Chris Packham given bodyguard on Winterwatch set after 'specific threats'
The nature programme host has received threats before - and once had dead crows strung up outside his home and a vehicle set on fire outside his gates.
Wednesday 17 January 2024 06:18, UK
Chris Packham says he has a bodyguard on BBC Two's Winterwatch after "specific threats" were made against him.
The 62-year-old presents on the wildlife show - which returned on Tuesday night - with co-hosts Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams.
"A couple of times recently, before the Watches, we've had specific threats for me," Packham told the Mirror.
"So we've had a person who's there and stays at the hotel, and then goes with me to the place."
The bodyguard is said to accompany Packham during and after filming.
"We have had several threats recently that are not death threats but they're saying, 'We're going to harm you'," he said.
"And they come, unbelievably, from emails.
"So we've got the person's email address, obviously, I've reported them to the police.
"I haven't heard back from the police but they've acknowledged receipt of them. So we've had two in the last month, saying, 'I'm going to harm you and harm your family'."
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Packham has received threats before and had dead crows strung up outside his home in 2019.
That incident came after he supported a legal challenge which led to restrictions on shooting "pest" birds.
His New Forest home was also targeted by arsonists in 2021, with hooded men driving up to his gates and setting a Land Rover on fire late at night.
Packham told the Mirror that police had an idea who was responsible and had described them as "career criminals" from outside the area who were probably paid to do the job.