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

‘I’m not having a mid-life crisis!’ Chris Packham reveals he’s taking a break from his TV career to get some ‘head space’ before a three-month hiatus from work due to ‘exhaustion’

TV star and animal rights activist Chris Packham has spoken candidly about his need to take a three-month break from work amid “burnout”.

The media personality, 61, said The times this week you need to rest to give yourself some ‘head space’.

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

‘I’m not having a mid-life crisis!’ Chris Packham revealed this week that he is taking a break from his television career to get some “headspace” before a three-month hiatus from work.

“I’m not having a midlife crisis,” she told the publication.

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

Chris, who has Asperger’s syndrome, said he’s had a tough year and it involved a “traumatic” move.

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

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

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

‘I said no. Otherwise it would just become work,” she said.

Chris hinted that his partner, Charlotte Corney, influenced him to take a break.

It comes after Chris said Mirror about his plans to take a three-month break after suffering burnout.

The presenter of the BBC’s flagship shows Autumnwatch, Winterwatch and Springwatch is taking a break from the cameras for the first time in almost 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'

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, taking advantage of the start of the year to create abstract animal sculptures.

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

I have never taken three months off. Never. I can barely sleep, I’m so excited. I may have to ban [partner] Charlotte from the studios.

On his new art project, Chris added: “I don’t want any interference or interruption, I want to keep going.” It will be good to clear my mind and focus on something else entirely.’

Chris has had some tough times in recent years. In September, the presenter opened up about how he believed his stance on fox hunting was what led to his being firebombed in the fall of 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 that he's taken a break (pictured filming The Really Wild Show, which ran from 1986 to 1995)

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