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This Spring Chris Packham joins Kate Humble as co-presenter of µþµþ°äÌý°Õ·É´Ç's popular natural history series Springwatch and Autumnwatch.

And former Springwatch producer Martin Hughes-Games makes his debut in front of the camera as he joins the presenting team.

Chris and Martin join the existing presenters Simon King, Kate Humble and Gordon Buchanan when Springwatch returns to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two in late May this year.

The moves follow Bill Oddie's decision to take a break from the programme earlier this year.

Zoology graduate Chris began his career at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in 1985 as a presenter of The Really Wild Show. He has worked in TV as a natural history broadcaster for 22 years, on 75 series and more than 500 programmes, being most recently seen in Nature's Calendar and Nature's Top 40 (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two).

Chris is active in many wildlife conservation bodies: he is Vice-President of the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation Trust and The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, and is President of the Bat Conservation Trust, The London Wildlife Trust and The Hampshire Ornithological Society.

Martin is also a Zoology graduate and has over 30 years' experience working on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's natural history programmes. Most recently he has been a producer on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Shetland Diaries With Simon King (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two).

Emma Swain, Head of Knowledge Commissioning, says: "I'm delighted Chris is bringing his in-depth knowledge and presenting skills to the team. And it's great that having made such and important contribution to these programmes behind the scenes we're able to share Martin's experience with the viewers."

Chris Packham says: "To be asked to be the new presenter of Springwatch and Autumnwatch was a dream come true and I hope to make a real contribution to the team."

Martin Hughes-Games says: "It will be a real challenge swapping life behind the camera to life in front of it, but I am really looking forward to it."

Kate Humble says: "Chris and Martin are both great communicators and real experts on wildlife. I am looking forward to working with them immensely."

Tim Scoones, Executive Producer, Springwatch and Autumnwatch, says: "With a new presenter team in place we're raring to go for the new series of Springwatch."

Notes to Editors

Chris Packham – Biography

Born in 1961, Chris Packham studied Zoology at Southampton University. On graduating he met wildlife filmmaker Stephen Bullwell and trained with him as a cameraman. Chris's big break came in 1985 when he began working as a presenter on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's children's TV series The Really Wild Show. After seven years presenting the show Chris set-up his own TV company – Head Over Heels TV – where he worked on many wildlife shows for ITV, Channel 4, Animal Planet, National Geographic and the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. More recently Chris has returned to his first love, working on and presenting wildlife TV shows, and he has recently been seen on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two presenting Nature's Calendar and Nature's Top 40. One of Chris's principle aims is to enthuse new audiences (particularly the younger audience) about wildlife.

Martin Hughes-Games – Biography

Martin Hughes-Games (52) graduated in Zoology in 1978 with a 1st Class honours from Reading University, and has worked in television for 30 years. He is passionate about wildlife and an active conservationist – even going so far as planting his own wood. He has been a member of the Springwatch family since 2006 and his most recent Series Producer credits include: Shetland Diaries with Simon King (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two) and Incredible Animal Journeys (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One, 2006).

EF