Johnny Haddon Downes

Who was Johnny Haddon Downes?

Johnny Downes DFC was an English Royal Air Force flyer and television producer.

Born in Great Easton, Leicestershire, Downes attended The King's School, Grantham. After training as a surveyor, he joined the Royal Air Force on the outbreak of the Second World War, became a flight lieutenant navigator in Mosquito Night Fighters of No 604 Squadron, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the war, he took up a career in theatre as stage manager for Ivor Novello’s King's Rhapsody, later working as a circus producer and ringmaster.

In 1953, Downes joined the BBC as floor manager, was promoted to producer, and developed the live children’s television show Crackerjack, which he produced and directed for 10 years. After the departure of Eamonn Andrews as Crackerjack presenter, Downes discovered Leslie Crowther and engaged him to take-over Andrews' role. He produced Crackerjack in Australia where it was shown on ABC, later returning to the BBC to produce the Basil Brush Show and Call My Bluff.

Downes married Barbara Whiting, singer and actress, in 1951.