ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE

Ben Fogle shot to fame two decades ago as the break out star from BBC reality show Castaway. Here Ben reveals to Denise Marshall why his adventures warrant a national tour, the cost of building a high profile and why family will always come first

If anyone has a spellbinding, and at times terrifying, life story to share, it’s bona fide adventurer Ben Fogle.

Conquering Everest, braving the Atlantic and completing the Saharan Marathon des Sables are just three of the many escapades to feature in his current 39-date Tales of the Wilderness tour. He laughs that the gruelling feats are balanced out by more sedate projects, presenting series such as BBC1’s Animal Clinic, New Lives in the Wild on Channel 5 and publishing children’s books.

‘I have always wanted to share my stories,’ enthuses Ben. ‘As the son of an actress (Julia Fogle), I am familiar with the stage. I grew up watching her in theatres and it seemed a natural transition from the mountains to the stage. I have more than 20 years of adventures now under my belt and it felt like the right time to bring them together into one inspiring, uplifting, and sometimes moving evening.’

As a boy Ben would assist his father, veterinarian Dr Bruce Fogle MBE, playing nurse when he was on call in the school holidays. He was unable to pursue that career path due to ‘not being academic enough,’ so his current work, up close with wildlife, is even more of a blessing.