Latest news with #SteveBackshall
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Extra date added for wildlife show in Dorset
Wildlife and adventure will take centre stage this October. Bournemouth is set to welcome Deadly Live!, the new UK arena tour from BAFTA-winning wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, based on the popular BBC series Deadly. An extra date has been added to the tour, with a show now scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Tickets are available now from Steve Backshall said: "I'm thrilled to be bringing Deadly Live! to arenas across the UK later this year for the very first time. READ: Classic and supercars to go on show in grounds of Dorset castle "We've got some amazing stunts and incredible experiments planned for this new supersized show for all the family, as we explore animals from 600 million years ago right through to modern day." The tour will visit 10 major arenas during the October half-term, kicking off in Newcastle on Friday, October 24. Deadly Live! promises an immersive experience for all ages, featuring big cats, birds of prey, Dinomania dinosaurs, snakes and more. Audiences can expect daring stunts, hands-on experiments, and the latest in wildlife science, all delivered in a fast-paced, interactive format. The show aims to entertain while educating audiences about the natural world and its most formidable predators.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Loose Women star crashes out of Celebrity Bridge Of Lies as she's bested by true or false question - but can YOU solve it?
A Loose Women star has crashed out of Celebrity Bridge Of Lies after she was bested by a true or false question. Sunetra Sarker, 52, who has been a panellist on the ITV chat show since 2021, appeared on a recent episode of the star-studded version of the BBC quiz show. The show, hosted by EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, 60, sees teams of four must answer true or false questions to create a bridge across the floor. They do this twice - in an individual cash builder each before another round to determine if they will take the money home. Casualty and Ackley Bridge actress Sunetra appeared alongside naturalist Steve Backshall, 52, presenter Jason Mohammad, 51, and art expert Natasha Raskin Sharp, 39. Sunetra impressed for most of the programme, getting right to the final round and very close to winning the money for charity - before falling at this last hurdle. The Loose Women star, 52, who has been a panellist on the ITV chat show since 2021, appeared on a recent episode of the star-studded version of the BBC quiz show She chose the wrong answer, with the bridge lighting up red and Ross and her teammates all looking devastated for her. For the last, all-important question, the Loose Women star had been given four statements and she had to identify which one was true. The first two were that Virgo is the only star sign represented by a person and that white chocolate contains cocoa butter. The last two stated the first Red Nose Day happened before Live Aid and that Oddjob is the villain in the Bond film Thunderball. With the help of her teammate Jason, Sunetra had managed to narrow it down to two answers. He went straight in saying the first Red Nose Day definitely happened after Live Aid so this option could be ruled out. Sunetra soon chimed in to say Virgo is represented by an archer but symbols for other star signs like Gemini also contain people - so that statement must also be false. The pair agreed it was between the white chocolate and Oddjob options but were struggling to come down on either side. Oddjob, played by Japanese wrestler Harold Sakata (pictured), was instead the villain in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery as the lead spy In the end, they both erred on the side of Oddjob and Sunetra quickly moved to stand on that tile to create the next stage of her bridge. But after a long, excruciating pause, host Ross soon revealed it was a lie. Oddjob, played by Japanese wrestler Harold Sakata, was instead the villain in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery as the lead spy. Sunetra narrowly avoided embarrassment earlier in the episode too, when she nearly answered wrongly to a question about one of her Loose Women co-stars. One statement, about a beloved British sitcom, read: 'Tracey Stubbs is a character in Birds of a Feather.' The panellist guessed this was true and was extremely happy when Ross told her this happened to be correct. But she was taken aback when the presenter revealed: 'Yeah, she's played by Linda Robson - your fellow Loose Women star!' Linda was a panellist on the ITV lunchtime programme from 2012 to 2018 before returning in 2020 - a year before Sunetra joined the show. Sunetra said, shocked: 'You're kidding me! She'll never forgive me. Sorry!' It comes after Ross Kemp asked a very cheeky question on a recent episode of the show featuring another Loose Women star, Kaye Adams, 62. Kaye appeared on the show alongside Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins, 50, and presenters Ade Adepitan, 52, and Matt Allwright, 55. But it was Charlotte who shared the slightly risque moment with Ross, who read out a quiz category called 'horny animals' to her, which made her nervously giggle. The category name was soon clarified, with Ross explaining she would need to step on tiles that have animals with horns, antlers or tusks on them. 'The category is animals, what are we looking for?' Ross exclaims. After the category is revealed, Charlotte laughs, saying, 'Okay'. While Ross adds: 'Horny animals! We are looking for animals where the males or females usually have horns antlers or tusks.'
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ignore climate change deniers, says TV naturalist Steve Backshall
A television wildlife presenter said climate change "is happening" and people should ignore politicians and public figures who think otherwise. Steve Backshall was speaking as a guest at the Youth Climate Conference at Suffolk One Sixth Form College in Ipswich on Tuesday, which gave 250 young people from across the county the opportunity to engage in conversations about the climate. Previous speakers at the event includes Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and activist Scarlett Westbrook. He said: "If you hear a politician or public figure trying to throw shade on the simple facts of climate change do not listen to another word they say in public ever again... it is happening." The event featured talks from the charity, Kids Against Plastic, workshops and advice from location environmental groups. Known for children's shows including Deadly 60, Backshall said it was a "great privilege" to share what he has experienced in his career, see how the planet is changing and feel a sense of hope. He said: "It's critical that someone in position recognises that climate anxiety is a real thing... especially for young people there is nothing that takes away your impetus to act, than just a sense it's all screwed and there's nothing we can do about it."People need to be empowered. They need to have a sense that they are important and the things they do can make a difference." Backshall said: "A young person who is energised, who has a purpose, who has a vision, who thinks they can make a massive change is the most exciting thing to be around on the planet."We hear endlessly about Greta Thunberg. Well there are tens of thousands of Greta Thunberg's in this nation along and 250 possible Greta's right here, sat right here today - the things they could achieve are boundless." The co-founder of Kids Against Plastic, Amy Meek, said young people play a "pivotal part" in tackling climate change and plastic pollution. She said: "Young people have this really infectious energy, especially kids who we often discount as being too young to really care about these issue... if we can mobilise that energy and that interest into actual positive action that can have a massive difference." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
My biggest challenge? Raising three young children in my 50s... TV adventurer Steve Backshall says fatherhood is harder than going up against crocodiles, sharks and hippos
He's the fearless adventurer who has wrestled with some of the world's most deadly predators, from 15ft crocodiles to killer sharks, and from venomous snakes to ferocious polar bears. But for wildlife expert Steve Backshall, it's at home where he faces his toughest challenge. The host of BBC 's Deadly 60, who is married to Olympic champion rower Helen Glover, admits that having three young children while in his 50s, is physically draining. He told The Mail on Sunday: 'I do wish I had the energy I had when I was in my 20s and 30s, to have the ability to sprint around playing football and rugby all day long with my kids, and for me to still be popping and buzzing with energy. 'But obviously I haven't and it's tough to keep going when you're 52 and you've got three kids under six. 'But I've got knowledge and experience and a whole array of things I can teach them about, help them with. 'Also I've got no choice! These are the cards that I was dealt, and I've got to make it work.' Backshall and Ms Glover, 38, have a son Logan, six, and five-year-old twins, Willow and Kit. He describes his wife as a 'mega-mum' and is proud that she was the first British female rower to go to an Olympic games after having children. Backshall, who presents a new podcast, That's Just Wild, said of his career: 'I think they are very excited by it and very proud – but also, the fact I go away a lot, they don't like at all. 'They really struggle with it. It's been hard ever since they could understand what I was doing. 'They would take me doing an office job and seeing me every day over me having this incredibly exciting job but always being away for long periods of time. Especially at the age they're at. 'Right now for this one little precious period of time in their lives all they want is to be with Mummy and Daddy.' Backshall, who took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, admits that he's an old fashioned father, saying: 'I do think that discipline and rules and structure are important for kids.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE He wrestles crocs on TV but being a Dad to young kids is what scares Steve Backshall most
On television he's the fearless adventurer who has wrestled with some of the world's deadliest predators, from 15ft crocodiles to killer sharks, and venomous snakes to ferocious polar bears. But for wildlife expert and naturalist Steve Backshall, whose BAFTA-award winning CBBC series Deadly 60, continues to inspire and educate children, it's at home where he faces his toughest challenge. In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, the much-loved and renewed explorer admits that having three children under six in his 50s, is physically challenging. While he absolutely loves what he does, and never expected to still be a huge children's television star at his age, there's no escaping the emotional struggle of spending long periods of time away from his family filming all over the world. Steve is married to two-time Olympic champion rower Helen Glover, 38, and the couple have son Logan, six, and five-year-old twins, Willow and Kit. He describes his wife as a 'mega-mum' and is incredibly proud of the fact that she was the first British female rower to go to an Olympic games after having children. Explaining what it's like being an older dad, Steve said: 'I do wish I had the energy that I had when I was in my 20s and 30s, to have the ability to sprint around playing football and rugby all day long with my kids, and for me to still be popping and buzzing with energy at the end of the day. 'But obviously I haven't and it's really tough to keep going when you're 52 and you've got three kids under six. But I've got knowledge and experience and a whole array of different things that I can teach them about, help them with, and also I've got no choice! These are the cards that I was dealt with and I've got to make it work.' While Steve's three young children are all proud of their 'cool dad' and love hearing about his dangerous expeditions, having to go away for weeks at a time is something that they struggle with. So much so that he reckons they'd all much prefer it if he had a normal 9-5 office job because it would mean he'd be at home with them a lot more. Steve said: 'I think they are very excited by it and very proud but also the fact I go away a lot, they don't like at all. 'They really, really struggle with it and it's been hard ever since they could understand what it was doing and actually, they would take me doing an office job and see me every day over me having this incredibly exciting job but always kind of leaving, and being away for long periods of time. 'Especially at the age they're at. Right now for this one little precious period of time in their lives all they want is to be with Mummy and Daddy.' When he is at home Steve loves nothing more than getting outdoors and exploring nature with his children, something which they all love. He said: 'From the moment they could crawl they were pond dipping, they were out in the canoes, they were climbing trees, doing all the kind of things that I did as a kid that I really wanted them to embrace and enjoy. 'They've kind of had no choice when it comes to that sort of thing but you can see how switched on they are. They are never more alive, more enthused, sparkle in the eyes than when they're out doing something active, physical, in nature. 'It's the same with animals too, whether it's domestic animals or wild animals, they just love it. I've got something that I can give to them that I know can make them happy and enthused.' Steve admits that he's quite an old fashioned dad, he said: 'I do think that discipline and rules and structure are important for kids, and I do think the things we've been doing for generations are timeless and they work for a reason. I think I'm quite an old fashioned dad.' Family time is also really important, and he's conscious of how quickly the years are going by. He said: 'It feels like an absolute heartbeat since they were crawling around and now all three of them are at school and all three of them have got quite grown up personalities, they're all very different from each other. Everything that everyone says about being a parent is so true.' While Steve's passion for nature has inspired generations of youngsters to appreciate and protect wildlife, there is one cheeky clip that will always follow him around. Back in 2013, while demonstrating the hydrodynamics of tuna for Deadly 60, he lost his swimming trunks while clinging onto a rope attached to the back of a speeding boat. He laughed: 'That will be there for the rest of my career no matter what I do! I could be winning endless awards and be knighted by the King, but that will still be out there, imagery of me being dragged around as naked as the day I was born. 'There's no getting away from it. I've been doing this a long time now and there are an awful lot of those "It'll be alright on the night" out takes of me being pooed on, having animals doing inappropriate things in the back ground behinds me, it's just one of those things, you've got to embrace it. 'I do quite a lot of big shows and talks, I've got a big one coming up in October, an arena tour which is rather exciting, I always play bloopers in those shows because people just love them, they find them hilarious.' So what do the school mums think of having a hunky explorer in the playground? Steve said: 'The mums in the playground are all much more adoring of Helen. There's no getting around it, she is mega-mum and she is this incredibly inspiring, iconic figure, so they're all like... 'Oh yeah, the old git who likes bothering bugs or the four-time Olympian who basically went to her third Olympic games when she had three kids under two? 'Who you going to be more admiring of? She's been to four Olympics, she's got two gold medals and one silver medal. She did her third Olympic games post-pandemic, she'd just had the twins, trained herself at home, with no coach, no special diet or routine and became the first British female rower to go to the Olympic games after having kids.' Steve recently filmed a special expedition in the Arctic, which saw him walk the same path that King Charles did 50 years ago to see how the area has changed over time. He's just launched his new podcast That's Just Wild, which went straight to the top of the science podcast chart, and is preparing for his first big arena tour this October. He said: 'The podcast is so exciting. We've just launched. It's with my two good friends Lizzie Daly and Sarah Roberts, and we basically sit around and talk nonsense about nature, the both of them have real academic backgrounds, so there's some really eye-popping science in there as well, it is very funny, sometimes very serious, full of a lot of amazing stuff that people would not have heard before about animals. 'We had a really exciting launch and went straight to the top of the science podcasts which was just fantastic. Then arena tour that I've got coming up in October is something that I've wanted to do for a very long time. 'I've been doing stage shows since about 2008, and I've been developing them over time to make them more and more spectacular, the idea of doing a one man show, in a 20,000 seater arena is both the most exciting and intimidating thing I've ever had on my plate. 'That's the big thing I'm wanting to tick off. It's incredibly exciting and very very frightening. If it goes well, it's going to be epic.' And although he appeared on BBC's smash hit Saturday night show Strictly Come Dancing back in 2014, Steve's response to any other big celebrity shows has been a blanket 'no' because he is just too busy doing what he loves. He said: 'Strictly was an incredible experience with the best people. But I have a fairly blanket 'no' I'm up to my eyeballs in the stuff that I love and that is dear to me. 'An awful lot of people in my position do not have all that work, so I do feel that breath down the back of my neck, and I do need to keep doing the stuff that I am good at, and while the opportunities are there I need to take it because they might not be there in a couple of years time. 'So yes occasionally, there will be mentions of things but I'm not really interested. Anything physical like Strictly, Dancing on Ice, you have to give it six months of your life and not do anything else, and right now I've too many other things that I want to do. 'And as for I'm A Celebrity, I can't imagine for a minute, why would they take me to the jungle? I spend my life in the jungle. 'This may sound big headed but I spend more time in the jungle than the people that they would have as their advisors so why would they take me? I would be the worst person to take. It sounds so pretentious, but we're in June and I've had five weeks in the jungle already this year.' Readers can listen to Steve's new podcast, That's Just Wild, podcast here and tickets for his huge arena tour this October are available via Tickemaster.
