Martin Hughes-Games: Ex-Springwatch star says white, middle-class men are an 'endangered species' on TV
"I'm an endangered species. Let's hope conservation efforts keep me going," says Martin Hughes-Games.
Tuesday 23 July 2019 10:15, UK
Former Springwatch presenter Martin Hughes-Games has said that "white, middle-class, old-aged" men are an "endangered species" on television.
The 63-year-old announced on Twitter that he had been axed by the BBC in September 2016, leading to "outrage" among his fans, who said they would complain to the commissioner.
Days later, it appeared the BBC had had a change of heart, and he confirmed he would return to the long-running show. However, he left for good after 12 years in 2018.
In a new interview with the Radio Times, Hughes-Games replied, "Oh, don't ask me that", when asked whether he would return.
He then continued: "I think the commissioner's a bit grumpy with me, because I'm white, middle-class, old-aged... Who wants me on their show?"
He joked: "I'm an endangered species. Let's hope that conservation efforts keep me going, rather than going extinct..."
Hughes-Games added that there are "white, middle-class, old-aged presenters, who are actually quite good at their jobs".
He also said he misses his former co-stars Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan "terribly", saying: "I'm still very much in contact with them. I miss them very, very much indeed.
"Michaela, Chris and I had a lovely chemistry which was the most wonderful thing to be a part of. It was just great, it really was."
Asked if he watches the show now, he said he found it "very, very difficult to watch".
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