Adrian Edmondson has opened up about his relationship with his father during the latest episode of Sam & Ade Go Birding, admitting his dad was "always disappointed" in him.
In the show, the comedian and actor Samuel West reflected on the past while discussing their teenage years. Edmondson recalled a moment when his father tried to explain the birds and the bees.
Father's disapproval despite success
Speaking candidly, Edmondson said: "My dad was, I think, always disappointed in me. Even from when I was objectively successful." The Bottom star added: "He enjoyed the fact that I was on television, but doing that horrible swearing."
He went on to say his father would have preferred him to become a doctor or a lawyer. Edmondson was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1957 and was the second of four children. His childhood involved frequent moves, as his father worked as a teacher for the British Armed Forces.
Show's success and recognition
Sam & Ade Go Birding has become a popular addition to television schedules since it first aired this year. The show has earned praise from critics and viewers for its gentle tone, humour and the friendship between its presenters.
Following its first series, the programme was longlisted for the National Television Awards in the Returning Docuseries category. Comparisons have been made with BBC's Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, which similarly combines the British countryside with friendship and unhurried conversation.
Expertise and return for second series
Samuel West is an RSPB Ambassador and an experienced birder, with a UK life list of more than 400 species. The programme is produced by Frank Films and launched as a three-part series in April 2026.
After the success of the debut series, Sam & Ade Go Birding returned for season two on Thursday, 1 October. The new series sees the pair visit parts of Britain including the Yorkshire Dales, the area where All Creatures Great and Small is filmed and set. Sam & Ade Go Birding airs Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 5.
