Chris Packham: ‘When I was 14, I had a kestrel. I have never been happier or more in love since’

Born in Southampton, Chris Packham, 65, gained a zoology degree at the University of Southampton. He began his TV career on The Really Wild Show in the 1980s and went on to front other BBC programmes such as Springwatch and Earth. In 2023 he presented the documentary Inside Our Autistic Minds. His bestselling memoir, Fingers in the Sparkle Jar, was voted the UK’s favourite nature book in 2018 and his awards include a CBE for services to nature conservation. Chris Packham’s World of Wonder: A Planet on the Edge is touring until 1 December. He has a partner and lives in Hampshire.

When were you happiest?
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.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My mother used to call me the most tactless boy in the world. Don’t ask me what I think of your new haircut unless you really want the answer.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Lack of honesty.

Describe yourself in three words
Combative, resilient, determined.

What would your superpower be?
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.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Everything. I close my eyes when shaving! I’ve invested in my brain because I thought that was more worthwhile than investing in my body.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Eating chocolate in bed, because I get brown smears on the sheets. My partner, Charlotte, says, “Someone’s going to go into one of your hotel rooms and think you’ve got some sort of bowel disorder.”

What scares you about getting older?
I’m not someone who’s afraid of their own mortality.

What is the worst thing anyone’s ever said to you?
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.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Listening to repetitive techno.

What was the best kiss of your life?
When Itchy my dog was going to be euthanised the following morning and we had arranged for the vet to come, he jumped on to the bed – as he did every night to lick my face before we slept – and licked my face for 45 minutes without stopping.

What is the worst job you’ve ever done?
At a meatpacking company I had to take a pallet of frozen kidneys and smash them to pieces to put into sausages, and I was essentially just covered in blood.

When did you last cry, and why?
I nearly cried two minutes ago telling you about that kiss from Itchy.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I haven’t had one.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Knowledge.

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who tried hard.

What happens when we die?
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.