I'm proud of my scars'

TV presenter Michaela Strachan on her career, family and life after cancer

- VICKI POWER

When Michaela Strachan was just starting out on TV, she remembers the excitement she felt at meeting a colleague who'd already been presenting TV for a decade.

'When I met Tommy Boyd on Wide Awake Club, he already had 10 years' experience from doing Magpie and I remember thinking, "Wow, imagine having this career for 10 years! That would be amazing!" recalls Michaela, with a laugh. 'And here I am, in my fourth decade and still doing it. I do feel incredibly blessed.'

Michaela has been presenting Springwatch from RSPB Arne in Dorset on week nights alongside Chris Packham. Now 57, she has been a regular fixture on our TV screens for 35 years, presenting The Really Wild Show, Michaela's Wild Challenge, Elephant Diaries, Countryfile and, since 2011, the much-loved 'Watches' Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch.