Springwatch Unsprung
Entertainment meets wildlife when Springwatch Unsprung returns at 6.30pm on BBC Two for two weeks - from 5 June to 16 June at the new Springwatch base in Gloucestershire.
Published: 23 May 2017
Chris Packham returns as host, accompanied by a host of celebrity guests, from film stars to comedians, authors to musicians, all of whom share a love for wildlife. They’ll be joining Chris on the sofa alongside renowned wildlife specialist guests who may be showing off their bugs and birds, discussing the latest use of dogs in conservation or thrilling the audience with their tales of adventure.
Lining up already are comedienne and former Bakeoff host Sue Perkins, news correspondent Frank Gardner, renowned chef Michael Caines, actress Stephanie Cole, local poet Pam Ayres, rower Helen Glover and BBC Two’s Pottery Throw down presenter Sara Cox. Joining them will be wildlife presenters Kate Humble, Simon Reeve and Steve Backshall, among others. In addition, all have taken up Chris’s 2017 wildlife challenge: to create a new species for a future United Kingdom.
Back by popular demand is Chris Packham’s wildlife masterclass, Hide Share.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood will be on sparkling form alongside Chris in a hide in Craig’s own back garden, from where they vote on the wren’s song - but who will turn Mr Nasty? Dan Snow also throws open his garden to Chris where they discuss the meeting of military and natural history while looking out over the Solent. War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, comedian Julian Clary and five-time Paralympic Champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds are among the other hide share celebrities.
Audience interaction will remain at the heart of the programme, with Lindsey Chapman manning the digital hot desk to provide a direct connection with the audience at home via social media. She will enable Chris and his guests to take comments, questions and observations from viewers at home as they come in. There’ll be a daily quiz and the odd surprise for someone in the studio audience when Chris awards a much coveted ‘wildlife hero’ award. Whether it’s a teenager in Northern Ireland who blogs about protecting animals, an elderly couple who rescue bats and hedgehogs or someone who’s created a toad patrol, we want to recognise such dedication.
Plus there’ll be a sneak peak behind the scenes of Springwatch each night. What goes on as Michaela, Chris, Martin and Gillian plan and rehearse the 8 o’clock show. And who gets most upset when the blackbird chick fledges just as the show comes off air?
