‘Seeing A Beautiful Landscape Makes Me Want To GET NAKED!'

Countryfile presenter Kate Humble, 50, shares her earliest memories and her adoration of nature. She lives in Wales with her husband Ludo Graham

- Selina Maycock

What is your earliest wildlife memory?

I grew up in leafy Berkshire, surrounded by fields and with a lovely garden, and there was a sparrow I named Martha, who would fly in the kitchen window every morning and share our toast. Mum still feeds the birds now and I tell her off because I think the crusts are the best bit of the toast – that’s why I’ve got curly hair!

Did you have a plan B?

I’ve never really had a plan. When I was a kid, all I could think about was horses. I wanted to be a circus performer like the rider Nell Gifford – she’s got my dream job. I flirted with the idea of being an actress and auditioned for the National Youth Theatre at 16 but I didn’t get in. I didn’t particularly watch telly as a kid but my interest came from being inherently nosy, so I could have been a detective.

When are you happiest?