HIVE mind

STEVE BACKSHALL on why his latest mission is keeping him a busy bee

- CAREN CLARK

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES NEW THURSDAY, 9PM, 5 FACTUAL

Steve Backshall is buzzing with excitement about his new 5 docuseries The Secret Life of Bees. 'As a naturalist, my key interest is bugs and insects, and bees are some of the most fascinating,' enthuses the presenter, 52, in an exclusive interview with TV Times. 'There's so much about their societies that's mind-blowing!'

Taking flight this week to coincide with World Bee Day on Tuesday 20 May, the twoparter follows Steve as he establishes a honeybee colony or 'beetopia' at the Berkshire home he shares with his wife, Olympic rower Helen Glover, and their three children.

Here, Steve tells us why he couldn't bee happier about this special project...

What was the appeal of this show for you, Steve?

I've always wanted to keep bees, so it sounded fantastic. I've studied bees in the wild, but domesticating bees and understanding the connection to them that you need in order to keep them successfully is something I've never had the opportunity to do before.

Were there any challenges to beekeeping?