Chris Packham reveals he’s taking a break from his TV career to get some ‘brain space’

TV star and animal rights campaigner Chris Packham has spoken candidly about his need to take a three-month break from work amid ‘burn out’.

The media personality, 61, told The Times this week that he needs to break to get some ‘brain space’.

He also assured fans during the chat that he’s not having a ‘midlife crisis’ and reports of his burn out are mostly ‘exaggerated,’ but just needs some time to himself. 

‘I’m not having a midlife crisis!’ Chris Packham revealed this week that he’s taking a break from his TV career to get some ‘brain space’ ahead of a three-month hiatus from work

‘I’m not having a midlife crisis,’ he told the publication.  

‘I’m too old for that. I just need some brain space, get off the treadmill, take stock.’

Chris, who has Asperger’s syndrome, said he’s had a tough year and it involved a ‘traumatising’ move of house. 

‘I’m too old for that. I just need some brain space, get off the treadmill, take stock,’ he said

He added that he had offers from TV networks to make a documentary about his hiatus, but he turned down the offers as it would feel like he was working again. 

‘I said no. Otherwise, it’d just turn into work,’ he said. 

Chris hinted that partner Charlotte Corney influenced him to take some time out.

It comes after Chris told The Mirror about his plans to take a break for three months after suffering ‘burnout’. 

The host of BBC’s flagship Autumnwatch, Winterwatch and Springwatch shows is taking a break from cameras for the first time in nearly four decades after saying he feels like he’s been constantly running on a treadmill.

Time out: It comes after Chris told The Mirror about his plans to take a break for three months after suffering ‘burnout’ 

The 61-year-old wildlife presenter is now embarking on a surprising career change, using the start of the year to create abstract sculptures of animals. 

‘I’m not going to buy a Ferrari and run off with a 20-year-old,’ he told The Mirror. 

‘I’ve never taken three months off work. Never. I can barely sleep I am so excited. I might have to ban [partner] Charlotte from the studios.’

Of his new art project, Chris added: ‘I don’t want any interference or disruption, I want to get on with it. It will be good to clear my head and focus on something completely different.’ 

Chris has had a tough time in recent years. Back in September, the presenter spoke about how he believed his stance on foxhunting is what caused him to be targeted in a firebombing in autumn 2020.

He said attacks on his property are ‘more common when fox season starts’ because he openly calls for an end to the ‘unnecessary cruelty’ of the sport. 

Career: Chris says this is the first time in his TV career he has taken a break (pictured filming The Really Wild Show which ran from 1986 to 1995)