# Michaela Strachan

Michaela Evelyn Ann Strachan (/strækən/, born 7 April 1966) is an English television presenter, naturalist and singer. After beginning her career in theatre, she ventured into presenting and fronted the children's television shows Wide Awake Club (1986–1989) and Wacaday (1987–1989). She subsequently went on to co-present The Hitman and Her (1988–1992) and embarked on a brief music career under the stage name Michaela, releasing two singles "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" (1989) and "Take Good Care of My Heart" (1990), which reached number 62 and 66 in the UK Singles Chart, respectively.
Strachan has since become known for her work as a naturalist and wildlife presenter. After fronting The Really Wild Show (1993–2006), she went on to become a regular reporter on BBC's Countryfile (1999–2009), during which time she emigrated to South Africa. Since 2011, Strachan has been a regular presenter on BBC's Springwatch and its seasonal adaptions. In 2025, she appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Dancing on Ice.

## Early life

Michaela Evelyn Ann Strachan was born on 7 April 1966 in Ewell, Surrey. She grew up in Hinchley Wood and attended Chadsworth Stage School, then Claremont Fan Court School, both in Esher. During her teenage years, she suffered from anorexia. Prior to her television career, she briefly held jobs as an Avon lady and as a kissogram.

## Career
### Children's television and music career

Strachan studied at ArtsEd in London, and after leaving in 1985, she appeared in the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. She subsequently went on to appear in further theatre roles and embarked on a moving career in children's television. Strachan was a regular presenter on Saturday-morning television shows in the 1980s, involved in such programmes as Good Morning Britain, Wide Awake Club, Wacaday and WAC '90 with Timmy Mallett.
In 1988, she hosted Boogie Box on music channel Music Box. From 1988 to 1992, Strachan starred as "Her" in the nightclub-set music show The Hitman and Her alongside Pete Waterman. Strachan had a brief music career under the stage name "Michaela" and released two UK singles; a cover of Edwin Starr's "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" (UK No. 62, 1989) and "Take Good Care of My Heart" (UK No. 66, 1990).

### Wildlife presenting and other projects

In 1993, Strachan joined The Really Wild Show, a wildlife programme for children on BBC1, which she went on to present for the next 13 years. In 1999, she became a regular reporter for BBC One's Countryfile and remained so until the programme underwent a primetime Sunday evening revamp in April 2009. Her move to South Africa prevented her from committing fully to the new show. While filming an item for Countryfile in 2002, Strachan entered the World Gurning competition at Egremont Crab Fair. To her surprise she won the Ladies' World Gurning Crown.
Strachan co-presented two series of Orangutan Diary with Steve Leonard for BBC One. These series followed the daily routines at a reserve for orphaned orangutans in Borneo and the work of Lone Drøscher Nielsen and her team in rescuing and rehabilitating the orangutans. They were broadcast in 2006 and 2008. She told The Independent that her greatest inspiration is Nielsen who "works under very difficult conditions and shows an all-consuming dedication to these animals".
Since 2011, Strachan has co-presented Springwatch for BBC2, as well as the adaptions Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. The Watches have been hosted by reserves such as National Arboretum at Westonbirt, Slimbridge reserve, Wild Ken Hill and RSPB Arne.
In February 2013, Strachan released her book Michaela Strachan's Really Wild Adventures. The Dane year, she presented the six-part series The Great Penguin Rescue on the Eden channel. In 2014, she appeared as a contestant on the second series of the ITV celebrity diving show Splash!. Strachan reached the semi-finals of the series, where she became the fourteenth celebrity to be eliminated. In 2022 Digging For Treasure: Tonight premiered on Channel 5; Strachan co-presented the archaeology series with Dan Walker and archaeologist Raksha Dave. In 2022, Strachan presented Extreme Conservation on BBC World News and BBC Reel.
In March 2024, she was a participant in BBC's Pilgrimage. In April 2024 she appeared, as an enraged ornithologist, in the series 3 episode "The Career Ladder" of the Diane Morgan comedy series Mandy.
In 2025 Strachan appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Dancing on Ice, partnered with Mark Hanretty.

## Personal life

Strachan married filmmaker Duncan Chard in 1996, but they divorced five years later. Since 2003, Strachan has been in a relationship with Nick Chevallier. On 8 June 2005, she gave birth to the couple's son. The couple live in Hout Bay, Cape Town, with Chevallier's children from his previous relationship. Strachan is also a fan of Oxford United F.C..
She is allergic to elephants.
In 2014, she stated that she had had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer. She later said, "Going through breast cancer also strengthened me. It has given me more resilience and made me appreciate my life more because I realise that something could have ended it early and that's a shock."

## Filmography

As herself :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1986–1989 | Wide Awake Club | Co-presenter |
| 1987–1989 | Wacaday | Co-presenter |
| 1988–1992 | The Hitman and Her | Co-presenter |
| 1989 | My Secret Desire | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1989 | Michaela's Stamp Channel | Presenter |
| 1989 | But Can You Do It On TV? | Presenter |
| 1989–1992 | Owl TV | Documentary series |
| 1990 | The Krypton Factor | Episode: "Broadcasting Celebrity Special" |
| 1990 | WAC '90 | Co-presenter |
| 1990–1991 | Hey, Hey, It's Saturday! | Co-presenter |
| 1990–1992 | Children's Royal Variety Performance | Guest; 3 episodes |
| 1990–1999 | Cool Cube | Co-presenter |
| 1990 | The Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1990 | Cluedo | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1990, 1996–1997 | Win, Lose or Draw | Guest; 14 episodes |
| 1991 | Motormouth | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1991 | Naruhodo: The World! | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1991–1996 | Go Getters | Co-presenter |
| 1991, 1994–1995 | You Bet! | Guest; 3 episodes |
| 1992 | Hearts of Gold | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1992 | Beetle Drive | Co-presenter |
| 1993 | The Big Breakfast | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1993 | Going Live! | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1993 | Entertainment UK | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1993 | Michaela's Map | Presenter |
| 1993 | Ratkan | Presenter |
| 1993 | The Electric String Vest | Presenter |
| 1993–2006 | The Really Wild Show | Presenter |
| 1993–1994 | Whale On | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Live & Kicking | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1994 | An Audience with Bob Monkhouse | Audience member |
| 1994 | A Word in Your Ear | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 1994 | The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1994 | What's Up Doc? | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Family Fortunes | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1994 | Harry's Mad | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1994 | Summercrunch | Presenter |
| 1994–1996 | The Really Wild Guide to Britain | Presenter |
| 1994–1997 | Disney Time | Presenter |
| 1995 | Game On | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1995 | Blood Under My Skin | Smelly Homeless Person #1; 1 episode |
| 1995 | For Amusement Only | Presenter |
| 1995 | The Movie Game | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1995 | The Ant & Dec Show | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1995 | Fully Booked | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1995 | Science Zone | Presenter |
| 1996 | Pebble Mill at One | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1996, 1998 | To Me... To You... | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 1996–1998 | Chatterhappy Ponies | Voice role; Sparky |
| 1997 | Get Your Own Back | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1997 | The Demon Headmaster Takes Over TV | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1997 | Timmy Towers | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1997 | Lifeline | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1997 | Noel's House Party | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1997–1999 | Animal Zone | Presenter |
| 1998 | The National Lottery Big Ticket | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1998 | Telly Addicts | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1998 | The Zig and Zag Show | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1998 | Club Vegetarian | Presenter |
| 1998 | The Fossil Roadshow | Presenter |
| 1998 | Orangutan Rescue | Presenter |
| 1998–1999 | L&K Friday | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 1998–1999 | Can You Keep a Secret? | Presenter |
| 1998 | Wildlife Rescue | Presenter |
| 1999 | Night Fever | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1999–2000 | Auntie's Bloomers | Guest; 3 episodes |
| 1999–2009 | Countryfile | Presenter |
| 1999 | Shark Encounters | Presenter |
| 2000 | This Is Your Life | Episode: "John Craven" |
| 2000 | FBi | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2000 | Spotlight on Suffering | Documentary |
| 2000 | Postcards from the Wild | Presenter |
| 2000–2001 | Adopt a Wild Animal | Presenter |
| 2001 | I Love the 80's | Presenter |
| 2001 | Big 5 Little 5 | Presenter |
| 2002 | Full Bloom | Presenter |
| 2003–2006 | Michaela's Wild Challenge | Presenter |
| 2004 | The Way We Went Wild | Documentary |
| 2005–2008 | Elephant Diaries | Presenter |
| 2005 | The Most Shameful TV Moments Ever | Documentary |
| 2005 | The 100 Greatest Family Films | Documentary |
| 2005 | 2005 TV Moments | Documentary |
| 2007–2009 | Orangutan Diary | Presenter |
| 2007–2009 | Animal Rescue Squad | Presenter |
| 2007 | The Most Annoying TV We Hate to Love | Documentary |
| 2007 | Saving Planet Earth UK | Presenter |
| 2008 | Hider in the House | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2008 | John Nettles Applauds | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2008 | Caught on Safari: Live! | Presenter |
| 2008 | Michaela's Zoo Babies | Presenter |
| 2009, 2013 | The Alan Titchmarsh Show | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 2009 | The Funny Side of Animals | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2009 | Michaela's Animal Roadtrip | Presenter |
| 2010 | Wild Night In | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2010 | South Africa's Most Endangered | Presenter |
| 2010 | Total Wipeout | Contestant; 1 episode |
| 2010 | Animal Families | Presenter |
| 2011–present | Springwatch | Presenter |
| 2011–present | Autumnwatch | Presenter |
| 2011–present | Winterwatch | Presenter |
| 2011–2012 | Great British Ghosts | Presenter |
| 2012 | The Work Experience | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2012 | One Man and His Dog | Presenter |
| 2012–2013 | Springwatch: Unsprung | Presenter |
| 2013 | Winterwatch: Unsprung | Presenter |
| 2013 | Goodbye Granadaland | Documentary |
| 2013 | All Star Mr & Mrs | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2013 | Celebrity Antiques Road Trip | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2013 | The Great Penguin Rescue | Presenter |
| 2013, 2019 | Countdown | Dictionary corner; 10 episodes |
| 2014 | Splash! | Contestant; series 2 |
| 2014 | Big Star's Little Star | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2015 | Mel & Sue | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2015 | The National Lottery Stars | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2016 | See Hear | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2014, 2017 | Sunday Brunch | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 2014, 2018 | Pointless Celebrities | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | Good Morning Britain | Competition presenter; 13 episodes |
| 2017–2019, 2025 | The One Show | Guest; 4 episodes |
| 2017–2024 | Loose Women | Panelist; 21 episodes |
| 2017, 2019 | Lorraine | Guest / Competition presenter; 5 episodes |
| 2018 | Central Tonight | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2018 | Granada Reports | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2018 | Stand Up to Cancer | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2018 | Would I Lie to You? | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2018 | When TV Animals Go Horribly Wrong | Documentary |
| 2018 | Chris & Michaela: Under the Christmas Sky | Presenter |
| 2019 | Hypothetical | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2020 | Morning Live | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2020 | When Classic TV Goes Horribly Wrong | Documentary |
| 2021 | This Morning | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 2021 | BBC Look East | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2021 | When Saturday Night TV Goes Horribly Wrong | Documentary |
| 2021 | When TV Cookery Goes Horribly Wrong | Documentary |
| 2021 | Tonight Live with Dan Wootton | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2021 | Meet South Africa | Presenter |
| 2021–2022 | Britain's Favourite 90's Songs | Guest; 8 episodes |
| 2022 | All Star Musicals | Participant |
| 2022 | Susan Calman's Grand Week by the Sea | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2022 | Extreme Conservation: The Maldives | Presenter |
| 2022 | Extreme Conservation: Turkey | Presenter |
| 2022 | Digging for Treasure | Presenter |
| 2023 | Ice Age: A Frozen World | Presenter |
| 2023 | Swimming in Sewage: Britain's Water Scandal | Documentary |
| 2013 | Goodbye Granadaland | Documentary |
| 2024 | Pilgrimage | Participant |
| 2024 | Saturday Morning with James Martin | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2024 | Richard Osman's House of Games | Participant; 5 episodes |
| 2024 | Gary Barlow's Wine Tour: South Africa | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2024 | Mandy | Episode: "The Career Ladder" |
| 2025 | Dancing on Ice | Contestant; series 17 |
| 2025 | Ice Age: Apocalypse | Co-presenter |
| Sources: |||

## Stage

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1985—1986 | Seven Brides for Seven Brothers | Liza |
| 1986, 1991 | Cinderella | Cinderella |
| 1987, 1998 | The Wizard of Oz | Dorothy |
| 1987 | Aladdin | Aladdin |
| 1992–1993 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | Goldilocks |
| 1993–1997, 1999, 2001–2002 | Peter Pan | Peter Pan |
| Sources: |||

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Title | Details |
| Songs from Grease (with Carl Wayne) | Released: 1993 Label: Carlton Sounds Format: CD, album, stereo |

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | UK | Album |
| "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" | 1989 | 62 | Non-album singles |
| "Take Good Care of My Heart" | 1990 | 66 | Non-album singles |
| "—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released ||||