The news that Ben Fogle was to present the latest TV show to be filmed in Shropshire, ‘Escape in Time’, came as something of a surprise not least to the production company making the series.  As one of their Assistants explained Lion TV are always saying that Ben Fogle is going to present this or that for us, but it¹s been ten years since we produced Castaway in which he co-starred.

My husband’s family estate of Acton Scott has become something of a film set in recent years. Most notable is ‘Victorian Farm’, its run away ratings led to the production of a 2009 Christmas sequel.  The man behind the series, Lion TV’s David Upshal, also persuaded BBC2 to commission Escape in Time on the back of its success.  It depicts how everyday families rediscover the practical skills of our forebears, a sort of ‘Generation Game meets the Good Life,’ say the producers.

So far, so good - but doesn’t this sound suspiciously like reality TV?  Ben Fogle says he owes everything to the ‘Castaway’ series which involved 30 unknown recruits being marooned for a year on the remote Hebridean island of Taransay.  Filmed over a decade ago, before the reality genre became the Frankenstein it is today, Ben says he expects Escape in Time to be cast in a similar positive vein to the show that made him famous.

The son of actress Julia Foster and broadcast vet Bruce Fogle, Ben was brought up in London and educated in the West Country. In his 20s, he wasn’t entirely sure what his vocation might be and then along came Castaway.

“I didn’t do it because I wanted to become famous or had any specific end game. In fact, I think a lot of people thought that after the series had ended I’d had my 15 minutes of fame.  But without any real planning, I’m still here 10 years later, broadcasting and writing. I certainly won’t take anything that I’m offered, just to keep it that way!”

We’re sitting on an upturned log at Acton Scott, during a break from filming, with Ben’s beloved Labrador, Inca, at our feet.  Tanned and very blond after a holiday in Austria followed by working outside for a month in Shropshire, during an unusually fine Autumn, Ben goes on to explain why he took this job.

“I jumped at the chance to do it.  It doesn¹t set out to show the worst in people, which reality TV too often does.  Instead, the producers depict the best in the families and how they cope with hardships.”

He has an open and confident personality, there’s lots of head nodding with stories tumbling out at speed.  Ben’s also earnest, thoughtful, tenacious and driven.  The ‘Mr Nice Guy’ label is too simplistic a description.  None of this should really be surprising given the exploits for which he is best known.

Ben’s rowed across the Atlantic and raced to the South Pole on a seven week skiing trip, with the Olympic Gold medalist, James Cracknell - amongst many other dare devil adventures. He’s also seen off a flesh eating disease picked up in the jungles of Peru. He’s fronted numerous television shows and is a prolific writer and speaker.  Is he a workaholic? “No, I just like to fit a lot in!”

So what next for Ben Fogle and James Cracknell?  “The rowing challenge represented a huge change in career direction which I had great pride in achieving. We’ve done water and we’ve done snow, we¹d like to do something else next, perhaps mountains, I¹m certainly not returning to the jungle!”

The following evening, we meet the production crew for leaving drinks at our local pub. Ben asks if GMTV can film a live interview from Acton Scott at the crack of dawn and we discuss possible venues. It¹s to promote another expedition involving Cracknell and has a serious purpose.  They are cycling 450 miles, non-stop on a rickshaw from Edinburgh to London, beginning just hours after filming ends at Acton Scott. It¹s in aid of SSAFA, which looks after injured service personnel and their families.

Does nothing daunt Ben and when does he have time to see his wife?  “Marina and I see each other on the weekends and it’s like being on a date, we have lots to talk about and we love being in each other’s company and there’s nothing better than walking the dogs, enjoying good food and wine and catching up with each other’s news. This may not suit everyone but for us it’s perfect.”

“A major part of my focus next year will be family as we are about to have our first child, due in December.  Marina thinks it’s a boy and we have some names in mind, but will wait until the moment arrives to make that decision. We are both one of three and certainly hope to have more, but one step at a time.”

The camera loves Ben, he’s comfortable in front of it and as a result he has broad popular appeal. “I just want you to know I LOVE Ben Fogle!” A girlfriend emailed me.  The men, on the other hand, admire his gritty adventures and wonder at the odd show of emotion.  He seems very good with children, or is getting in some practice.  When we walk through Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, he happily stops for pictures and autographs and gets down on his knees to encourage the children to pat Inca.

Agreeing he’s had a pretty positive time in the public eye, Ben points out he’s also had his share of negative publicity.  “I have a thick skin, which is why I cope with it all.” Then we take a surprise turn of conversation. Where might that thick skin come in handy in the future? Perhaps politics, I venture, only half serious.

“Yes, maybe one day, if all this comes to an end, I might do just that.” Ben warms to the subject before adding “but I¹m not sure Marina would be pleased with the idea and I don’t know if I could put her through the prospect of being a politician’s wife!” Diplomatically, he doesn’t nail his political colours to one particular mast. “I think I’d be better off as an independent, fighting a single issue in the guise of Martin Bell.”  What of Ben Fogle MP then?  Now that’s food for thought.
BBC TV’s ‘Victorian Farm Christmas’ on air December 2009 and BBC2’s Escape in Time is due to transmit in early 2010.

To make a donation to SSAFA, which looks after injured personnel and their families, see http://www.rideofbritain.org.uk/ or http://www.benfogle.com/