logo
BBC Springwatch returns with special tribute as fans all rush to say same thing

BBC Springwatch returns with special tribute as fans all rush to say same thing

Daily Mirror26-05-2025

Springwatch returned to the BBC on Monday night for a special 20th anniversary series with Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams all back as presenters
Springwatch: Presenters open fresh series of show
BBC's beloved wildlife programme Springwatch has kicked off its 20th anniversary series, with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan returning as hosts.
Broadcasting from a new location in the picturesque Peak District, the duo introduced the first episode on May 26 with a nostalgic montage of clips featuring familiar faces, including Kate Humble and Bill Oddie, from the show's debut in 2005.

In his signature style, Chris Packham donned a bucket hat and peppered his opening segment with Oasis puns, teasing viewers that they were in for a treat: "You'll want to be here now as we're about to bring you the Champagne supernova of wildlife TV, starting tonight."

To celebrate two decades on air, the show has introduced a new feature, Springwatch Street, which delves into the secret lives of urban wildlife, showcasing the thriving populations of foxes and swifts in city environments.
Within minutes of the episode airing, fans took to social media platform X to share their delight at the show's return. One enthusiastic viewer exclaimed: "Springwatch at 20! Absolutely love this show! Great recap of the start and all of the amazing presenters that the show has had!" reports Gloucestershire Live.
Another loyal fan commented: "Springwatch is 20 - and I think I've watched every series."
A third viewer praised the show's hosts, saying: "Wonderful #springwatch is back - @ChrisPackham4 and @michaelastracha are national treasures."
Others welcomed the show's return, posting: "Lovely to have #Springwatch back on our screens. And from the #PeakDistrict too!" and "Ssshhhh it's finally #springwatch time! Welcome back."

Chris had fans buzzing with his not-so-secret Oasis theme, with one viewer tweeting: "@ChrisGPackham clearly on an Oasis kick tonight."
Others chimed in: "Oasis songs then Chris?" and noted: "Sneaky Oasis references in the first 10 minutes."
Some even teased: "Some might say that Chris is naming Oasis songs."

Meanwhile, Welsh presenter Iolo Williams drew attention with a new look as he checked in from a damp Belfast, saying: "My beard and I, we're going to take you on a Northern Ireland road trip," before outlining the wildlife features ahead, including foxes and seals.
"So Chris and Michaela we have got three wildlife-packed weeks coming up for you," Iolo declared, prompting a handover back to the Peak District. There, Michaela shared her approval of his new look: "I know, more rain, more hair - I like it. I almost think you look quite handsome actually Iolo."

Chris offered his humorous take: "I think he looks like a Norwegain resistance fighter in the Second World war personally."
Fans didn't hesitate to weigh in on Iolo's beard, with comments such as: "Liking the beard!" and "Loving @IoloWilliams2's beard."
Another added: "Silver fox sighting on #Springwatch already, Iolo definitely needs to keep the beard."
Springwatch is on BBC Two weeknights at 8pm

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'I won the Premier League at Chelsea, I'd love to join Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham'
'I won the Premier League at Chelsea, I'd love to join Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham'

Metro

time31 minutes ago

  • Metro

'I won the Premier League at Chelsea, I'd love to join Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham'

A Premier League title winner with Chelsea says he would 'love' to sign for Wrexham AFC as their Hollywood fairytale continues. The Welsh club has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the English football pyramid after it was bought by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2020. Their exploits on the pitch and the exposure from documentary series Welcome to Wrexham has also given the team a huge global fanbase. Next season they will play in the Championship and many believe it is not a case of if but when they will be promoted to the Premier League. Their promotion to the second-tier has seen them linked with a number of high-profile players and a former Chelsea star has openly admitted he would love to be a part of Wrexham's story. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'Wrexham is a really interesting project, both on the pitch and everything that comes with it,' Asmir Begovic told Fruity King. 'I like working with good people and having watched the documentary, the owners seem like amazing guys. That is the sort of club I'd love to work with and the idea of Wrexham really interests me. 'If it's the right situation for everyone then who knows, it's an exciting project.' Begovic is a veteran of English football, making 256 Premier League appearances for Portsmouth, Stoke City, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Everton, and has just been released by the Toffees. The Bosnian goalkeeper made 33 appearances in two seasons for the Blues as understudy to Thibaut Courtois, helping the club win their last Premier League title in 2017 and reach the FA Cup final that same year. 'I'm on the lookout for a new club because I want to keep playing, I still feel amazing and I've got plenty left in the tank,' the 38-year-old continued. 'My Everton exit didn't come as a surprise. It wasn't a long-term solution and everybody understood the situation. I really enjoyed my time at the club. More Trending 'I've been really lucky with injuries and I've put a lot of time into looking after my body. I think you just get to a stage of your career when you are thinking about your family and what is best for them. It's about finding a solution that fits us all.' Ipswich – 5/4 Southampton – 7/4 Sheffield United – 21/10 Birmingham – 23/10 Coventry, Middlesbrough – 7/2 Wrexham – 11/2 Odds courtesy of Betfair Arsenal academy graduate Arthur Okonkwo is Wrexham's current No.1 keeper though a player of Begovic's profile and experience would in theory only benefit the squad. The Red Dragons had been linked with signing Jamie Vardy on a free but the Leicester City legend isn't interested. They are however reportedly close to loaning in Liverpool youngster Owen Beck with the left-back to be available once Arne Slot secures the £40million transfer of Milos Kerkez. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: The 'proven' striker Manchester United should sign instead of Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen MORE: £25m Chelsea star wanted by Premier League rivals amid uncertain future MORE: Juventus could offer £60m star to Man Utd in exchange for Jadon Sancho

Scottish wingsuit daredevil Liam Byrne dies in Alps crash
Scottish wingsuit daredevil Liam Byrne dies in Alps crash

The Herald Scotland

time32 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Scottish wingsuit daredevil Liam Byrne dies in Alps crash

Mr Byrne, from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, featured in a recent BBC documentary called The Boy Who Can Fly. He was described as a very experienced wingsuit flyer - which is a type skydiving which involves wearing a special suit with webbing to allow mid-air lift - and had completed thousands of jumps during his career. His parents, Mike and Gillian, confirmed to BBC Scotland News that their son had died. READ MORE: Ex-Marine makes first 'wingsuit' jump from British mountain Scots adventurer who is the real James Bond "We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it," a family statement said. "Liam was fearless, not necessarily because he wasn't afraid but because he refused to let fear hold him back. He chased life in a way that most of us only dream of and he soared. "Skydiving and base jumping was more than just a thrill for Liam - it was freedom. It was where he felt most alive." The statement added: "Liam was more than just an adventurer. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. He was a source of laughter and strength. "He inspired all of us and made life better with his bold spirit and kind heart. We will miss Liam's wild energy and contagious laugh.

'I'm riding 1,000 miles to get to Glastonbury - people think I'm crazy'
'I'm riding 1,000 miles to get to Glastonbury - people think I'm crazy'

Daily Mirror

time34 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

'I'm riding 1,000 miles to get to Glastonbury - people think I'm crazy'

One festivalgoer has taken his journey to Glastonbury to all new lengths as he's been cycling 100km a day for almost a month in a bid to get to Worthy Farm from Madrid, Spain The countdown to Glastonbury is fast approaching, with mere days to go before hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers pitch up their tents for five days of spectacular performances. While many will be travelling by car, train or coach, one man is so dedicated to the UK's biggest festival that he's riding a whopping 100km a day on his bike to get there! Ollie White, 25, started his lengthy journey at the end of May from Madrid, Spain, where he lives and works as a content creator for La Liga, the Spanish football league. Over the course of almost a month, he has ventured across majestic mountains, the biggest sand dune in Europe, serene coastlines and desert-like landscapes with just a backpack, a tent and his bicycle. ‌ In total, Ollie will travel over 1,600km, or 994 miles, to Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, racking up 62 miles a day. ‌ With just a few days to go until the gates open at Glastonbury on Wednesday, 25 June, at 8 am, Ollie has almost completed his trek and has been documenting his journey on TikTok and Instagram every day. In his most recent update on Sunday, 22 June, Ollie confirmed that he reached Plymouth before heading to Totnes, Devon, where he'd stay the night. He is hoping to reach Glastonbury by Tuesday, 24 June. When asked by the BBC why he opted to ride from Madrid to Worthy Farm, he simply said: "I have a ticket for Glastonbury, so why not cycle?" Speaking further about his experience, he also shared with the news outlet: "A lot of people think I'm crazy for doing this, but for me it doesn't seem too crazy. "It's just a challenge I've set myself and, at the end of the day, once you've done all the preparation, you just have to get on the bike each day and do the kilometres." ‌ He described his adventure as "absolutely incredible" and that "everything has been really positive". He's spent time camping alone in secluded, yet beautiful spots across Europe and the UK, while taking in nature and the incredible scenery during each leg of his journey. When he finally reaches his end location, Ollie has a list of performances lined up to watch during the weekend at Glastonbury, including Neil Young, Loyle Carner, Kneecap, Caribou, Scissor Sisters and Kaiser Chiefs. He adds that Neil Young has been a particularly good soundtrack while riding through endless countries.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store