Chris Packham Shares Heartbreaking Family Admission on Winterwatch
In a deeply personal revelation, wildlife presenter Chris Packham has opened up about his childhood and the profound impact it had on both his career and that of his sister, fashion designer Jenny Packham. The Winterwatch host, known for his passion for nature and the outdoors, revealed that their upbringing was marked by a constant struggle to satisfy their parents' expectations, leading to feelings of being underachievers despite their later success.
A Childhood of High Expectations
Chris, 64, shared that he and Jenny grew up trying to meet the high standards set by their parents, Rita and Colin. He described how their mother and father placed a "disproportionate amount of interest" in his education, which inadvertently led Jenny to "rebel" against them. Both siblings, however, ended up feeling like they were never doing enough, a sentiment that fueled their drive to "overachieve" in their respective fields.
The Moment That Stood Out
Chris recalled a particularly poignant moment from his teenage years. After winning a category in a photography contest, he excitedly told his mother about his achievement. Her response, asking if he had won the entire competition and telling him he could "keep trying," left a lasting impression. Chris described the attitude as "harsh" but admitted it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
A Father Who Never Saw a Job as Finished
When asked if his parents ever expressed pride in his accomplishments, Chris said, "I don’t recall it to be fair." He went on to describe his father as a very fair man but one who was always focused on the next step. "My father would acknowledge that I had taken a step but then he would always be interested in what are you going to do next. ‘Okay, top work, that’s good, now what are you going to move on to?’"
The Driving Force Behind Success
Despite the emotional toll, Chris believes that the early work ethic instilled by his parents was the driving force behind his and Jenny's success. The siblings, who grew up in a working-class family with "nothing" to their name, had to rely on hard work and belief in meritocracy to achieve their goals. Chris said, "If we hadn’t got up and started doing stuff and worked really hard and believed in a meritocracy and invested in things where we thought we could develop skills and attributes that would allow us to achieve some of the things that we may have wanted to achieve, then without that background of needing to always good the extra mile, hundred miles, neither of us would be doing what we’re doing."
A Love for the Outdoors
Chris also revealed that his father, Colin, inspired his love for the outdoors. The two would frequently head into the countryside on Sunday mornings "looking for wildlife or bits of history." This early connection with nature led him to take up a role as a part-time cameraman after graduating from university. His career in television began to take shape in 1983 when he landed his first major job on The Living Planet and The Living Isles.
A Career Spanning Decades
Chris's career in television has spanned decades, with notable roles on shows like Ourselves and Other Animals and The Really Wild Show in 1986, where he worked alongside Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games. Since 2009, he has been a familiar face on the BBC's Springwatch and its sister shows, including the current Winterwatch. The show, which airs on BBC Two, explores the wonders of winter, including hardy woodlands and wading birds.
Return to Winterwatch
Chris returns to screens tonight (January 20) from 7pm on BBC Two with Winterwatch. Tonight’s show, broadcast from the Mount Stewart estate on the east shore of Strangford Lough, will see the presenters discovering the beauty and resilience of nature during the winter months. Alongside Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams, Chris brings his unique perspective and deep knowledge of the natural world to viewers.
A Lasting Legacy
Chris Packham's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of early life experiences on one's career. His candid revelations about his childhood and family dynamics offer a rare glimpse into the personal life of a celebrated television presenter. As he continues to inspire audiences with his work on Winterwatch and other nature programs, his story serves as a reminder that even the most challenging beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements.
