TV wildlife favourite Terry Nutkins dies aged 66

 
TV favourite: Terry Nutkins Pic: PA
Louise Jury10 September 2012

The wildlife presenter Terry Nutkins who was known for his ebullient appearances on nature shows such as Animal Magic has died. He was 66.

The wild-haired expert was born in Marylebone and discovered an early love of animals by skipping school to visit London Zoo.

But he was raised from the age of 12 by the Scottish naturalist Gavin Maxwell, author of Ring of Bright Water. From him, he learned a love of nature that thrived even after he lost part of two fingers to an otter named Edal when he was 15.

He came to fame as co-presenter of the children’s television series Animal Magic with Johnny Morris who became a second mentor and later bequeathed him a large portion of his estate.

When that show ended in 1983, he helped devise a new series, The Really Wild Show which he presented to 1993 and appear on other programmes including Growing Up Wild and Pets Win Prizes.

The broadcaster and author also was a keen beekeeper and member of the British Beekeepers’ Association.

He had appeared less frequently on television in recent years although he took part in a reality show, I’m Famous and Frightened on Living TV and narrated a BBC Three programme, My Life as an Animal, where young professionals and media personalities lived life as animals for four days.

He had been treated for acute leukaemia for nine months before his death at home in Glenelg on the west coast of Scotland yesterday. He is survived by a wife and eight children.

Fellow presenter Philip Scofield said on Twitter he was sad to hear the news about “ a delightful man and passionate naturalist”. The Countryside Alliance said: “He taught an entire generation to love the natural world and animals - education is so important”.

Ben Fogle said: "Very sad to hear the sad passing of Terry Nutkins. He was one of my childhood inspirations."

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