FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Ben Fogle
What are you working on at the moment?
The Great Migration, which follows the migration of the wildebeest across East Africa, and a fourth series of New Lives In The Wild, both for Channel 5, and Countrywise for ITV . I’m also working with notonthehighstreet.com to support their Dadpreneur campaign, which shines a light on the issues around work-life balance faced by modern fathers.
When were you at your happiest?
In a tent in the middle of the African bush with my wife, Marina, and our two children, surrounded by wildlife under a sky of a million stars.
What is your greatest fear?
I still have a fear of failure. As a child I seemed to fail at everything – I was a quitter. I still have the scars and it scares me.
What is your earliest memory?
Standing next to my father in the operating theatre while he operated on a dog. We lived above his veterinary clinic and I used to watch him during surgery.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I am still quite thin-skinned. I don’t like criticism and I’m too easily offended. Not great given my profession.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My parents. They both worked hard in life. They enjoyed their work, but I respected their work ethic.
What is your most treasured possession?
I have the most amazing work of art by my favourite artists, Olly and Suzi. It is a portrait of my late dog Inca.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Cynicism and stereotyping.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’ve never really liked my big Roman nose. Although I have come to accept that it is one of my most recognisable features.
What is your favourite book?
I loved The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, and also The Famished Road by Ben Okri.
What is your favourite film?
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou or City Of God.
What is your favourite meal?
Hamburger and chips.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Ernest Shackleton.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
A journalist once said I was ugly and a rubbish presenter.
Do you believe in aliens?
Surely we can’t be alone.
What is your secret vice?
Coffee and white wine. In no particular order.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Every time. My wife writes them for me/us.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Yes.’ I can’t say no. I know that’s not a phrase, but it sums me up. The inability to say no.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Immortality.
Tell us one thing people might not know about you.
I have a tattoo and I’d quite like another.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘He lived every minute to the full’.
For more on the Dadpreneur initiative, calling on innovators, creators, crafters and makers, visit www.notonthehighstreet.com/dadpreneur
The Great Migration, which follows the migration of the wildebeest across East Africa, and a fourth series of New Lives In The Wild, both for Channel 5, and Countrywise for ITV . I’m also working with notonthehighstreet.com to support their Dadpreneur campaign, which shines a light on the issues around work-life balance faced by modern fathers.
When were you at your happiest?
In a tent in the middle of the African bush with my wife, Marina, and our two children, surrounded by wildlife under a sky of a million stars.
What is your greatest fear?
I still have a fear of failure. As a child I seemed to fail at everything – I was a quitter. I still have the scars and it scares me.
What is your earliest memory?
Standing next to my father in the operating theatre while he operated on a dog. We lived above his veterinary clinic and I used to watch him during surgery.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I am still quite thin-skinned. I don’t like criticism and I’m too easily offended. Not great given my profession.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My parents. They both worked hard in life. They enjoyed their work, but I respected their work ethic.
What is your most treasured possession?
I have the most amazing work of art by my favourite artists, Olly and Suzi. It is a portrait of my late dog Inca.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Cynicism and stereotyping.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’ve never really liked my big Roman nose. Although I have come to accept that it is one of my most recognisable features.
What is your favourite book?
I loved The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, and also The Famished Road by Ben Okri.
What is your favourite film?
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou or City Of God.
What is your favourite meal?
Hamburger and chips.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Ernest Shackleton.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
A journalist once said I was ugly and a rubbish presenter.
Do you believe in aliens?
Surely we can’t be alone.
What is your secret vice?
Coffee and white wine. In no particular order.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Every time. My wife writes them for me/us.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Yes.’ I can’t say no. I know that’s not a phrase, but it sums me up. The inability to say no.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Immortality.
Tell us one thing people might not know about you.
I have a tattoo and I’d quite like another.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘He lived every minute to the full’.
For more on the Dadpreneur initiative, calling on innovators, creators, crafters and makers, visit www.notonthehighstreet.com/dadpreneur