Roger Johnson was born in Chesterton, Staffordshire, England, in 1969 and grew up in Newcastle-under-Lyme. He is the son of BBC Radio Stoke commentator Nigel Johnson, which influenced his early interest in media.

After studying at Newcastle-under-Lyme School, the University of Birmingham, and spending time at the University of California, Berkeley, Johnson joined the BBC. He began his career in radio before moving into television in 1997 as a sports journalist on BBC South Today.

In 2011 he became lead presenter of BBC North West Tonight, replacing Gordon Burns. He also regularly presents BBC Breakfast, the BBC News Channel, and contributes to national news coverage.

Johnson is married to Lucy Johnson and they have three children together. In addition to his broadcasting, he supports charitable causes and has anchored regional Children in Need broadcasts for many years.