TV presenter Chris Packham, who is known for presenting the BBC show Springwatch, has recently released a very moving documentary about autism. The documentary, Inside Our Autistic Minds, moved many viewers and Chris himself to tears when he met Radio 2 DJ, Ken Bruce's autistic son Murray.
In the two-part series Chris, who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in 2015, meets other autistic people and helps them create short films to reveal to their family and friends what’s really going on inside their minds. The first episode saw Chris meet radio legend Ken Bruce's son Murray, who had no real form of communication until he was nine years old. The 20-year-old, who lives in Oxfordshire, communicates by typing on a tablet.
Talking on Ken's BBC Two radio show today, February 17, Chris shared how he and Murray had an amazing moment after the documentary was filmed. To thank Chris for his help sharing his story Murray simply gave Chris the biggest hug, which Chris described as amazing.
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Chris said: "I went up and said Murray thanks ever so much, that was absolutely brilliant and I hope you enjoyed and I hope we have done our best to represent what you wanted us to do and achieve with your film and he just gave me the biggest cuddle."
He added: "We'd shaken hands a couple of times, it was a bit uncomfortable, but he just put his arms around me and the two of us stood in the car park and just held this embrace for about a minute. That was amazing, absolutely amazing, I just felt good."
Ken said that Murray's reaction proves that Chris has done "a good job" telling Murrays story. Chris has also posted a video to his Instagram thanking fans for their support, saying he feels his "job is done" after many viewers connected with the documentary. He said: "Thank you. Thank you very much indeed. For me and on behalf of the entire team for all of the very kind messages."
He added: "Our mission was to reach out to and on behalf of the community that sometimes don't get the help that they need and to read some of the comments that you have posted has been heartening. I said in the programme if I could just change one person's life positively then my job will be done and it appears that we have achieved that."
Also in the video Chris dispelled rumours that he was burnt out. He said for the past couple of months he had been on a sculpture course, something he has always wanted to do, as there was a gap in his schedule. You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.
He reassured his followers that he would be back for Springwatch in May 2023, which he is looking forward to filming. Chris was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome whilst he was in his 20s. The 61-year-old previously told the BBC that he was "lucky to get through that period of [his] life".
During his 2017 documentary, Asperger's and Me, Chris said: “I’m not a typical autistic person because there is no typical autistic person." He added that he experiences the world "differently" from others due to his condition.
Inside Our Autistic Minds continues to air on Tuesday, February 21, at 9pm on BBC Two.
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