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Michaela Strachan talks Springwatch & Chris Packham relationship

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The TV presenter has hosted the iconic BBC nature programme for 14 years, having previously worked on The Really Wild Show and Wide Awake Club.

She recently finished as runner-up on ITV reality show Dancing on Ice, competing last year with professional partner Mark Hanretty.

Michaela had an exclusive chat with the Oxford Mail this week and spoke about her love for Springwatch.

READ MORE: TV legend praises King Charles for stripping Owl Sanctuary founder of MBE

Michaela Strachan with a gorilla. (Image: Michaela Strachan / Not Just A Wild Life UK Tour)

“It’s such a lovely programme to do, and it’s still a show that has a reasonable viewership that makes you proud to still do it,” she said.

“I mean, budgets for a lot of programmes have been cut and cut and cut to the point that it makes them impossible to make.

“So, you know, it’s still a high-quality programme that I love doing, and we’ve got such a lovely, loyal audience of people that look forward to it every year.

“They say the famous line, ‘that’s what we pay our license fee for’, and you just feel every year that you’re stepping back into a family, not only with the people you’re filming with but with the viewers as well.

“So, it’s a really lovely television programme to be part of. And obviously it’s British wildlife, so what’s not to love.”

READ MORE: Cosy Cotswolds pub visited by King Charles for sale at almost £1m

Michaela Strachan. (Image: BBC / Jo Charlesworth / PA)

Michaela also spoke about her longtime co-star Chris Packham who she has worked for over three decades on various projects.

“I’ll be talking quite a lot about Chris and my relationship with him in the second half of the live show because it has been a very long relationship,” she said.

“We met on The Really Wild Show in 1992, and we worked together a bit there.

“Then we did another couple of series for Animal Planet, Big Five Little Five and Postcards From The Wild, and we had a gap, before we then came back together for the Watches.

“And as I say in my show, I can think of only one other presenting duo who have worked together for that long, and that is Ant and Dec.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson revamps Cotswolds farm shop with major changes

Michaela Strachan on The Really Wild Show with Steve Backshall and Nick Baker. (Image: Michaela Strachan / Not Just A Wild Life UK Tour)

“I can’t think of any other duo that has lasted long, and are still really good friends and still presenting programmes together and getting on.”

When asked if she was excited for 2026′ Springwatch, Michaela responded: “Always! We’re going to Northern Ireland, so we’ll be there for three weeks in May.”

The 59-year-old was speaking ahead of her ‘Not Just a Wild Life’ live tour, which begins next month and features a date in nearby Newbury on Wednesday, April 29.

You can find more coverage from the Oxford Mail’s exclusive interview with Ms Strachan on our website in the coming days.





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Aureus School girls were inspired by Navy’s women’s day

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Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.

Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”

Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.

He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”

He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.

“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”

Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.

Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.





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Ryanair launches two new routes in significant move

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The flights mark a major boost to the airport’s connectivity ahead of the budget airline’s record Summer 2026 schedule.

The new routes form part of Ryanair’s expanded Glasgow programme for Summer 2026, which will see the airline operate over 100 weekly flights across eight routes.

The new double-daily London Stansted service further strengthens Glasgow’s access to the English capital, while the launch of the Warsaw service enhances Glasgow’s international offering.

Jonathan Ford, portfolio manager at AGS Airports, said: “It’s fantastic to see Ryanair’s new services to London Stansted and Warsaw take off today.

“The double-daily Stansted route offers even more flexibility for business and leisure travellers heading to and from England’s innovation corridor, while Warsaw provides a valuable new link that expands the international connectivity available to our passengers.

“These launches mark the start of what will be a record summer for Ryanair at Glasgow, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers through our doors.”

Last month, Ryanair launched its 2026 plan for Glasgow with 10 routes, including holiday hotspots like Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife, as well as city break destinations like Barcelona and Pisa.

The budget airline will also operate extra frequencies on its Alicante, Faro, Pisa, Malaga and Murcia routes.

The new schedule is underpinned by Ryanair’s two Glasgow Prestwick-based aircraft.





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Drug driving arrest carried out in Oxfordshire market town

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Thames Valley Police said it stopped a vehicle yesterday evening (Saturday March 28) after noting it had defective lights in Woodstock.

The car “smelt of cannabis” and following a “positive drugs test” the police arrested the motorist.

READ MORE: Investigation launched as unidentified Toyota ‘hits’ pedestrian near Uni Parks

A positive drugs test (Image: TVP)

A spokesperson for the the roads policing unit said they “stopped a vehicle this evening with defective lights in Woodstock”.

They added: “The vehicle smelt of cannabis. The driver provided a positive drug wipe and was arrested.”

Driving under the influence of drugs (drug driving) is a criminal offence and if found guilty, the driver could face an automatic driving ban, a hefty fine, and potential prison time.





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