Steve Backshall is a well-known British naturalist, explorer, and wildlife television presenter. He is most recognized for hosting the long-running CBBC series *Deadly 60*, a program that searches the globe for the world’s most formidable predators. His work has inspired a generation of young viewers to take an interest in wildlife and conservation.
Born Stephen James Backshall in Surrey, England in 1973, his career spans children’s television, extreme expedition documentaries, and authorship. He is also a committed conservationist, having been awarded an MBE for his services to charity and wildlife in 2020.
Outside of his professional life, Backshall is married to the Olympic champion rower Helen Glover, with whom he has three children. The family resides in Buckinghamshire, near the border with Berkshire.
Who Is Steve Backshall? Biography and Career Overview
Stephen James Backshall
21 April 1973 (age 51)
6 ft 1 in (approx. 185 cm)
£1-3 million (estimated)
Helen Glover (m. 2016)
Deadly 60, BBC wildlife documentaries
Key Insights into His Career and Life
- Steve Backshall is best known for the long-running BBC children’s series *Deadly 60*, which ran from 2009 to 2018 and spawned multiple spin-offs.
- He is married to Olympic rower Helen Glover; the couple have three children and live in Berkshire.
- Backshall’s career began in theatre and children’s television before transitioning to wildlife presenting and expeditions.
- Despite being a household name in the UK, verified biographical statistics like height and net worth are not widely published by official sources.
- His YouTube channel and Instagram provide the most current updates on his expeditions and family life.
Fact Summary
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profession | Naturalist, explorer, TV presenter, writer, public speaker |
| Most Famous Work | *Deadly 60* (BBC) |
| Other TV Shows | Lost Land of the… series, Expedition Borneo, Springwatch |
| Books | *Deadly* series books, children’s fiction (*The Falcon Chronicles*) |
| Education | University of Exeter (BSc Biology) |
| Marital Status | Married to Helen Glover (2016–present) |
| Previous Marriage | Ex-wife: Helen (first name only known publicly, married early 2000s) |
| Social Media | Instagram (@backshall.steve), YouTube, Facebook |
What Is Steve Backshall Doing Now? Recent Activities in 2025
As of 2025, Steve Backshall remains actively involved in wildlife filmmaking, public speaking, and conservation work. While a definitive 2025 tour schedule was not widely available early in the year, his official website serves as the primary source for up-to-date event information.
Recent TV Projects
In recent years, he has presented specials such as *Whale with Steve Backshall* (2023) and the BBC Two series *Extreme Mountain Challenge*. A new, fifth season of his flagship series *Deadly 60* was anticipated to launch in late 2024. He also holds the presidency of several wildlife charities, including **Buglife** and the **World Land Trust**.
Personal Pursuits and Digital Presence
An avid outdoorsman, Backshall is a rock climber, mountaineer, and marathon runner who also holds a black belt in martial arts. He maintains an active presence on Instagram and YouTube, where he shares clips from expeditions and personal adventures. This digital content provides the most current, unofficial updates on his daily life.
For the most current information on Steve Backshall’s 2025 tour dates and public events, his official website at stevebackshall.com is the most reliable source. His Instagram and YouTube channels offer frequent, informal updates on his expeditions and family life.
Who Is Steve Backshall’s Wife? Personal Life and Marriage
Steve Backshall is married to **Helen Glover**, a celebrated British rower. Glover won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in the coxless pair event, making her one of Britain’s most successful female rowers.
Relationship Timeline
The couple met in 2014 during a celebrity rowing expedition across the English Channel for the charity **Sport Relief**. Backshall proposed to Glover in Namibia later that year, and they announced their engagement in September 2015. They were married on 10 September 2016 in Cornwall.
Family Life
Backshall and Glover have three children. The family lives in Buckinghamshire, near the River Thames. Details regarding Backshall’s ex-wife, who is also named Helen, are not widely documented in public sources.
While the story of how Steve Backshall met his wife, Helen Glover, is well known, details about his first marriage are not publicly available in reliable biographical sources. This is a common privacy boundary maintained by many public figures.
How Tall Is Steve Backshall? Vital Statistics and Net Worth
Many sources, including IMDB, list Steve Backshall’s height as **1.82 m (5′ 11½″)**. However, it is important to note that this specific measurement is not consistently confirmed across all official or biographical profiles, leading to minor variations in reported figures.
Regarding his finances, no official figure for Steve Backshall’s net worth is publicly disclosed by him or his representatives. While his television series *Deadly 60* was a commercial success, sold to 157 countries, his personal earnings remain a private matter. Estimates from unverified sources vary significantly and should be treated with caution.
Net worth figures for Steve Backshall are not published by any official or high-authority source. Any numbers found on third-party celebrity net worth websites are estimates and may not be accurate. Height is also not formally confirmed in an official biography.
Career and Life Timeline of Steve Backshall
- 1973: Born in Ascot, Berkshire, England.
- 1990s: Studied Biology at the University of Exeter; trained in theatre and martial arts.
- 2002–2005: Early TV appearances on children’s shows like *The Really Wild Show* and *Xchange*.
- 2009: Launched *Deadly 60* on the BBC, becoming a household name.
- 2014: Won a BAFTA Children’s Award for *Deadly 60*.
- 2016: Married Olympic rower Helen Glover.
- 2018: The main series of *Deadly 60* concluded; began new expedition projects.
- 2020–2023: Presented *Springwatch* and multiple BBC specials; published books.
- 2024: Regularly active on YouTube and Instagram; public speaking tours.
- 2025: Continuing wildlife work, tours, and family life.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Steve Backshall’s birth date and place are verified by Wikipedia and multiple sources. | Net worth figures are not published by Backshall or his representatives; estimates vary widely. |
| His marriage to Helen Glover in 2016 is confirmed. | Height is often listed as 6 ft 1 in but is not formally confirmed in any official biography. |
| He hosted *Deadly 60* for the BBC over nine years. | Ex-wife’s full name and marriage details are not publicly documented in reliable sources. |
| He has a BSc in Biology from the University of Exeter. | Exact details of his 2025 tour schedule are not yet widely announced as of early 2025. |
| He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for conservation work. | |
| He has three children with Helen Glover. |
The Context of Steve Backshall’s Career
Steve Backshall’s work fits into a broader tradition of British naturalist-presenters, a group that includes figures like David Attenborough and Chris Packham. His niche, however, is distinctly focused on children’s wildlife education, blending adventure and an element of danger through the “deadly” branding.
His career path is unusual. He moved from theatre and martial arts training to an academic study of biology before leveraging his communication skills into television. This combination gives him credibility both as a scientist and as an entertainer. The *Deadly 60* series is widely credited with inspiring a generation of British children to engage with wildlife and conservation.
Sources and Credibility
The most authoritative sources for Steve Backshall’s biography are his official website and Wikipedia. The BBC’s official page for *Deadly 60* also serves as a primary source. For current, informal updates, his social media accounts—including YouTube and Instagram—are the most direct channels. A notable example of his work includes the series *JJ Chalmers – From Royal Marine to Invictus Games and TV*, although that is a different program.
He has also been the subject of interviews on programs like *The One Show* and *BBC Breakfast*, which occasionally provide more personal insights. Another area he has been associated with includes broader exploration narratives similar to those found in Marco Polo – Explorer, Book, Netflix Series and More.
A Summary of Steve Backshall’s Life and Work
Steve Backshall is a multi-faceted figure: a naturalist, a bestselling author, a BAFTA-winning television presenter, and a dedicated conservationist awarded an MBE. Married to Olympic rower Helen Glover and a father of three, he continues to explore, film, and inspire new audiences with his enthusiasm for the natural world. To learn more about his specific television projects, you can read about the creation and impact of his most famous show in our piece on JJ Chalmers – From Royal Marine to Invictus Games and TV, which explores other BBC personalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Steve Backshall?
Steve Backshall was born on 21 April 1973, making him 51 years old.
Where does Steve Backshall live?
He lives in Buckinghamshire, near the River Thames, on the border with Berkshire, with his wife and children.
Does Steve Backshall have children?
Yes, he has three children with his wife, Helen Glover.
What is Steve Backshall’s educational background?
He holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Exeter. He also holds an honorary PhD.
What awards has Steve Backshall won?
He has won a BAFTA for best children’s television presenter and an MBE in 2020 for services to conservation.
Is Steve Backshall on Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram handle is @backshall.steve.
How can I book Steve Backshall for an event?
Booking inquiries are typically handled through his official website, stevebackshall.com.
What is Deadly 60 about?
It is a CBBC series where Steve Backshall travels the world to find and document the 60 most deadly and predatory animals on the planet.
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