BBC Countryfile presenter Hamza Yassin has opened up about the challenging period when he was forced to live in his car for nine months while establishing himself in a remote Scottish community.
From Seven-Seater to Scottish Cottage
The wildlife expert, who also won Strictly Come Dancing and presents Let's Go For A Walk, spent nearly a decade living in temporary accommodation before settling into his current Hebrides-style cottage. Hamza has lived on the Ardnamurchan peninsula for 17 years in total, but his beginnings were far from comfortable.
He initially slept in a Vauxhall seven-seater vehicle for nine months before upgrading to a farmer's caravan that lacked heating and running water. A subsequent caravan provided at least basic water facilities, marking gradual improvements in his living conditions.
The Local Community's Silent Support
When asked about the most difficult aspect of car living, Hamza revealed his concern about being discovered by local residents. "Not being spotted sleeping in the back by the locals" was his primary worry, he told The Times.
The presenter described his morning routine of waking at 8am and pretending to catch the ferry to maintain appearances. However, he later discovered that the village's 150 residents had known about his situation all along but chose not to confront him about it.
"It turned out that they knew, they just never quizzed me," Hamza explained. Without refrigeration, he relied on local campsite facilities for showers during this challenging period.
Nature's Healing Power and Career Success
Despite these early hardships, Hamza has found profound peace in the Scottish landscape. In a recent Countryfile episode filmed off the Caithness coast while searching for orcas, he discussed how nature positively impacts his mental health.
"When I am busy, rushing around - my mind is all scrambled," he shared. "I love just going out and going to a place like this, where you see the wildlife, and see what happens to your mental health."
The cameraman described feeling as if someone had "cleared my mind of all the clutter" when immersed in nature, leaving him feeling completely at peace. He considers his wildlife work the "world's best job" that allows him to "go on safari" and "travel the world."
Hamza can next be seen on Countryfile on BBC One on Sunday, November 16, from 5.25pm to 6.25pm, continuing to share his passion for wildlife and the natural world that helped him through difficult times.
