RIP Terry Nutkins

[Darkon84]

TV presenter Terry Nutkins, famous for appearances on BBC nature programmes like Animal Magic and The Really Wild Show, has died at the age of 66.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19520824

Terry Nutkins, TV wildlife presenter, dies aged 66

TV presenter Terry Nutkins, famous for appearances on BBC nature programmes like Animal Magic and The Really Wild Show, has died at the age of 66.

Born in London in 1946, Nutkins helped out at London Zoo as a child and later helped author Gavin Maxwell care for otters on the west coast of Scotland.

The wildlife expert spent seven years on Animal Magic and was later seen on Growing Up Wild and Pets Win Prizes.

The father of eight was being treated for leukaemia when he died on Thursday.

Nutkins' love of animals was undimmed by an incident when, aged 15, he had the top joints of two of his fingers bitten off by a wild otter named Edal.

Renowned for his natural ebullience and unruly hair style, he played a major role in the restoration of the historic Fort Augustus Abbey on the shores of Loch Ness.

In his childhood, Maxwell, the author of Ring of Bright Water, became Nutkins' legal guardian so that he could remain in Scotland to assist him.

Naturalist and broadcaster Johnny Morris, the main presenter of Animal Magic, also regarded Nutkins as his protege and left his house to him when he died in 1999.

In recent years he made guest appearances on Ready Steady Cook, Celebrity Ghost Stories and a tribute documentary to Australian "crocodile hunter" Steve Irwin.

TV presenter Philip Schofield was among the first to pay tribute to the broadcaster, remembering him as "a delightful man and passionate naturalist".

"So sad to hear of the death of Terry Nutkins," he wrote on Twitter. "I worked with him often in my 'broom cupboard' days."

Wildlife presenter Ben Fogle described Nutkins as one of his "childhood inspirations", while comedian Ricky Gervais said he was a "thoroughly nice chap".

John Miles, Nutkins' agent, said he had died at his home in Scotland after a "brave" nine-month battle with acute leukaemia.

"He just loved animals," Mr Miles told BBC News. "He fought many causes to make sure animals were looked after, and the environment in general."

"Terry was a fun, ebullient and enthusiastic naturalist," said the wildlife film-maker Simon King. "He expressed this through his work on television and through his conservation efforts.

"He had a great love of animals and will always be remembered for that."

Was always a bit of a hero of mine growing up watching The Really Wild Show, with Chris Packham and Michela Strachan.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Natural history legend! You'll notice he's missing the end of his middle finger on his right hand. Bitten off by an otter - and he still liked animals!!!

Except otters.

He hated otters.

Or demonfish as he called them.

[Uncle Phil]

Natural history legend! You'll notice he's missing the end of his middle finger on his right hand. Bitten off by an otter - and he still liked animals!!!

Both hands.

R.I.P He's one of the reasons I work in conservation today.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Both hands.

R.I.P He's one of the reasons I work in conservation today.

Are you trying to say that otters (demonfish) have a concept of symmetry?

[RonnieTodger]

Bless him. Used to watch as a kid on The Really Wild Show. He had a feature called "Poo corner". Looking back, I can't remember why.

R.I.P.

[One Arm Babba]

Really saddened by this. He always came across as a nice guy. 66 is too young. RIP

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Really saddened by this. He always came across as a nice guy. 66 is too young. RIP

This, way too young

[Uncle Phil]

Are you trying to say that otters (demonfish) have a concept of symmetry?

The Demonfish is renowned for it's concept of symmetry.

Something Terry wanted to demonstrate with his hair.

[DB11]

RIP

[Jaspa]

Im sure he loved what he did, and he did it for a very long time.

Came across as a top class bloke from what I saw in the late 90s and 00s, even got on Brass Eye if I remember right

RIP