Chris Packham Opens Up About Childhood Expectations and Career Drive
Wildlife presenter and Winterwatch host Chris Packham has shared a poignant reflection on his upbringing, revealing how parental influences shaped both his and his sister's professional journeys. The 64-year-old television personality discussed the complex dynamics of growing up in a household where approval was hard-won, yet ultimately forged a powerful work ethic.
A Family Dynamic of High Expectations
Packham explained that his parents, Rita and Colin, placed a "disproportionate amount of interest" in his education, which inadvertently led his sister, renowned fashion designer Jenny Packham, to rebel against their expectations. Despite their different responses, both siblings grew up with a persistent feeling of being "underachievers," a sentiment that Chris believes drove them to work exceptionally hard to overcompensate and succeed in their respective fields.
He recalled a particularly telling moment from his teenage years on the Homing podcast, when he told his mother about winning a category in a photography competition. Instead of celebration, Rita inquired whether he had won the entire contest, followed by the encouragement to "keep trying." Chris described this attitude as "harsh" but acknowledged that, in retrospect, he doesn't view it as entirely negative.
The Lasting Impact of Parental Standards
When questioned about whether his parents ever expressed pride in his accomplishments, Packham responded candidly: "I don't recall it to be fair." He elaborated on his father's perspective, noting that Colin was a "very fair man" who never considered a job truly finished. There was always a focus on the next step, the next achievement.
"So my dad would acknowledge that I had taken a step but then he would always be interested in what are you going to do next," Packham remembered. "'Okay, top work, that's good, now what are you going to move on to?' It was always about the next thing." He admits this forward-looking mentality has stayed with him, stating he is "not particularly interested in the past" and remains focused on future goals.
Forging Success From Working-Class Roots
Despite the emotional complexity, Packham credits this early environment with instilling the drive that propelled both siblings to the heights of their careers. "We were two working class kids, we didn't have anything," he reflected. "If we hadn't got up and started doing stuff and worked really hard... neither of us would be doing what we're doing." He believes the necessity to "always go the extra mile" was fundamental to their success in wildlife broadcasting and high fashion.
Packham also shared that it was his father who initially nurtured his love for the natural world, with Sunday morning trips into the countryside to look for wildlife and historical sites. This passion eventually led him to a part-time cameraman role after university, paving the way for his television career.
A Storied Career in Wildlife Broadcasting
His breakthrough came in 1983 with roles on The Living Planet and The Living Isles, followed by work on Ourselves and Other Animals. A significant turning point arrived in 1986 when he began presenting the beloved children's series The Really Wild Show alongside Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games, a programme that ran for nine years on the BBC.
Since 2009, Packham has been the familiar face fronting the BBC's Springwatch series and its seasonal counterparts. He returns to screens tonight, January 20th, at 7pm on BBC Two for the latest episode of Winterwatch. Broadcasting from the Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough, the episode promises explorations of hardy winter woodlands and wading birds, continuing his lifelong mission to share the wonders of the natural world.
