Steve Backshall Recalls His Unusual Childhood on a Surrey Farm

Presenter Steve Backshall has spoken about how growing up on a small farm in Surrey inspired his lifelong love of nature and wildlife.

‘A crazy version’ of The Good Life

Backshall said his parents took over the farm when they were in their 30s and filled it with rescue animals.

“We filled it with rescue animals and we didn’t know anything about it. We were making everything up as we went,” he said.

He recalled his childhood as a “crazy version” of the television sitcom The Good Life.

“That was my childhood, and it was truly incredible,” he said.

Steve Backshall’s wildlife research

Backshall studied at Canterbury Christ Church, where he conducted research on amphibian venom. He later received an honorary doctorate from the university.

Deadly 60 focuses on fearsome predators

Explaining the appeal of his television series Deadly 60, Backshall said the programme focuses on some of the world’s most fearsome predators.

“We intentionally work with the types of animals that fascinate everyone, including birds of prey, sharks, crocodiles, snakes, spiders, scorpions and big cats,” he said.

“Whether you think they like wildlife or not, they’re going to be vaguely interested in those things.”

He added with a laugh: “Even if they don’t, they might be looking at me with some vague hope that something might attack me.”

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