Steve Backshall

Here is a full biography of Steve Backshall, including career, personality, and notable quotations, with citations:

Steve Backshall – Life, Career & Memorable Quotes

Steve Backshall (born April 21, 1973) is a British naturalist, explorer, TV presenter, and author. Discover his journey across wild terrains, his philosophies on nature and adventure, and his most compelling quotes.

Introduction

Steve Backshall is a prominent British naturalist, wildlife presenter, explorer, and author, widely known for his work on BBC’s Deadly series and various expedition shows. He has built a career out of venturing into extreme environments, bringing lesser-known species and wild places into public awareness, and inspiring audiences—especially younger ones—to care for the natural world. His voice combines curiosity, respect for nature’s danger, and a belief in human responsibility to conserve.

Early Life and Education

Stephen James Backshall was born on 21 April 1973 in Bagshot, Surrey, England.

He attended Collingwood College, Camberley, and Brooklands College for his sixth form.

Backshall studied English and Theatre Studies at the University of Exeter.

Multilingual, he speaks Japanese, Indonesian, and Spanish, and began learning Welsh more recently.

Early Career & Entry into Wildlife Media

Backshall’s media journey began when he wrote for the Rough Guides, including a guide to Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

He undertook an ambitious attempt to cross New Guinea solo (in Irian Jaya) over three months, though it was not fully successful. He used that experience to vet his own capacities for remote travel and wildlife work.

Around 1998, he filmed himself in Colombia—walking through rainforest filming spiders and animals—and sold that footage to National Geographic. That became a stepping stone into full television work.

He was then appointed “Adventurer in Residence” by National Geographic International, producing and presenting shows such as Game For It and EarthPulse.

Career & Major Projects

Television & Expeditions

Backshall’s TV presence spans many series and expedition projects. Key ones include:

• The Really Wild Show (BBC) — an early role in mainstream wildlife TV

• Deadly 60 (and spin-offs) — locating 60 of the world’s “deadliest” species in their habitats, defining his recognizable brand.

• Lost Land of the Tiger, Lost Land of the Volcano, Lost Land of the Jaguar — expedition series profiling remote ecosystems and species.

• Expedition with Steve Backshall — a long-term project involving multiple expeditions into relatively unexplored wild regions.

• Steve Backshall’s Extreme Mountain Challenge — in 2016, he attempted first ascents of tepuis in Venezuela under harsh conditions.

He also participated in Strictly Come Dancing (2014) and other TV appearances beyond purely wildlife shows.

Writing & Books

Backshall is a prolific author. He has written:

• Nonfiction titles such as Venom: Poisonous Creatures in the Natural World and Wildlife Adventurer’s Guide.

• Deadly 60 companion books, Deadly Diaries, and Deadly Detectives aligned with his series.

• Fiction for young readers: The Falcon Chronicles series (e.g. Tiger Wars, Ghosts of the Forest) centered around adventure, conservation, and wildlife themes.

He has expressed that fiction was formative in his youth and that he hopes to entertain but also inspire readers to explore nature.

Personal Life & Interests

Steve Backshall is married to Olympic rower Helen Glover.

They have three children: their first son was born in 2018 (after the tragic loss of a twin), and twins were born in 2020.

He lives in Cookham, Berkshire.

Backshall engages in a number of outdoor pursuits beyond TV: rock climbing, mountaineering, endurance events, adventure racing, and canoeing.

He endured a serious accident in 2008: a 10 m fall that fractured vertebrae and required many surgeries and rehabilitation.

Steve also places importance on languages and culture: he speaks multiple languages, and more recently has worked on learning Welsh.

Honors & Recognition

• He has won BAFTA awards (e.g. Best Children’s Television Presenter, Best Factual series) for his television work.

• In 2020, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to charity and wildlife conservation.

• In July 2023, he received an honorary degree from Bangor University and is an honorary lecturer there.

• In September 2025, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University for contributions in naturalism, media, and public life.

• A species of toad, Osornophryne backshalli, was named in his honor by the World Land Trust.

Personality, Philosophy & Approach

Steve Backshall is known for a combination of:

• Courage & Risk Awareness: He often places himself in dangerous wildlife situations, but with respect, protocol, and awareness of risk.

• Passion for Education & Outreach: His work often bridges entertainment with conservation messaging.

• Respect for Nature’s Power: He frequently emphasizes that nature is not out to get us, but that humans must respect limits and act responsibly.

• Resilience & Perseverance: His recovery from serious injury and ongoing expedition work showcase mental and physical toughness.

• Storytelling & Curiosity: He often frames his expeditions as narratives, drawing audiences into his sense of wonder and discovery.

Notable Quotes

Here are several memorable quotes attributed to Steve Backshall:

“The number one piece of advice that you would ever get with working with any large predator is don’t run. If you stand confident up in its face it’ll probably just wander away, but if you turn and run it triggers what’s known as the predatory impulse.”

“And there are very few wild animals that can’t run down a human being; the big predators would run down Usain Bolt without even thinking about it. So your only chance is to stand your ground!”

“Fiction was a massive, massive part of my formative years, far more so than television ever was, and I always hoped that my future would lie with writing.”

“I surround myself with books, kind of hoping the vast knowledge will just seep into my mind through osmosis.”

“Living my life in conservation, I see far greater tragedies and crimes against wildlife than the loss of a few thousand badgers. The real reason so many people are so unsettled by the cull is its sinister reflection on the democratic process, on our government’s attitude to conservation and to science.”

These quotes reflect his stance toward wildlife, writing, education, and environmental politics.

Lessons from Steve Backshall’s Life

From his story, we can learn:

1. Embrace Risk with Respect
   Real exploration involves danger, but also preparation, humility, and respect for nature’s limits.

2. Balance Passion & Communication
   To reach wider audiences, expertise must be paired with compelling storytelling and empathy.

3. Recover & Adapt
   Serious setbacks (e.g. injury) don’t have to stop one’s mission—resilience can convert adversity into renewed purpose.

4. Continuous Learning
   Backshall’s dedication to languages, science, writing, and new environments shows that growth never stops.

5. Small Actions, Big Message
   Conservation often advances not via headline events but through persistent raising of awareness and engagement.

If you’d like, I can also build a chronological timeline of Steve Backshall’s expeditions, or compile a complete list of his books and TV shows. Would you like me to do that next?