Wildlife star’s Black Country date

As a presenter of some of television’s best-loved nature shows, Kate Humble has a keen eye for wildlife.

But it is a landmark hotel in the urban heart of Oldbury that sticks in her mind from her last visit to the Black Country, almost two decades ago.

She was staying at the iconic Jonathan’s off Wolverhampton Road as part of the behind-the-camera production team for a corporate video and said those sort of trips typically led the crew to faceless budget hotels.

“It was many, many years ago when I was filming in the Black Country but I remember staying in a really unusual hotel called Jonathan’s. It was the most wonderful, unlikely place to stay out of anywhere I’ve been.

“It was like a little Victorian museum. It was so unusual and compared to the sorts of places we usually stayed it was a real treat.” The Springwatch host will be returning to the Midlands on Thursday and Friday to present the stunning stage and screen show The Blue Planet Live.

The unique show at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham will feature breathtaking big screen footage from the popular Blue Planet television series, against a captivating soundtrack provided by a live orchestra.

Award-winning musician George Fenton has provided the score for the show, which will be performed by the Manchester Camerata, while Kate will be presenting the concert.

She is familiar with the city of Birmingham, having appeared in programmes such as The One Show and Countryfile when they were filmed at the BBC’s Birmingham base.

And she admits that she has been amazed at the city’s transformation in recent years, saying it has really cemented itself as the nation’s second city. “It is one of those places that has a reputation for being a bit gloomy, until you get there. The regeneration has been amazing.”

Kate insists The Blue Planet Live will be able to bring the ocean to the heart of the country.

And she called on Midlanders to do their bit to help promote the natural wildlife that can be found throughout the country.

“I’m very passionate about our marine environment and marine conservation and we have amazing things living in our seas.

“What this show does is really open up the sea. It is like the ultimate glass-bottomed boat,” she adds.

“With the canal system you have got in the Midlands that can be a real boost for the wildlife, with more birds coming back.

“If you give wildlife the opportunity it will thrive anywhere, even in the urban areas,” she adds.

For ticket information visit www.theblueplanetlive.com