Simon Groom was born on 12 August 1950 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and was brought up on a farm in Dethick. His parents’ names are not publicly documented, though his rural upbringing on the family farm would later shape much of his on-screen identity. He was educated at Herbert Strutt Grammar School in Belper, Derbyshire, followed by the University of Birmingham. He worked briefly as an English teacher before becoming a disc jockey and joining Blue Peter in 1978.

He joined Blue Peter on 15 May 1978, on BBC One, immediately being placed in charge of Goldie, a seven-week-old golden retriever puppy. His co-presenters over the years included Lesley Judd, John Noakes, Christopher Wenner, Tina Heath, Peter Duncan, Sarah Greene, Janet Ellis and Michael Sundin. During his time on the show, he travelled the globe, spent time in war-torn Cambodia after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, and covered the famine crisis in Ethiopia.

After leaving Blue Peter, Groom produced his first TV documentary Angels & Devils, a critically acclaimed biopic of film director Ken Russell, voted Pick of the Day in both The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. He also wrote, directed and produced A Steamy Affair: The Story of the Flying Scotsman for Channel 4.

Groom is a passionate fan of Derby County F.C. He and his wife Gilly run a sheep farm in Derbyshire, where they are actively involved in developing environmental projects. He has worked as an ambassador for the city of Derby and in 2010 was given an honorary degree by the University of Derby in recognition of his contribution to broadcasting.