BBC presenter Chris Packham was left tearful as he learned of Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce’s autistic son’s crippling loneliness.
The Countryfile presenter is fronting a new BBC Two documentary, Inside Our Autistic Minds, which showcases the stories of autistic people, helping them to create short films to reveal to their families and friends their inner struggles and experiences with the condition.
Packham, who is best-known for fronting the BBC’s popular Autumnwatch, was diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2015 and has found purpose giving people who have the condition a voice.
In Tuesday night’s episode, the 61-year-old met with veteran broadcaster Ken Bruce and his 20-year-old autistic son Murray, who is non-verbal.
Murray communicates by typing on a tablet which then broadcasts his words and thoughts.
In a particularly poignant moment, Packham was left overcome with emotion as he read out one of Murray’s emails, which described the loneliness he often feels due to his condition.
It began: “Really listen to me and take note as I am speaking from my heart. I plead with you to please understand and open your minds.
“Let me tell you what it was like for me before I could communicate through typing…I was alone in my world of deep and troubled pining for a person to hear me.”
He added: “I would wonder if that day would ever come. I was frustrated and pining for acknowledgment, but I had thoughts and opinions and worries, but no-one could hear me.”
Packham then started to choke up and said it was all “enough to bring a tear to your eye”.
The presenter continued: “I don’t know whether it’s because I have some form of affinity for Murray, but I find that incredibly touching and a bit sentimental. I’m not normally sentimental about such things.”
Viewers were left equally emotional by Murray’s words, and Chris’s reaction, as well as the stories of other people showcased on the episode.
One penned on Twitter: “I have no voice but yearn to say so much - Very moved by Murray Bruce’s plea to hear the words of those non-verbal people with autism.”
“An absolute must watch for everyone to understand #autism So very powerful & brave of Flo & Murray & all participants Well done Chris Packham,” another tweeted.
A third added: “Chris Packham is such a kind and gentle soul seeing him with Murray was so heartwarming”.
