Chris Packham is launching his own nature show on YouTube, which will air for two weeks after the BBC cancelled Autumnwatch.
8 Out of 10 Bats, which begins on Monday evening, is an “anarchic” DIY operation that cost just £50,000 and features a diverse roster of teenage and 20-something naturalist presenters.
The BBC's impartiality regulations heavily regulate Springwatch and Winterwatch, but Packham, an increasingly vocal environmental activist, is allowed to be as harsh as he wants on his web programme.
His YouTube account is just one of many celebrity-made websites where actors and actresses provide content for their fans on a regular, occasionally.
Which other celebrities later found success on YouTube? Here's a list of celebrities with active YouTube accounts.
Chris Packham
8 Out of 10 Bats explores environmental issues such as river pollution from sewage, demonstrations against the Rosebank oil and gas project and a battle against the damage a busway in Cambridgeshire has created.
Featuring live parts, "hilarious props", audience engagement, and the potential for controversy, the series will highlight the natural beauties of Britain through a combination of short videos produced by top wildlife cameramen.
The live show will be hosted by Packham and his stepdaughter, zoologist and Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin. Other presenters will be 18-year-old conservationist Indy Greene, Scottish marine biologist Christina Sinclair, student and wildlife gardener George Hassall, and wildlife vlogger Kwesia, also known as City Girl in Nature.
Russell Brand
Russell Brand's career transitioned from acting to activism and campaigning, which is more evident on his YouTube channel.
On YouTube, Brand primarily discusses political and psychological issues, but he also delves into other thought-provoking subjects like religion, neuroscience, and mediation.
Although the films focus on a wide range of complex subjects, they also demonstrate Brand's willingness to do so in a careful, deliberate manner. Additionally, Brand's content is dependable. He will upload multiple videos every week. He occasionally posts every day. More than two million people follow him.
Will Smith
Will Smith will create content for his fans on a monthly, sometimes even weekly basis. It could be anything from birthday celebrations that involve bungee jumping in the Grand Canyon to celebrity encounters and even a colonoscopy.
It could even be as simple as him admitting casting choices he later regretted. Though he occasionally becomes serious when talking about his hobbies and convictions, the outcomes are exuberant and humorous.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is another producer-actor who maintains a frequent online presence.
When it comes to his YouTube account, Reynolds is jovial, carefree, and forward, just like the character he plays in Deadpool. The actor is known to upload absurd, funny videos and advertisements, which simultaneously promote Reynolds's signature Aviation American Gin.
Naturally, the actor is more active on the platform whenever there is a movie to promote.
Victoria Beckham
If you loved Victoria Beckham in Netflix's latest documentary Beckham, then you can catch more of her on her YouTube channel.
Posh Spice launched her YouTube account in 2019 after revealing "it's what fans want" to British Vogue.
The account shares beauty tutorials, recent catwalks and insights into her company to keep her subscribers entertained.
Jack Black
Under the name Jablinkski Games, Jack Black creates short movies including gameplays of the newest and most popular video games. Black can interact with his fans from the comfort of his home thanks to his YouTube page, and it looks like he's really enjoying it.
In order to spend more time with his family and work on other endeavours, such as growing his YouTube channel and creating new Tenacious D music, Black said last year that he was retiring from filmmaking.
With around five million subscribers as of right now, Black is undoubtedly building a sizable following base on YouTube.
