Chris Packham has axed his upcoming TV work after suffering from burnout.
Chris Packham is taking a break from TV
The 61-year-old naturalist has been a regular face on the BBC for almost 40 years and has fronted 'Springwatch' since 2009, but he is taking a break from television for the next few months so he can pursue a career as an animal sculptor.
He said: "I want to get off the treadmill, [I feel] a bit burnt out. I'm not going to buy a Ferrari and run off with a 20 year old! I've never taken three months off work. Never. I can barely sleep I am so excited. I might have to ban [partner] Charlotte from the studio.
"I don't want any interference or disruption, I want to get on with it. It will be good to clear my head and focus on something completely different."
The 'Winterwatch' star went on to add that the inspiration for his new project - which will see him create sculptures of birds, snakes and humpback whales from his home studio - came from being forced into isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic whilst working on a project abroad, and he enjoyed being locked in a hotel room for over a week.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I can't heat the studio so I will be in my Puffa jacket. I'm making a big nest of old duvets and I'm getting an electric blanket to keep them warm.
"I was locked in a hotel room because one of the team got COVID and I was in isolation for 10 days. I got up every morning and I was typing all day long and I thought, 'This is good!'."