Crane started his career in radio before applying for Children's BBC in 1986, making his debut late that year before taking over as sole presenter from Phillip Schofield. In this role he presented the interstitial sections of the schedule through the use of in-vision continuity. Presenting from the continuity announcer's booth, nicknamed 'The Broom Cupboard', Crane presented links until leaving in 1990, to be replaced by Andi Peters. In addition to Children's BBC, Crane also acted as a relief presenter on Top of the Pops in 1988 and 1989 and was thrown into the 'gunk tank' on the first Comic Relief telethon. After leaving the BBC, Crane moved to co-present the hit technology magazine Bad Influence!, for CITV, with Violet Berlin, between 1992 and 1996. He also presented Motormouth and What's Up Doc? on weekend mornings during the early 1990s. From 1997 to 1999, Crane was one of the in-vision continuity presenters on Challenge TV.
