Latest news with #AnimalMagic
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC presenter & film producer left six-figure sum for his wife after death aged 95
The wildlife icon passed away in September 2024 STAR'S ESTATE BBC presenter & film producer left six-figure sum for his wife after death aged 95 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER BBC presenter and film producer left a six-figure sum for his wife following his death last year, aged 95. Tony Soper, the former BBC wildlife presenter, died in September 2024 and left a £628k fortune to his family. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Wildlife presenter Tony Soper died last year, aged 95 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 4 He left a £628k fortune to his family following his death Credit: Getty 4 Tony Soper Date: 19/06/69 Photo: Salmon Neg No: W6104 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Soper left instructions in his will for his estate to pass to his wife Hilary, who he had lived with in a home in Slapton, Devon. He was born in Southampton in 1929 and brought up in Plymouth. It was there that he began his long career at the BBC as a trainee engineer in 1947 before progressing onto radio and producing. His TV break came when he filled in as unofficial assistant floor manager for Wild Geese in Winter in 1954. And his debut as a presenter was on Animal Magic with Johnny Morris in the 1960s. He was the co-founder of the BBC's Natural History Unit which began in 1957 in Bristol and has produced countless wildlife programmes around the globe. The unit has become world renowned and produced the Planet Earth series narrated by another wildlife icon, Sir David Attenborough. According to his website, he started working as a freelancer in 1963 so he could live closer to the sea in Devon. As well as a wildlife camera operator, Soper was also a film producer and went on to present a number of TV shows. His skill in front of the camera earned him the nickname 'One-take Tony'. BBC presenter Tony Soper introduces Birdwatch He presented Birdwatch, Birdspot, Discovering Birds, Discovering Animals, Beside the Sea, Wildtrack and Nature. Soper later pursued a career in leading wildlife cruises to the Arctic and Antartica. He also penned a string of books about wildlife in the UK and further afield. Following his sad passing last September, former colleagues flocked to social media to pay their tributes. Lorraine Kelly said at the time: "On one of my very first shows presenting on TVam, this wonderful kind man came on to talk about his book on owls. "He was a joy and a delight." Wildlife presenter Stephen Moss said: "Very sad news - Tony Soper was a huge influence on generations of birders and broadcasters. "I had the huge privilege of working with Tony and getting to know him. "The last person who was there at the start of the BBC Natural History Unit - a lovely man." Soper is survived by his wife Hilary, his two sons Tim and Jack and his five grandchildren.
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Monmouth Concert Orchestra to host 'Animal Magic' concert
The event, titled "Animal Magic," is set for Sunday, June 15, at St Mary's Priory Church, Monmouth, from 4pm to 6pm. The audience can expect a programme featuring music from Bach, Handel, and Saint-Saëns. Tickets are priced at £8, with free entry for under-16s, and are available from orchestra members or at the door. The orchestra will be raising funds for Cwmbran-based charity, All Creatures Great and Small, which rescues and rehabilitates animals. The Monmouth Concert Orchestra is made up of amateur musicians from Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, and the Forest of Dean. They meet fortnightly during term time and are always open to new players, provided they are of Grade V standard or above. There are no auditions.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Countryfile's Adam Henson shares insight into famous relatives including EastEnders actor uncle
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has shared a rare insight into his famous family, including his uncle Nicky Henson, who starred in EastEnders among other shows Adam Henson, known for his regular appearances on Countryfile, has recently provided a glimpse into his family life, which boasts connections to EastEnders and television stardom. The 59-year-old presenter, who first hit screens in 2001, grew up familiar with the glam world of showbiz thanks to his father, Joe Henson, who featured in programmes like Animal Magic, and shared the screen with broadcasting legend Angela Rippon. In a chat with Minerva magazine, he reminisced about rubbing shoulders with celebrities who visited the farm on account of his dad's media work, and discussed his uncle, Nicky Henson, a notable actor guest-starring in series such as Inspector Morse, Lovejoy, and Fawlty Towers. Nicky also had a role on EastEnders as Jack Edwards in 2006. Adam recalled: "My dad used to work on the telly with Johnny Morris on Animal Magic and a program called In The Country with Angela Rippon. "So the telly wasn't alien for me. And my uncle was a famous actor, Nicky Henson. So we used to have celebrities coming to the farm," reports Gloucestershire Live. Sadly, Nicky Henson passed away in 2019 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Prior to his passing, he reflected on his life post-diagnosis in an interview. He expressed gratitude for his extended time, saying: "For the last 18 years, I've regarded myself as 'being in extra time', which I never expected to have, so I'm very thankful for it. "I got my first cancer on Christmas day 18 years ago and didn't think I was going to survive, after I was told I had a large tumour and would have to be operated on." The actor's health battle involved major surgery to remove the first tumour, which entailed taking out half of his colon and a third of his stomach. Although he initially recovered, a follow-up scan a few years later revealed another tumour, prompting a six-month course of the medication Gleevac to shrink it to a size suitable for surgery. Adam credits his wife and father for encouraging him to take the leap into showbusiness, suggesting he apply for a presenting role. Prior to his TV debut, he had taken over the family farm in 1999, two years before landing his breakthrough role on Countryfile. In an interview with Minerva, Adam shared: "My wife worked in television and did a presenter search. So she and my dad persuaded me to apply and we agreed that it wouldn't matter if I had a go at trying to get a job presenting, but never thinking I'd get the job. "And amazingly I managed to land it and been doing it ever since." Adam is set to return to Countryfile alongside co-presenters Matt Baker and Sammi Kinghorn, airing tonight (Sunday, May 4) at 7pm on BBC One.
