Ben Fogle, the 52-year-old television presenter best known for his role in the BBC reality series Castaway 2000, has warned that people in the UK are “in danger of being overwhelmed” and is considering leaving the country to live off-grid. Fogle, who has hosted shows such as Countryfile and Cash in the Attic, spoke to Radio Times about his concerns over social media and modern life.
In 2023, Fogle said he suffered a “small breakdown” after becoming “overwhelmed” by the “noise and chaos” of social media, experiencing anxiety and nervousness for the “first time”. He described a “mental health epidemic” in the nation but noted a stigma around discussing mental health struggles. He believes social media has become “an avalanche of negativity” that fuels hate and encourages constant comparison.
Fogle, who now spends less time on social media, said he would consider quitting the UK to live off-grid. He dreams of finding a cabin in Norway or Sweden, perhaps on an island in the Arctic Circle, where he can chop wood, take cold swims, and paddle a Canadian canoe. He also hopes to learn new skills such as painting or boat-building, but insists a dog would be essential.
Fogle’s beloved black Labrador Inca, who starred with him on Castaway 2000, was put down in 2012. He previously wrote that he “owes everything” to Inca, who helped him explore the island and cope with the loss of anonymity after the show. Fogle returns to screens with New Lives in the Wild, a show that explores how off-grid living helps people cope with bereavement, financial troubles, or mental health issues.
