 to 2008, said it was “impossible” to come up with “just one fond memory” of his time on the show
Mr Craven stayed on as editor and presenter for a further two years before departing in 1989.
The show was much more informal than the BBC’s main news edition, with the presenter standing rather than sitting.
Mr Craven also coined the phrase “and finally” which he would use before capping the show off with a lighthearted story. The technique is still used today.
Mr Grint, who is now 33, said he applied for a role in the Harry Potter films when he saw a report on the upcoming franchise on Newsround.
Lizo presented Newsround with future familiar face Matthew Price (above left). David Bull (pictured above right) is now a politician from the Reform UK party. Kate Sanderson (below left) is now a presenter with the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS)
Helen Skelton was also an occasional presenter on Newsround. She is now a well-known broadcaster
Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley in all eight films, has been urged to audition for the lead role in the franchise after seeing a report on Newsround
During the filming of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2000, he told the BBC: “I found out that you can audition [for the film] by sending a picture of yourself and some information to Newsround. I made my own video.’
He said he posed as his acting teacher, performed a rap, and invented his own screenplay.
Mr. Grint’s performance impressed the franchise bosses, who chose to cast him as Ron Weasley in all of the films.
Ms Etchingham joined the Moderators Group in 1994 and remained in her post until 1998. She is now a lead presenter for ITV News.
Mr Craven said: “When Newsround started in 1972 it was a six-week experiment and I was asked to do it because I was already doing a children’s program called Search, which was our weekly current affairs programme.
“So I came up with the word Newsround because it reminded me of a newspaper round, so it would involve kids.
“And then the boss said, ‘Well, if it’s a newspaper round, it’s usually someone’s newspaper round, so this will be John Craven’s news round.’
“That’s how it got the title and the audience seemed to like it. So that six-week experiment came to an end and they said we’re going to do it full-time.”