Chris Packham reflects on his childhood bond with a kestrel

Chris Packham, 65, was born in Southampton and earned a zoology degree from the University of Southampton. He started his television career in the 1980s on The Really Wild Show before presenting BBC programmes like Earth and Springwatch. In 2023, he fronted the documentary Inside Our Autistic Minds. His memoir, Fingers in the Sparkle Jar, was named the UK’s favourite nature book in 2018, and he has received a CBE for services to nature conservation. Currently, his tour, Chris Packham’s World of Wonder: A Planet on the Edge, continues until 1 December. He resides in Hampshire with his partner.

When asked when he was happiest, he said: “When I was 14 years old I had a kestrel and I would get up before school to fly it. Nothing else happened that summer. My whole world revolved around that one bird and I have never been happier or more in love since.” Regarding the trait he most deplores in himself, he noted that his mother labelled him the most tactless boy, advising people not to ask his opinion on a haircut unless they truly want the answer. He stated that the trait he most deplores in others is a “Lack of honesty.” When asked to describe himself in three words, he chose: “Combative, resilient, determined.”

On the topic of superpowers, he explained: “My mantra is: ‘Winning is not giving up.’ If I’ve got to do something, it doesn’t matter what you throw at me, I won’t give up.” He dislikes everything about his appearance, adding: “I close my eyes when shaving! I’ve invested in my brain because I thought that was more worthwhile than investing in my body.” His most unappealing habit is eating chocolate in bed, which leaves brown marks on the sheets. He mentioned that his partner, Charlotte, says: “Someone’s going to go into one of your hotel rooms and think you’ve got some sort of bowel disorder.”

Regarding ageing, he said he is not afraid of his own mortality. He finds flattery to be the worst thing said to him, noting: “The worst thing is flattery because it’s of no use to me. Criticism is so much more useful, if it’s constructive. I don’t mean the endless trolling, obviously.” His guiltiest pleasure is listening to repetitive techno. He described the best kiss of his life as the night before his dog, Itchy, was to be euthanised, when the dog licked his face for 45 minutes without stopping.

He recalled the worst job he ever held was at a meatpacking company, where he had to smash frozen kidneys to be used in sausages, leaving him covered in blood. He admitted to nearly crying two minutes before the interview while discussing the memory of Itchy. He does not believe he has had a greatest achievement and would prefer knowledge over sex, money, or fame. He wants to be remembered as someone who tried hard. Concerning death, he said: “I’m going to get mixed with the ashes of Itchy and Scratchy [Packham’s other late miniature poodle], which live in a drawer in my room, and my surviving friend is going to scatter them under a beech tree in woodland where I used to walk them.”