Now I’m an endangered species, says Springwatch star Martin
FORMER Springwatch presenter Martin HughesGames says he is an “endangered species” on
TV – because he is “white, middle-class, old-aged”.
The popular host, 63, left the BBC nature show last year after 12 years in the presenting line-up.
Asked if he would return, Hughes-Games told Radio Times: “Oh, don’t ask me that.
“I think the commissioner’s a bit grumpy with me, because I’m white, middle-class, old-aged. Who wants me on their show?
“I’m an endangered species. Let’s hope that conservation efforts keep me going, rather than going extinct.”
He added there are “white, middle-class, old-aged presenters who are actually quite good at their jobs”.
In September 2016, HughesGames announced on Twitter that he was being axed by the BBC, prompting anger from his fans, who described it as “an outrage” and promised to send irate messages to the broadcaster. Days later, it appeared there had been a change of heart by the BBC and he confirmed he would return to the long-running show.
Now, after leaving for good last year, Hughes-Games admits he misses the show “terribly”, particularly his rapport with co-presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan.
He said: “We email and text each other all the time.
“I’m still very much in contact with them. I miss them very much indeed.
“Michaela, Chris and I had a lovely chemistry which was the most wonderful thing to be a part of. It was just great, it really was.”
Asked if he watches the show now, he said: “Do you know what? I find it very difficult to watch. I do a bit. I feel so close to them, both professionally and emotionally.” ●●The full interview is in this week’s Radio Times, out now.