Interview: Chris Packham, Presenter, author and photographer

Published on Sunday 18 October 2009 13:33

Who would attend your fantasy dinner party?

My hero Neil Armstrong, as well as Charles Darwin and Audrey Hepburn (circa 1961).

Who did you last text and what was the message?

My daughter to say, "I hope you're concentrating and that all is well in Boyland."

It's not cool but...

I thought Love, Actually was a jolly good yarn.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Don't accept a job you can't do, you'll be found out.

What's the worst job you ever had?

Cleaning the toilets in a meat factory.

Favourite fictional character?

Any from F Scott Fitzgerald or Cormac McCarthy's novels.

What are you afraid of?

Complacency.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

When I was in a punk band, Sponge, after Nancy Spungen.

What situations make you lose your temper?

Watching some TV programmes sets off an angry chemical reaction in my body – for example, Big Brother.

What profession would like to try?

Astronaut. I'd do anything to get away from this planet and see it from a distance.

What is always in your fridge?

Chilled white wine, leftovers.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

I'd probably change everything – apart from my sex.

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

I'd visit Little Bighorn in 1867, to solve the mystery of Custer's last stand.

Saturday night or Sunday morning?

I don't party as often as I used to but it can run into the next day.

Who or what is the love of your life?

My poodles, Itchy and Scratchy.

www.chrispackham.co.uk

This article was first published in The Scotsman on 17 October 2009