'I can't imagine life without animals'

Presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle on family and his career

- JORDAN PARAMOR

Risk-taking is clearly in Ben Fogle's blood. He first found fame thanks to the reality show Castaway in 2000, when he was one of 36 people marooned on the Scottish island of Taransay for a year.

Twenty-five years on, he's still taking risks, enjoying amazing adventures, and he's bringing all those incredible experiences together for his tour, Wild, which he's taking around the UK. We caught up with the globetrotter for an exclusive chat.

Ben admits he can't believe that it's been two-and-a-half decades since Castaway aired, but he's incredibly grateful for all the opportunities being a part of the groundbreaking programme has given him, even though sometimes he's had his ups and downs.

So how does the 51-year-old stay positive when things feel tough? 'It can be hard. We are absorbing a lot that can pull us down, and I have been pulled down in the past. I think getting back up again is the important thing. We are all human and vulnerable, and it can be very difficult sometimes to remain hopeful or optimistic when there is so much bleakness,' he says.

The star continues, 'What I struggle with the most is the polarisation of the world right now. It's so tricky to have an opinion and have a debate without people feeling almost tribal about it. It's probably one of the reasons I love just being outdoors surrounded by nature, because there's a simplicity to it. So for me, staying positive is about doing that as much as I can.'