Steve Backshall: Wildlife Presenter, Explorer & 2026 Tour
If you grew up watching a fearless presenter wade through crocodile-infested waters or dangle from a cave ceiling, chances are that presenter was Steve Backshall. The BAFTA-award-winning naturalist has spent over two decades bringing the world’s most extreme wildlife into British living rooms, from CBBC’s Deadly 60 to BBC iPlayer’s Expedition with Steve Backshall; here’s a closer look at his career, well-documented injuries, 2026 tour plans, and how he compares to fellow wildlife presenters.
Years active: Since early 2000s ·
YouTube subscribers: 85.6K ·
Awards: BAFTA award-winning ·
2026 events: Deadly Live arena tour + Chester Zoo show
Quick snapshot
- BAFTA award-winning presenter (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- Married to Olympic rower Helen Glover (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- Survived caiman attack (BBC Earth News)
- Climbing accident left ankle fused (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- Current full medical status beyond fused ankle (Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist))
- Whether a TV series called “Shark with Steve Backshall” officially exists (Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist))
- Number of marriages before Helen Glover (Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist))
- Ankle operation total: 12 in one account vs 13 in another (Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist))
- 2008: Climbing fall in Gloucestershire (Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist))
- 2010: Caiman attack, Argentina (BBC Earth News)
- 2026: Deadly Live! arena tour scheduled (Butterflyfingers Marketing (touring agency))
- Deadly Live arena tour (Autumn 2026)
- Chester Zoo live show (23–31 May 2026)
Six facts that define Steve Backshall’s public profile, one gap: no previous marriages confirmed.
| Full name | Steve Backshall |
| Occupation | Wildlife presenter, explorer, adventurer |
| Known for | Expedition with Steve Backshall, Deadly 60 |
| Spouse | Helen Glover (married) |
| Children | Unknown from provided sources |
| 2026 tour | Yes – Deadly Live arena tour + Chester Zoo show |
Has Steve Backshall been injured?
Details on reported injuries
Backshall’s career-defining expeditions are powered by a body that has survived a 10-metre fall, a caiman attack, and a kayak rescue — yet he keeps returning to the world’s most hostile environments.
- Climbing accident (2008): Fell 10 metres in the Wye Valley. Suffered fractures to two vertebrae and severe damage to his left ankle. Underwent approximately 13 operations over six years. Ankle is permanently fused. (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- Caiman attack (2010): A spectacled caiman latched onto his left calf during BBC filming in Argentina. Required stitches, anti-inflammatory medication, and antibiotics. Production completed after a short recovery. (BBC Earth News)
- Bhutan kayaking incident: Reportedly rescued by Sally Montgomery after a close call in the Himalayas. (Express.co.uk (news outlet))
Impact on career
2008: Fall, fractures, 1.5 yr crutches ·
2010: Caiman attack, short recovery ·
2026: Tour announced despite fused ankle
The 2008 fall required about a year and a half on crutches and learning to walk again, according to a feature by Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist). Yet Backshall resumed expedition life, including a trip to Canada’s Baffin Island. A 2025 interview reported the fused ankle remains immobile but functional for walking (Express.co.uk). His return to filming after the caiman attack was equally swift: stitches in, production out.
The pattern extends from screen to stage: the same body that survived the field keeps showing up for live audiences.
Where can I watch Shark with Steve Backshall?
Available streaming platforms
- BBC iPlayer: Hosts Expedition with Steve Backshall and archival Deadly 60 series. (BBC iPlayer)
- YouTube channel: Backshall’s official channel (85.6K subscribers) features clips and behind-the-scenes content.
- No standalone “Shark with Steve Backshall” series confirmed: The query doesn’t return a dedicated show in the top SERPs, but his predator-heavy catalog fills the gap.
Related series on BBC iPlayer
If you’re after shark content, Backshall’s iPlayer catalog is heavy on aquatic predators from his expeditions.
The PAA question “Where can I watch Shark with Steve Backshall?” points to a genuine viewer desire, but available evidence suggests no separate shark-specific series exists under that exact title. Backshall’s iPlayer catalog is rich with marine fieldwork, and his YouTube channel provides frequent predator clips.
The takeaway: the question reveals a gap between demand and indexing, not a missing series.
Is Steve Backshall touring in 2026?
A physically active presenter choosing a live arena tour over retirement sends a clear message: the audience remains hungry for real human risk, not just polished nature footage.
Deadly Live arena tour dates
- Autumn 2026 tour across the UK, managed by Butterflyfingers Marketing (touring agency)
- Separate Chester Zoo show from 23–31 May 2026
According to the agency marketing the tour, Deadly Live! is scheduled for autumn 2026. Full venue listings are managed through the official tour website, though some source links flagged a broken perma-link, suggesting active updates.
Chester Zoo live show
A fixed May half-term window makes this an accessible, family-sized alternative to the arena tour.
This dedicated run offers a family-sized alternative to the arena tour, bringing Backshall’s hands-on style to a zoo setting during the May half term.
The pattern: Backshall is expanding his reach from screen to stage, leveraging his physical presence as a unique draw.
How many times has Steve Backshall been married?
Marriage to Helen Glover
- Backshall is married to Olympic rower Helen Glover, a multiple gold medalist.
- The couple have children, though exact numbers are not fully detailed in current sources.
Previous relationships
Confirmed spouses: Helen Glover ·
Previous marriages: Not confirmed in provided sources
Provided sources do not confirm any previous marriages. The public record only highlights his union with Glover.
The implication: Backshall keeps his private life tightly controlled, and the single confirmed marriage aligns with his public-facing media persona.
Who are some male TV wildlife presenters?
Three presenters who operate on the same natural-history circuit, one line that separates them: the physical risk Backshall accepts on camera.
| Presenter | Primary Platform | Signature Series | Approach to Nature | 2026 Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Backshall | BBC, CBBC, YouTube | Deadly 60, Expedition | Hands-on, physical, family-oriented | Touring Deadly Live! + Chester Zoo |
| Chris Packham | BBC, Springwatch | Springwatch, Autumnwatch | Scientific, direct, conservation-focused | Active on TV, campaigner |
| David Attenborough | BBC, Netflix | Planet Earth, Blue Planet | Narrative, observational, global scale | Continues narration |
Notable presenters: David Attenborough, Chris Packham
- David Attenborough: Narrative elder statesman, global ecosystem focus.
- Chris Packham: Scientific conservationist, outspoken on environmental policy.
Attenborough is the elder statesman, Packham the outspoken ecologist, and Backshall the physical adventurer. The overlap is that all three have consistently held the BBC’s core wildlife audience for decades.
Chris Packham controversies and personal life
Open queries about Packham’s ex-wife, sister, wealth, and a reported fallout are widely circulated in UK media but are not independently verified within this article’s source set.
PAA queries around Packham regularly surface these details. What is clear from the comparison: Backshall occupies a different lane — less political, more physical, and with a notably lower controversy profile in the press.
The distinction matters for viewers choosing a presenter to follow: Backshall trades on physical proof, not public controversy.
Clarity check: Confirmed vs. Unclear
Confirmed facts
- 2026 Deadly Live! tour dates and Chester Zoo show
- Marriage to Helen Glover
- BAFTA award
- Caiman attack (2010), climbing accident (2008), ankle fusion
- Active YouTube channel with 85.6K subscribers
What’s still unclear
- Exact current medical status beyond the fused ankle
- Whether a TV series called “Shark with Steve Backshall” officially exists
- Number of marriages before Helen Glover
- Exact ankle operation count: 12 in a 2016 account, 13 in a 2014 account
- Full verified details of Chris Packham’s personal controversies
The split is structural: the public record is strongest where Backshall has given interviews, and weakest on private matters and unverified programme titles.
In his own words
I worried Strictly would wreck my reputation as a scientist.
— Steve Backshall, The Telegraph (UK broadsheet)
The ankle is fused, so I have no ankle joint any more … it’s fine, it works, I can walk.
— Steve Backshall, The Telegraph (UK broadsheet)
Backshall said the injury required about a year and a half on crutches and relearning how to walk.
— Sidetracked (adventure travel specialist)
A 2025 interview reported that Backshall’s fused left ankle remains immobile but that he can still walk.
— Express.co.uk (news outlet)
These quotes track the same arc: repeated physical cost, then a return to expedition work.
What it means for fans
For the family planning a 2026 night out, the choice is between seeing a performer who has repeatedly put his body on the line and watching the wildlife he champions. Either way, the show is Backshall’s next chapter.
news.bbc.co.uk, chad.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, thekingoftickets.com, sidetracked.com, deadlylivetour.com, express.co.uk, vividseats.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Steve Backshall’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed in the provided sources. His primary income streams include BBC presenting contracts, book royalties, and live tours.
Does Steve Backshall have children?
Sources confirm he is married to Helen Glover, but the number of children is not explicitly stated in the current research data.
What animals has Steve Backshall encountered?
His encounters include a spectacled caiman in Argentina, grizzly bears, various venomous snakes, and close calls with sharks and big cats across the Deadly 60 series.
How did Steve Backshall become a presenter?
He studied English and Theatre, worked in local journalism, and transitioned to the BBC through presenting roles on Live & Kicking before launching his own expedition series.
Is Steve Backshall currently hosting any shows?
He is actively touring with the Deadly Live! arena show, maintaining a YouTube channel, and appearing in BBC iPlayer archival content.
What is the Deadly 60 series?
Deadly 60 is a CBBC wildlife series where Backshall encounters 60 of the world’s most dangerous animals. It ran for multiple series and built a young audience.
Where can I watch Steve Backshall’s documentaries?
BBC iPlayer hosts Expedition with Steve Backshall and Deadly 60. His YouTube channel provides additional clips and updates.
The recurring theme: Backshall’s public record is detailed on career and injuries, but thin on personal financial and family specifics.
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