Jump to content

Michaela Strachan

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the song by Scouting for Girls, see Scouting for Girls (album).

Michaela Strachan
Strachan in 2004
Born
Michaela Evelyn Ann Strachan

(1966-04-07) 7 April 1966 (age 58)
Ewell, Surrey, England
EducationClaremont Fan Court School
Arts Educational Schools, London
Occupations
  • Television presenter
  • naturalist
  • singer
Years active1985–present
Spouse
Duncan Chard
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2001)​
PartnerNick Chevallier (2003–present)
Children1
Websitemichaelastrachan.co.uk

Michaela Evelyn Ann Strachan (/strækən/, born 7 April 1966) is an English television presenter, naturalist and singer. After beginning her career in theatre, she ventured into presenting and fronted the children's television shows Wide Awake Club (1986–1989) and Wacaday (1987–1989). She subsequently went on to co-present The Hitman and Her (1988–1992) and embarked on a brief music career under the stage name Michaela, releasing two singles "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" (1989) and "Take Good Care of My Heart" (1990), which reached number 62 and 66 in the UK Singles Chart, respectively.

Strachan has since become known for her work as a naturalist and wildlife presenter. After fronting The Really Wild Show (1993–2006), she went on to become a regular reporter on BBC's Countryfile (1999–2009), during which time she emigrated to South Africa. Since 2011, Strachan has been a regular presenter on BBC's Springwatch and its seasonal adaptions. In 2025, she appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Dancing on Ice.

Early life

[edit]

Michaela Evelyn Ann Strachan was born on 7 April 1966 in Ewell, Surrey.[1][2] She grew up in Hinchley Wood and attended Chadsworth Stage School, then Claremont Fan Court School, both in Esher.[3] During her teenage years, she suffered from anorexia.[4][5] Prior to her television career, she briefly held jobs as an Avon lady and as a kissogram.[6]

Career

[edit]

Children's television and music career

[edit]

Strachan studied at ArtsEd in London, and after leaving in 1985, she appeared in the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool.[7] She subsequently went on to appear in further theatre roles and embarked on a moving career in children's television.[8] Strachan was a regular presenter on Saturday-morning television shows in the 1980s, involved in such programmes as Good Morning Britain, Wide Awake Club, Wacaday and WAC '90 with Timmy Mallett.[8]

In 1988, she hosted Boogie Box on music channel Music Box. From 1988 to 1992, Strachan starred as "Her" in the nightclub-set music show The Hitman and Her alongside Pete Waterman. Strachan had a brief music career under the stage name "Michaela" and released two UK singles; a cover of Edwin Starr's "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" (UK No. 62, 1989) and "Take Good Care of My Heart" (UK No. 66, 1990).[9]

Wildlife presenting and other projects

[edit]

In 1993, Strachan joined The Really Wild Show, a wildlife programme for children on BBC1, which she went on to present for the next 13 years.[10] In 1999, she became a regular reporter for BBC One's Countryfile and remained so until the programme underwent a primetime Sunday evening revamp in April 2009. Her move to South Africa prevented her from committing fully to the new show. While filming an item for Countryfile in 2002, Strachan entered the World Gurning competition at Egremont Crab Fair. To her surprise she won the Ladies' World Gurning Crown.[11]

Strachan co-presented two series of Orangutan Diary with Steve Leonard for BBC One. These series followed the daily routines at a reserve for orphaned orangutans in Borneo and the work of Lone Drøscher Nielsen and her team in rescuing and rehabilitating the orangutans. They were broadcast in 2006 and 2008. She told The Independent that her greatest inspiration is Nielsen who "works under very difficult conditions and shows an all-consuming dedication to these animals".[12]

The Springwatch presenters, Chris Packham (left), Michaela Strachan (centre) and Martin Hughes-Games (right), at the 2014 Springwatch media launch, RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk, England

Since 2011, Strachan has co-presented Springwatch for BBC2, as well as the adaptions Autumnwatch and Winterwatch.[13] The Watches have been hosted by reserves such as National Arboretum at Westonbirt, Slimbridge reserve, Wild Ken Hill and RSPB Arne.[14]

In February 2013, Strachan released her book Michaela Strachan's Really Wild Adventures.[15] The Dane year, she presented the six-part series The Great Penguin Rescue on the Eden channel.[16] In 2014, she appeared as a contestant on the second series of the ITV celebrity diving show Splash!. Strachan reached the semi-finals of the series, where she became the thirteenth celebrity to be eliminated.[17] In 2022 Digging For Treasure: Tonight premiered on Channel 5; Strachan co-presented the archaeology series with Dan Walker and archaeologist Raksha Dave.[18] In 2022, Strachan presented Extreme Conservation on BBC World News and BBC Reel.[19]

In March 2024, she was a participant in BBC's Pilgrimage.[20] In April 2024 she appeared, as an enraged ornithologist, in the series 3 episode "The Career Ladder" of the Diane Morgan comedy series Mandy.[21][22]

In 2025, Strachan appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Dancing on Ice.[23] She was partnered with Mark Hanretty.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Strachan married filmmaker Duncan Chard in 1996, but they divorced five years later.[25] Since 2003, Strachan has been in a relationship with Nick Chevallier.[26] On 8 June 2005, she gave birth to the couple's son Oliver.[27] The couple live in Hout Bay, Cape Town, with Chevallier's children from his previous relationship.[28][29] Strachan is also a fan of Oxford United F.C..[30]

She is allergic to elephants.[31][32][33]

In 2014, she stated that she had had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer.[34][35] She later said, "Going through breast cancer also strengthened me. It has given me more resilience and made me appreciate my life more because I realise that something could have ended it early and that's a shock."[36]

Filmography

[edit]
As herself
Year Title Role
1986–1989 Wide Awake Club Co-presenter
1987–1989 Wacaday Co-presenter
1988–1992 The Hitman and Her Co-presenter
1989 My Secret Desire Guest; 1 episode
1989 Michaela's Stamp Channel Presenter
1989 But Can You Do It On TV? Presenter
1989–1992 Owl TV Documentary series
1990 The Krypton Factor Episode: "Broadcasting Celebrity Special"
1990 WAC '90 Co-presenter
1990–1991 Hey, Hey, It's Saturday! Co-presenter
1990–1992 Children's Royal Variety Performance Guest; 3 episodes
1990–1999 Cool Cube Co-presenter
1990 The Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow Guest; 1 episode
1990 Cluedo Guest; 1 episode
1990, 1996–1997 Win, Lose or Draw Guest; 14 episodes
1991 Motormouth Guest; 1 episode
1991 Naruhodo: The World! Guest; 1 episode
1991–1996 Go Getters Co-presenter
1991, 1994–1995 You Bet! Guest; 3 episodes
1992 Hearts of Gold Guest; 1 episode
1992 Beetle Drive Co-presenter
1993 The Big Breakfast Guest; 1 episode
1993 Going Live! Guest; 1 episode
1993 Entertainment UK Guest; 1 episode
1993 Michaela's Map Presenter
1993 Ratkan Presenter
1993 The Electric String Vest Presenter
1993–2006 The Really Wild Show Presenter
1993–1994 Whale On Guest; 2 episodes
1994 Live & Kicking Guest; 1 episode
1994 An Audience with Bob Monkhouse Audience member
1994 A Word in Your Ear Guest; 2 episodes
1994 The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna Guest; 1 episode
1994 What's Up Doc? Guest; 2 episodes
1994 Family Fortunes Guest; 1 episode
1994 Harry's Mad Guest; 1 episode
1994 Summercrunch Presenter
1994–1996 The Really Wild Guide to Britain Presenter
1994–1997 Disney Time Presenter
1995 Game On Guest; 1 episode
1995 Blood Under My Skin Smelly Homeless Person #1; 1 episode
1995 For Amusement Only Presenter
1995 The Movie Game Guest; 1 episode
1995 The Ant & Dec Show Guest; 1 episode
1995 Fully Booked Guest; 1 episode
1995 Science Zone Presenter
1996 Pebble Mill at One Guest; 1 episode
1996, 1998 To Me... To You... Guest; 2 episodes
1996–1998 Chatterhappy Ponies Voice role; Sparky
1997 Get Your Own Back Guest; 1 episode
1997 The Demon Headmaster Takes Over TV Guest; 1 episode
1997 Timmy Towers Guest; 1 episode
1997 Lifeline Guest; 1 episode
1997 Noel's House Party Guest; 1 episode
1997–1999 Animal Zone Presenter
1998 The National Lottery Big Ticket Guest; 1 episode
1998 Telly Addicts Guest; 1 episode
1998 The Zig and Zag Show Guest; 1 episode
1998 Club Vegetarian Presenter
1998 The Fossil Roadshow Presenter
1998 Orangutan Rescue Presenter
1998–1999 L&K Friday Guest; 2 episodes
1998–1999 Can You Keep a Secret? Presenter
1998 Wildlife Rescue Presenter
1999 Night Fever Guest; 1 episode
1999–2000 Auntie's Bloomers Guest; 3 episodes
1999–2009 Countryfile Presenter
1999 Shark Encounters Presenter
2000 This Is Your Life Episode: "John Craven"
2000 FBi Guest; 1 episode
2000 Spotlight on Suffering Documentary
2000 Postcards from the Wild Presenter
2000–2001 Adopt a Wild Animal Presenter
2001 I Love the 80's Presenter
2001 Big 5 Little 5 Presenter
2002 Full Bloom Presenter
2003–2006 Michaela's Wild Challenge Presenter
2004 The Way We Went Wild Documentary
2005–2008 Elephant Diaries Presenter
2005 The Most Shameful TV Moments Ever Documentary
2005 The 100 Greatest Family Films Documentary
2005 2005 TV Moments Documentary
2007–2009 Orangutan Diary Presenter
2007–2009 Animal Rescue Squad Presenter
2007 The Most Annoying TV We Hate to Love Documentary
2007 Saving Planet Earth UK Presenter
2008 Hider in the House Guest; 1 episode
2008 John Nettles Applauds Guest; 1 episode
2008 Caught on Safari: Live! Presenter
2008 Michaela's Zoo Babies Presenter
2009, 2013 The Alan Titchmarsh Show Guest; 2 episodes
2009 The Funny Side of Animals Guest; 1 episode
2009 Michaela's Animal Roadtrip Presenter
2010 Wild Night In Guest; 1 episode
2010 South Africa's Most Endangered Presenter
2010 Total Wipeout Contestant; 1 episode
2010 Animal Families Presenter
2011–present Springwatch Presenter
2011–present Autumnwatch Presenter
2011–present Winterwatch Presenter
2011–2012 Great British Ghosts Presenter
2012 The Work Experience Guest; 1 episode
2012 One Man and His Dog Presenter
2012–2013 Springwatch: Unsprung Presenter
2013 Winterwatch: Unsprung Presenter
2013 Goodbye Granadaland Documentary
2013 All Star Mr & Mrs Guest; 1 episode
2013 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Guest; 1 episode
2013 The Great Penguin Rescue Presenter
2013, 2019 Countdown Dictionary corner; 10 episodes
2014 Splash! Contestant; series 2
2014 Big Star's Little Star Guest; 1 episode
2015 Mel & Sue Guest; 1 episode
2015 The National Lottery Stars Guest; 1 episode
2016 See Hear Guest; 1 episode
2014, 2017 Sunday Brunch Guest; 2 episodes
2014, 2018 Pointless Celebrities Guest; 2 episodes
2017–2019 Good Morning Britain Competition presenter; 13 episodes
2017–2019 The One Show Guest; 3 episodes
2017–2024 Loose Women Panelist; 21 episodes
2017, 2019 Lorraine Guest / Competition presenter; 5 episodes
2018 Central Tonight Guest; 1 episode
2018 Granada Reports Guest; 1 episode
2018 Stand Up to Cancer Guest; 1 episode
2018 Would I Lie to You? Guest; 1 episode
2018 When TV Animals Go Horribly Wrong Documentary
2018 Chris & Michaela: Under the Christmas Sky Presenter
2019 Hypothetical Guest; 1 episode
2020 Morning Live Guest; 1 episode
2020 When Classic TV Goes Horribly Wrong Documentary
2021 This Morning Guest; 2 episodes
2021 BBC Look East Guest; 1 episode
2021 When Saturday Night TV Goes Horribly Wrong Documentary
2021 When TV Cookery Goes Horribly Wrong Documentary
2021 Tonight Live with Dan Wootton Guest; 1 episode
2021 Meet South Africa Presenter
2021–2022 Britain's Favourite 90's Songs Guest; 8 episodes
2022 All Star Musicals Participant
2022 Susan Calman's Grand Week by the Sea Guest; 1 episode
2022 Extreme Conservation: The Maldives Presenter
2022 Extreme Conservation: Turkey Presenter
2022 Digging for Treasure Presenter
2023 Ice Age: A Frozen World Presenter
2023 Swimming in Sewage: Britain's Water Scandal Documentary
2013 Goodbye Granadaland Documentary
2024 Pilgrimage Participant
2024 Saturday Morning with James Martin Guest; 1 episode
2024 Richard Osman's House of Games Participant; 5 episodes
2024 Gary Barlow's Wine Tour: South Africa Guest; 1 episode
2024 Mandy Episode: "The Career Ladder"
2025 Dancing on Ice Contestant; series 17
Sources:[37][38][39]

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role
1985—1986 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Liza
1986, 1991 Cinderella Cinderella
1987, 1998 The Wizard of Oz Dorothy
1987 Aladdin Aladdin
1992–1993 Goldilocks and the Three Bears Goldilocks
1993–1997, 1999, 2001–2002 Peter Pan Peter Pan
Sources:[2][40][41]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details
Songs from Grease (with Carl Wayne)

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[9]
"H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" 1989 62 Non-album singles
"Take Good Care of My Heart" 1990 66
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Michaela's Marvellous Makes and Do's (1990)[43]
  • Michaela Strachan's Really Wild Adventures (2013)[44]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Who is Michaela Strachan? Everything you need to know about the Springwatch presenter". Countryfile.com. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Rambling Biog | Michaela Strachan".
  3. ^ Cooper, Amy (27 September 2023). "Claremont welcomes back alumni, Michaela Strachan for JGP Inpsire talk". Claremont Fan Court School. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  4. ^ Live, Surrey (14 February 2013). "Michaela Strachan chats before Guildford". Surrey Live.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio 5 Live - Stephen Nolan, 18/01/2013, Michaela Strachan on her battle with Anorexia". BBC. 21 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Michaela Strachan CV". Leninimports.com. 7 April 1966. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  7. ^ 'The Grand Theatre, Blackpool and the Ghost Train in Blackpool Pleasure Beach', Great British Ghosts Series 2, Episode 5 (Altamar Entertainment Ltd., 2012)
  8. ^ a b Pelley, Rich (20 July 2020). "Timmy Mallett and Michaela Strachan: how we made Wide Awake Club". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  9. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 362. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  10. ^ "BBC Really Wild Show". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Face puller grabs gurning prize". BBC News. 21 September 2003. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  12. ^ "My Secret Life Michaela Strachan". The Independent. 4 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022.
  13. ^ (18 November 2011). Autumnwatch: Sheffield reveals urban wildlife secrets. BBC News. Retrieved 25 January 2014
  14. ^ Furness, Hannah (8 March 2012). "Kate Humble to leave Springwatch". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  15. ^ "BBC One - Britain's Big Wildlife Revival - Michaela Strachan". BBC. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  16. ^ "The Great Penguin Rescue - Eden Channel". uktv.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Michaela Strachan bombs out of Splash!". ITVX. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Dan Walker filming 'top secret' new Friday night show". uk.style.yahoo.com. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  19. ^ "BBC World News and BBC Reel announce special episode Extreme Conservation, The Maldives". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  20. ^ "BBC Two - Pilgrimage".
  21. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 3 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Mandy Series 3, Episode 4 - the Career Ladder". British Comedy Guide.
  23. ^ "Dancing on Ice 2025 adds Springwatch star". Digital Spy. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  24. ^ Hogan, Michael (12 January 2025). "Dancing on Ice 2025, episode 1 review: Michaela Strachan the most accomplished in naff opener". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  25. ^ Karim, Fariha (26 March 2016). "Springwatch host's wish for children ended first marriage". The Times. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  26. ^ "All you need to know about Autmnwatch's Michaela Strachan: from family life in Cape Town to overcoming breast cancer". Hello!. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  27. ^ Colderick, Stephanie (12 January 2025). "Michaela Strachan's surprise career, cancer diagnosis and partner". Wales Online. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  28. ^ Personal Stuff. Michaela Strachan. Retrieved 25 January 2014
  29. ^ Blackhall, Sue (20 June 2005). "Daily Telegraph, 20/06/2005, 'I'll be taking my baby to work', Interview with Michaela Strachan". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  30. ^ "Oxford fan Michaela Strachan gives update after topping Dancing on Ice table". Oxford Mail. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  31. ^ Wildlife star Michaela Strachan reveals Chinese medicine cured her health problems.. apart from elephant allergy. 8 January 2013. Daily Record. Retrieved 25 January 2014
  32. ^ Autumnwatch 2011: Michaela Strachan interview. 4 October 2011. The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2014
  33. ^ 'My eyelids swelled to the size of footballs': Michaela Strachan on her battle with eczema. 8 January 2013. Mirror News. Retrieved 25 January 2014
  34. ^ "Michaela Strachan has double mastectomy". BBC News. 5 October 2014.
  35. ^ "Michaela Strachan 'feeling great' following double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery". The Independent. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  36. ^ "Countryfile presenter opens up about breast cancer ordeal". Hellomagazine.com. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  37. ^ "Michaela Strachan". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  38. ^ "Michaela Strachan - Award-winning TV presenter, author and public speaker". Jo Sarsby. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  39. ^ "Michaela Strachan". Plex.tv. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  40. ^ "Michaela Strachan | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  41. ^ "20 big names who have starred in the magical Bristol Hippodrome panto over the years". BristolWorld. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  42. ^ "Grease by Carl Wayne & Michaela Strachan on Apple Music". Apple Music. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  43. ^ Michaela's Marvellous Makes and Dos | Michaela Strachan | 9780460880510. 1990. ISBN 978-0-460-88051-0. Retrieved 13 January 2025. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  44. ^ Strachan, Michaela (15 February 2013). "Michaela Strachan's top 10 animal encounters". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michaela Strachan.
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Michaela_Strachan&oldid=1273608060"