TV STAR Steve Backshall has travelled the world and fronted a host of top TV shows.
Here’s all you need to know about about the husband of Olympic gold medallist Helen Glover, as she leads Team GB into this year’s games.
Stephen James Backshall MBE is one of TV’s best known presenters, and has hosted a range of programmes.
He’s most widely recognised from his work on shows about wildlife and travel, but he’s also written a number of books too.
Steve was born on April 21, 1973, in Surrey.
His upbringing no doubt influenced his love for wildlife and travel.
Steve’s parents both worked for British Airways, and he was brought up on a small farm surrounded by lots of animals.
At a young age, Steve’s mum and dad would make use of their discounted travel perks to take him and his family to far-flung parts of the world.
As he got older, Steve started to travel solo, spending a lot of time backpacking around Asia where he started to write travel guides.
He moved into TV, hosting shows that would see him travel to many places and come face to face with dangerous predators.
He initially worked with the National Geographic Channel, before moving to work with the BBC.
Steve and his teams have won two Baftas for Deadly 60, picking up best children’s TV presenter and best factual series.
He’s also hosted Channel 5 show Meet the Hedgehogs – a one-hour documentary special that he presented with Queen guitarist, Brian May.
He’s set to host a new show with the channel – all about bees.
Steve took part in Strictly in 2014, however he’s recently added his own experiences to the allegations of bullying that have been made about the show.
Helen and Steve met whilst they were both taking part in a Sport Relief event at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2014.
Steve announced their engagement just a year later, after getting down on one knee whilst in the Namib desert – she said yes!
They got married in September 2016 in a stunning ceremony by the coast near Penzance in Cornwall.
At the ceremony they both spoke about how they met, with Steve saying: “From the second I saw Hels, I knew she was the one.”
The couple have spoken many times about how they support each other in their work.
They both train together – although Steve admits he struggles to keep up with Helen sometimes.
Helen and Steve have three children together.
Logan was born in 2018, following the tragic miscarriage of his twin.
During her pregnancy, Helen tweeted: “We’ve had the hard news that one baby hasn’t made it but we are very excited and hopeful for the remaining baby to arrive this summer.”
Twins Kit and Willow followed in 2020.
Steve tweeted the news of the arrival of the twins, saying: “Being a twin is like being born with a soulmate. A best friend always on hand to play, fight, argue and make up stories with.
“And Helen should know, being a twin herself. All I know is that life is about to get double the crazy. And we couldn’t be happier.”
All their children’s names have a Cornish connection, due to Helen being from Cornwall herself.
Helen is one of the flag-bearers for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics, alongside diver Tom Daley.
She’s had a hugely successful rowing career, winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics and again at the games in Rio in 2016.
To see myself on the podium with my kids there. It’s quite ambitious, it’s a lot of hard work ahead of me, but to be on the podium is definitely a goal.”
Helen Glover
Helen is also a triple World champion, five-time World Cup champion and five-time European champion.
She’s been selected to be part of the women’s coxless four for Team GB for the 2024 Olympics.
Speaking to The Sun at the time she was picked, she said she didn’t want to return home without a medal.
She said: “To see myself on the podium with my kids there. It’s quite ambitious, it’s a lot of hard work ahead of me, but to be on the podium is definitely a goal.”
The first heat of the rowing event takes place on Sunday, July 28.
The final is then in the morning of Thursday, August 1.
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
Paris 2024 Olympics – Opening Ceremony
Only one show in town today.. just about!
The historic Opening Ceremony which is taking place on the River Seine rather than a stadium ends proceedings on Friday evening.
While there has been football and rugby sevens among events which started before the ceremony this week, they will not be taking place on the day of the big bash.
Only shooting pre-event training will take place on the day of the Opening Ceremony.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
