Chris Packham and his stepdaughter Megan McCubbin are familiar faces on Celebrity Gogglebox, where fans eagerly await their insights on popular TV shows aired on Channel 4.
The 63-year-old is a seasoned television personality, renowned for hosting BBC wildlife programs such as Springwatch and Autumnwatch. As an environmentalist and fervent advocate for animal welfare, Chris has become a household name across the UK.
Chris has garnered public praise for his candidness about his health journey, particularly after receiving an autism diagnosis later in life at the age of 44. Despite nearly two decades since his diagnosis, Chris remains a vocal champion for those within the neurodiversity community.
Previously appearing on Good Morning Britain, Chris discussed his mental health journey openly, revealing that during his upbringing, he struggled with self-loathing. Reflecting on his past, he shared with Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley that his understanding and acceptance have evolved significantly over time.
“I grew up in the Sixties and Seventies when the condition wasn’t widely known, certainly by my parents and teachers,” the presenter explained. He continued: “By the time I’d got to the beginning of my teens, and certainly into the early part of my 20s, my mental health issues were quite considerable. I loathed myself, I thought that I was broken.”
Chris received a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome in the 1990s. However, the condition is now ‘retired’ and is today considered and diagnosed as Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Chris was also vocal about how he hopes that young people today receive diagnoses quicker than he did. “Clearly, I was in a lesser cohort than most other people, so I blamed myself for everything that was going wrong,” he said.
“Young people can’t be in that position if they’re going to work through education and find a fulfilling life, we need to put them on a firm foundation of confidence and support, and the diagnosis should be an access to that type of support. So, it’s not just about getting the diagnosis, it is about what follows from that.”
A diagnosis, Chris explained, is hugely important for people with ASD to receive relevant support, extra guidance and, ultimately, a level of comfort and confidence as they move through life with a neurological condition.
“I know a few people now that I knew when I was diagnosed, and they say that it’s quite considerably changed me,” the BBC broadcaster said.
“I’m much more confident to talk about my needs, my incapacities, and the things that I can do better. I will put myself forward if there’s something which I am enabled to do by the condition. And I will be far franker and more honest about the disabling aspects of it, from my point of view.”
