Terry Nutkins, TV wildlife presenter, dies aged 66 - RIP

[RalphC]

TV presenter Terry Nutkins, famous for appearances on BBC nature programmes like Animal Magic and The Really Wild Show, has died at the age of 66.

 

Born in London in 1946, Nutkins helped out at London Zoo as a child and later helped author Gavin Maxwell care for otters on the west coast of Scotland.

 

The wildlife expert spent seven years on Animal Magic and was later seen on Growing Up Wild and Pets Win Prizes.

 

The father of eight was being treated for leukaemia when he died on Thursday.

 

Nutkins' love of animals was undimmed by an incident when, aged 15, he had the top joints of two of his fingers bitten off by a wild otter named Edal.

 

Renowned for his natural ebullience and unruly hair style, he played a major role in the restoration of the historic Fort Augustus Abbey on the shores of Loch Ness.

 

In his childhood, Maxwell, the author of Ring of Bright Water, became Nutkins' legal guardian so that he could remain in Scotland to assist him.

 

Naturalist and broadcaster Johnny Morris, the main presenter of Animal Magic, also regarded Nutkins as his protege and left his house to him when he died in 1999.

 

In recent years he made guest appearances on Ready Steady Cook, Celebrity Ghost Stories and a tribute documentary to Australian "crocodile hunter" Steve Irwin.

 

TV presenter Philip Schofield was among the first to pay tribute to the broadcaster, remembering him as "a delightful man and passionate naturalist".

 

"So sad to hear of the death of Terry Nutkins," he wrote on Twitter. "I worked with him often in my 'broom cupboard' days."

 

Wildlife presenter Ben Fogle described Nutkins as one of his "childhood inspirations", while comedian Ricky Gervais said he was a "thoroughly nice chap".

 

John Miles, Nutkins' agent, said he had died at his home in Scotland after a "brave" nine-month battle with acute leukaemia.

 

"He just loved animals," Mr Miles told BBC News. "He fought many causes to make sure animals were looked after, and the environment in general."

 

"Terry was a fun, ebullient and enthusiastic naturalist," said the wildlife film-maker Simon King. "He expressed this through his work on television and through his conservation efforts.

 

"He had a great love of animals and will always be remembered for that."

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19520824

 

[Big J R]

Another very sad loss, and only a year older than me !

 

R.I.P.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Very sad news, I remember watching him on The Really Wild Show with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan.

 

RIP Terry.

[Lato]

as always sad when anyone dies but sad when it is an icon of your youth. As the article above says he was a bit of a protege of the late great Johnny Morris and these two greats of childrens broadcasting did a lot to bring wildlife information to children.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Terry spoke to children as if they were on his level,and explained things in a simple manner that they could understand.

 

This was back when Children's TV was actually worth watching.