We last saw you on TV in 2023 – what have you been up to since that series was filmed?
I’ve been very busy! I wrote and produced my first movie, The Burn, about veteran mental health. It was filmed on an island in Scotland at a music festival and supported by the incredible charity SSAFA. I’ve written two books, Escape From Kabul: The Inside Story, and my latest book, The Great Tree Story: How Forests Have Shaped Our World, which has just been published (10 April!).
This project has taken me on a global journey over the past three years to explore the profound influence forests have had on our planet and civilisation. It’s been 10 years since Walking The Nile so we released a special edition of the book to commemorate. And, I’ve been preparing for my upcoming UK theatre tour, Walking the World: A Life of Exploration and Adventure, scheduled for May 2025. I’m going to be coming to theatres all across the country to share stories and lessons from the past 20 years of adventure – hopefully I’ll meet some of you there!
Introduce us to your new book
The Great Tree Story is the result of years spent walking through the world’s forests, from the Amazon to the Congo to the Himalayan foothills – and asking one simple question: what do trees mean to us? It’s about people – the myths, the battles, the revolutions that have happened under the branches of trees. It’s about how forests have shaped our lives, our beliefs, our history – and how we’ve shaped them in return, often with devastating consequences.
I’ve woven together stories from ancient civilisations, indigenous communities, colonial exploits, and modern-day science – plus a few scrapes from my own expeditions – to try and make sense of this deep-rooted relationship we have with trees.
Because the truth is, this isn’t just a story about trees. It’s the story of us.
Why the focus on forests in particular?
Forests have always been a part of my journeys – whether it’s navigating jungle rivers, trekking through ancient woodlands, or camping under the stars. But the more time I’ve spent in them, the more I’ve realised they’re not just scenery – they’re central characters in the story of our planet.
They’re sacred in many cultures, vital to our survival, and absolutely brimming with life and mystery. And yet, we’ve chopped them down, plundered them, and largely forgotten their value beyond timber or carbon.
This book was my way of asking: what have we lost – and what can we still learn – if we stop and really listen to the trees?