Steve Backshall in Alaska.
Camera IconSteve Backshall in Alaska. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Steve Backshall brings Deadly 60 adventures to Perth

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

ANIMALS have always been a part of Steve Backshall’s life.

His childhood was spent on a small farm in the south of England surrounded by rescued animals and his fascination for creatures, wild and domestic, grew from there.

It was while working as a writer Backshall had an idea for a television show.

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“I went out on my own to the jungles of Colombia, made the film, then sold it to National Geographic,” he said.

“That was 16 years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Backshall first pitched television series Deadly 60 to the BBC in 2006, which follows him tracking down the world’s most dangerous animals.

“We deal with the kind of animals that have universal fascination; birds of prey, sharks, snakes, spiders,” he said.

“But we keep things moving, so if someone hates spiders they know if they keep watching something new will be along in a few minutes.”

Backshall said his most memorable animal encounter was an underwater ballet with a giant sperm whale.

“She was mirroring my movements, diving when I dived, spinning pirouettes alongside me and looking me in the eye every second,” he said.

“It was remarkable.”

Backshall will be in Perth in January for his first Australian shows, Deadly 60 Live! where fans will have the chance to see wildlife footage of some of the world’s most exotic creatures and places while he narrates the experiences.

The audience will then have the opportunity to quiz Backshall, who has planned some new animal encounters while in the country.

“I’m filming in Australian directly after the tour, looking for box jellies, salties (crocodiles) and blue ringed octopus,” he said.

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Deadly 60 Live!

Where: Riverside Theatre

When: January 20 to 21

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au