Beeb gave me complete freedom for royal party

The presenter and writer, 55, reveals why she’ll always be grateful to Phillip Schofield and why covering the Golden Jubilee is her happiest live TV memory

Hi Philippa. What have you been enjoying on TV recently?

I was moved to tears by love on the spectrum on netflix, which follows autistic young adults as they explore the unpredictable world of love and dating. i was afraid it would poke fun at the participants but instead, it helps us understand the challenges they face.

Which TV programmes influenced you growing up?

I loved david Attenborough’s natural history documentaries. He’s great at breaking down complex scientific theories. it was also fascinating to see how technological advances in film-making enabled us to get closer to the natural world.

How did you get into television?

I was producing a student tv show at Birmingham University and wanted live studio experience. i managed to get on to Going live! and the co-presenter, Phillip schofield, gave me the number of a woman he thought i should chat to. He probably had an inkling she was looking for presenters but i didn’t twig until our “chat” turned into an interview and led to a job. Philip has come in for a lot of flak but i’ve only ever seen him support people.

What’s your happiest live TV memory?

Covering the Golden Jubilee for the BBC in 2002 when i interviewed people lining the Mall and taking part in the parade. i was given complete freedom. david dimbleby would cut to me and a producer would say in my ear: “Just keep going!”

What was your best tomorrow’s World prediction?

We predicted digital cameras and smartphones, and i flew out to Australia to cover the story of a boy who was one of the first to have a diabetes finger prick test to check for high blood sugar.

What are your memories of filming the Halcyon river Diaries series?

Filming an otter hunting ducks. the life of a female mallard is brutal. she endures everything from gang rape to sitting on her nest of eggs with rats, otters and mink wanting to eat them.

Tell us about your new book...

It’s packed with inspirational stories from women who have benefitted from a life spent in the wilderness and considers what they have to offer the natural world in return.

Wild Woman: empowering Stories From Women Who Work in nature by Philippa Forrester is out now in hardback (Bloomsbury Wildlife, £18.99)

David is great at breaking down complex scientific theories