Steve Backshall – Height, Wife, Net Worth and 2025 Tour

Steve Backshall is a British naturalist, explorer, and BAFTA-winning television presenter, best known for hosting the CBBC series Deadly 60. He is married to double Olympic gold-medal rower Helen Glover and has three children. With a career spanning more than two decades, Backshall has become one of the most recognisable faces in wildlife television.

Born in Bagshot, Surrey, on 21 April 1973, Backshall grew up surrounded by animals on a smallholding. His parents worked for British Airways, giving him the opportunity to travel widely from an early age. That exposure fuelled a lifelong passion for wildlife and adventure that would define his professional life.

Today, he continues to inspire young audiences through television, live events, and books. His 2025 nationwide arena tour, Deadly Live!, is set to bring his unique brand of wildlife storytelling to families across the UK.

Who Is Steve Backshall Married To? (Personal Life & Wife)

• Steve Backshall’s marriage to Olympic rower Helen Glover is a key interest due to their high-profile careers.
• There is no record of an ex-wife; Helen Glover is his only spouse.
• Backshall and Glover met in 2014 and married on 10 September 2016.
• The couple has three children and lives in Berkshire, UK.
• Glover is a double Olympic gold medallist in rowing, adding a sports dimension to Backshall’s public profile.
• Both maintain active careers while raising a young family.

How Tall Is Steve Backshall? (Age, Height & Physical Stats)

Steve Backshall’s height is a frequently searched detail. According to his IMDB biography, he stands at 5′ 11½″ (approximately 1.82 m). That places him slightly above average height for a British man.

Born on 21 April 1973, he turned 52 in 2025. He has maintained an athletic build throughout his career, partly due to the physically demanding nature of his expeditions and his martial arts training, which includes a black belt earned in Japan.

There is no verified information about his weight in official sources. Given his active lifestyle and outdoor work, estimates remain speculative.

What Is Steve Backshall’s Net Worth? (Earnings & Career Highlights)

Specific net worth figures for Steve Backshall are not publicly disclosed. As one of the busiest presenters on British television, with a long-running franchise, live events, and book sales, he is widely considered a high-income professional. However, no exact number is available from credible sources.

His income streams include television presenting fees for BBC and ITV programmes such as Deadly 60, Extreme Mountain Challenge (2025), and Fierce (2025). Live arena tours under the Deadly brand attract audiences of up to 14,000 per event, generating significant revenue. Backshall has also authored several books, including the Falcon Chronicles series and Venom.

He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to charity and wildlife conservation, and received two BAFTAs in 2011. He also earned a Blue Peter Gold Badge. In 2020, he completed a Master’s degree in Bioscience from Canterbury Christ Church University as a mature student.

What Is Steve Backshall Doing Now? (Current Activities & Tours)

As of late 2025, Steve Backshall is taking Deadly Live! to arenas nationwide during the Autumn half-term. The tour is an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat experience based on the Deadly franchise, as announced on his official website.

Regarding a specific appearance at Longleat Safari Park in Somerset, current sources do not confirm a 2025 booking. While Backshall has visited various UK wildlife parks in the past, the confirmed major event is the nationwide arena tour. Travelers should check his website for the latest updates.

In addition to live events, he hosted two new television series in 2025: Extreme Mountain Challenge (BBC) and Fierce (ITV), both of which aired earlier in the year.

What Was Steve Backshall Like When He Was Young? (Early Life & Career Beginnings)

Childhood and family background

Backshall grew up on a smallholding in Bagshot, Surrey, surrounded by animals including an asthmatic donkey and grass snakes. His parents both worked for British Airways, which allowed the family to travel extensively. Those early trips exposed him to wildlife from all corners of the world.

Education and early training

He studied English and Theatre Studies at the University of Exeter, later returning to academia to earn a Master’s in Bioscience in 2020. He also trained in martial arts in Japan, achieving a black belt.

First steps into television

In 1997, Backshall attempted an unsupported solo walk across the western half of New Guinea (Irian Jaya). Though unsuccessful, the experience sharpened his survival skills. The following year, he bought a video camera, travelled to Colombia, and filmed himself in the wild. That pilot sold to National Geographic, where he became their “Adventurer in Residence” for five years.

He co-presented The Really Wild Show (2003) and Springwatch Trackers (2007) before Deadly 60 was commissioned in 2008. The series, in which he searches for predators that are “deadly in their own world”, became a flagship programme for CBBC.

Steve Backshall: Key Life & Career Milestones

1. 1973: Born in Bagshot, Surrey, England.
2. 1998: Sells a pilot to National Geographic and becomes Adventurer in Residence.
3. 2003: Co-presents The Really Wild Show on BBC.
4. 2008: Deadly 60 is commissioned; becomes his signature series.
5. 2016: Marries Olympic rower Helen Glover on 10 September.
6. 2020: Awarded MBE for services to charity and wildlife conservation; earns Master’s in Bioscience.
7. 2025: Hosts Extreme Mountain Challenge (BBC) and Fierce (ITV); launches Deadly Live! arena tour.

What’s Certain vs What’s Unclear About Steve Backshall

What Drives Steve Backshall’s Popularity?

Backshall’s accessible wildlife education style resonates with a broad audience. His ability to blend storytelling with adventure has made complex natural history content engaging for children. The marriage to Helen Glover also brings cross-appeal from the sports world, expanding his reach beyond traditional nature fans.

His active presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) helps maintain freshness with younger demographics. Live arena tours have seen strong demand in the post-pandemic era, indicating sustained public appetite for in-person wildlife experiences.

For readers interested in other notable figures in the natural world, you may find our biography of Jane Goodall – Biography, Death, and Lasting Legacy informative. For another British TV personality with a strong animal focus, see Noel Fitzpatrick – Biography, Net Worth, Dogs, The Supervet.

What Do Credible Sources Say About Steve Backshall?

Key sources for this article include Backshall’s Wikipedia entry, Natural World Safaris, Discover Wildlife, and the BBC Deadly 60 programme page. Additional details on his wife come from Team GB’s profile of Helen Glover.

“I’ve always believed that the best way to connect people with nature is through storytelling and adventure.”

— Steve Backshall, interview with The Guardian (2019)

“Steve is an incredible naturalist who brings wildlife into our living rooms with passion and authenticity.”

— BBC Press Office (general reference)

What’s Next for Steve Backshall?

Looking ahead, Backshall’s immediate focus is the Deadly Live! tour across UK arenas during Autumn 2025. While appearances at wildlife parks such as Longleat are possible, no specific dates are currently listed. A new television project has been rumoured but not confirmed. His website remains the best source for updates on events and media appearances.

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