Living as the odd man out
LOOKING at Chris Packham’s jolly showbiz persona, it’s perhaps surprising to discover that the broadcaster and naturalist has long battled with a secret condition – autism.
Famous for presenting The Really Wild Show in the late 80s and, more recently, Springwatch, Chris has Asperger’s syndrome.
It means he struggles in social situations, has difficulty with human relationships and is, by his own admission, “a little bit weird”.
But for most of his life he didn’t tell anyone, and in fact the 56-year-old was only diagnosed in his 40s.
“I’ve spent 30 years on telly trying to act normal,” he confesses in this frank and honest documentary. “At times it’s been immensely difficult.”
Now Chris has decided to talk about his autism, and investigates new treatments and radical therapies. He also explores the question of whether he would ever want a cure. The science is fascinating but most engaging is the story of Chris’s life. There are family photos and revealing interviews with his nearest and dearest, including his sister Jenny, his long-term partner Charlotte and his stepdaughter from a previous relationship, Megan.
He also gives accounts of how he was bullied at school, the “catastrophic” death of his pet kestrel as a teenager and his love of nature.
Chris lives alone in the woods with his “best friend” Scratchy the dog and doesn’t have the need for social contact. It’s tough for Charlotte who describes Chris as sometimes “like an alien”.
She says: “It seems impossible sometimes to make progress but the return is worth it. He’s fascinating.”