Really wild night with Michaela Strachan awaits in Northampton

She’s been “Wide Awake” on Saturday mornings, cuddling orangutans, wrangling Chris Packham and skating to the final of Dancing on Ice. Now, to mark four decades on TV, Michaela promises a high-energy, heartwarming evening of shared highs, lows and unexpected moments as she celebrates her varied career.

From Wide Awake Club to The Hitman and Her, The Really Wild Show, Countryfile, Springwatch and beyond, the live show will laugh at the chaos of TV, celebrate the beauty of nature and reflect on what it means to grow up - and grow older - on screen.

Michaela said: “When I started presenting in the ‘80s, I thought it would be incredible to last even ten years. It’s been an extraordinary career and I’m excited to share my memories of what’s been a ‘Really Wild’ ride at times. I’m really looking forward to taking a trip down memory lane and inviting audiences to reminisce and laugh along with me!”

Michaela’s presenting career began in the 1980s on children’s TV with Wide Awake Club, presenting alongside Timmy Mallett. She quickly expanded into TV for adults, presenting the late night music show The Hitman and Her with Pete Waterman. She has been a known face on the BBC for decades, having spent over 15 years fronting the BBC’s award-winning children’s series The Really Wild Show. Known for her vibrant on-screen personality, Michaela has been a key figure on BBC Two’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch for over 14 years. She was also a familiar face on BBC One’s Countryfile for a decade.

In 2024, Michaela appeared on the popular series Pilgrimage and made a surprise cameo appearance on Mandy with Diane Morgan (BBC Two). In 2023, she presented Extreme Conservation in The Maldives and Turkey for BBC World News. Other notable BBC credits include Orangutan Diaries, Orangutan Rescue, Elephant Diaries and One Man and His Dog for BBC Two, and Total Wipeout and Shark Encounters for BBC One.

Michaela’s Wild Challenge for Channel 5 was a double BAFTA award-winning production – Michaela won the BAFTA for Best Children’s Presenter, and the programme won Best Children’s Factual. Work for National Geographic and Animal Planet includes Safari Live from the Kruger National Park, Adopt a Wild Animal, Postcards from the Wild and Big 5 Little 5, which Michaela presented alongside long-standing friend and presenter Chris Packham.

Michaela’s career has been especially varied, with at least different 50 series under her belt. Her list of credits include a vegetarian cooking programme, two series about fossils and even a series about British ghosts.

Michaela Strachan: Not Just A Wild Life comes to the Royal & Derngate on Thursday April 30. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.