Philippa Forrester, a familiar face on BritishTVand known for her time on the BBC's Broom Cupboard during the 90s, has traded the studio lights for environmental activism.
The former children's BBC presenter, now 57, was also known for her roles in shows like Tomorrow's World, Barking Mad, and The Heaven and Earth Show. Her stint as the captivating pit reporter on Robot Wars also captured viewers' hearts.
From series one to three, and then again in series five and six, Philippa was at the centre of the action, giving audiences a sneak peek into the mechanical mayhem, interviewing contestants, and showcasing the engineering wonders of the battle robots. After the show switched to Channel 5, Philippa stepped down from her presenting duties.
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In 2004, she married wildlife cameraman and producer Charlie Hamilton James and together, they set up Halcyon Media, a production company focusing on wildlife documentaries. Among their productions was Halcyon River Diaries, which aired on BBC One in May 2010.
The couple welcomed three children and moved to Wyoming in the USA to support Charlie's work with National Geographic. What was initially planned as a temporary move turned into a six-year stay, during which former TV star Philippa embraced life in the American wilderness.
During a difficult period for the family, their eldest son, Fred, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016. Speaking to The Telegraph, Philippa said: "His whole body went rigid. His eyes went into the back of his head, he was groaning, he smashed his head against the wall.
"I tried to hold him but I just couldn't, so my husband ran to get help. We were rushed to an emergency room."
Fortunately, Fred made a full recovery following surgery and ongoing monitoring. However, in late 2020 Philippa and James made the decision to separate, prompting her return to the UK with their three children.
She was left so heartbroken after her marriage split that she wished a bear would eat her. She said: "My return to the UK, between lockdowns, from the wilds of Wyoming was utterly dismal. I would have very much appreciated a grizzly bear incident to finish me off, but no such luck in the wilds of south Gloucestershire."
Philippa described this period as particularly demanding, as she juggled rebuilding her career while raising her children. Last year she published Wild Woman: Empowering Stories from Women Who Work in Nature, a collection celebrating conservation stories and personal journeys, while championing women fighting for environmental causes.
Her podcast Conscious also launched, highlighting people striving to create meaningful change for our planet. On the programme's website, she wrote: "I wanted to make this podcast so that we could, in the face of a tidal wave of environmental bad news, chat to the unsung heroes, normal, everyday people with one thing in common - making change happen and inspiring us in the process."
She's also partnered with Crowdfunder UK for the Podcast on Purpose series, highlighting meaningful crowdfunding campaigns and how they've made a difference to communities. Her dedication to green causes is evident across her social media channels, where she regularly shares content about electric cars, eco-friendly initiatives, and her own personal perspectives.
Her followers consistently respond with enthusiastic support in the comments. Following one particular Instagram post, fans were swift to praise her, with one writing: "A fabulous lady, who is doing great things". Another fondly recalled: "Loved you on Robot Wars!".
