Wildlife TV legend reveals Celebrity Traitors and Strictly ambition

The wildlife TV star has hosted the BBC’s Springwatch nature show 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, who supports Oxford United through her son, who works at the club, had an exclusive chat with the Oxford Mail last week.

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

The 59-year-old reflected on her time on Dancing on Ice and said: “It’s so funny that everyone else was more upset than me and Mark [about not winning].

“I mean, I was just so happy to get to the final, as I didn’t for one minute think when I started that I would get there- I thought I’d be lucky to get to round five.

“That’s what I was aiming for, so the fact that I got that far and to the last two couples ended with the Bolero, that was the win for me.

“It didn’t matter that I didn’t hold up the trophy at the end, hand on heart; it didn’t bother me. I was so proud of myself to have got that far.”

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Claudia Winkleman hosts The Traitors. (Image: Ian West / PA)

When asked if she would consider doing Strictly Come Dancing, Michaela said: “I don’t think there’s any secret that I’ve always wanted to do Strictly and I’ve never been asked.

“Dancing on Ice is a lot more challenging, as not only are you on ice, but you’re only allowed to be on it for two hours a day.

“So even during the live weeks when you’re trying to learn a new routine, you’re only rehearsing it two hours a day that week.

“You could do a lot of off-ice stuff obviously, but it also makes it much more challenging than Strictly because I think they rehearse eight hours a day sometimes.”

READ MORE: Michaela Strachan talks Springwatch and Chris Packham relationship

Michaela Strachan (Image: Michaela Strachan)

Speaking on potentially appearing on The Celebrity Traitors in the future, Michaela revealed: “I’d love to do Traitors.

“Honestly, that program is genius, and it’s such an entertaining watch, but I’m the worst liar in the world.”

Michaela laughed: “I’m so not good at lying, I’m way too honest and open.”

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.