Ben Fogle’s wild TV show to feature former Brid man’s canal life
A former Bridlington man is set to feature on a popular TV programme on Thursday, February 5.
Dave Thompson’s remarkable canal life features in the new series of Ben Fogle: New Lives in The Wild, which is aired on Channel 5.
Mr Thompson grew up in Bridlington from mid-childhood, was married there, and welcomed his first child there.
He is a former entertainer who has found solace and a renewed sense of purpose along the peaceful canal ways of Northern England.
He now lives full-time on a narrowboat along the canal network in Cheshire, on the edge of the Peak District.
The successful series follows people who have left conventional life behind to build new worlds in remote landscapes, from off-grid homes to creative communities and nature-led ways of living.
A spokesperson for the show said: “After a profound personal tragedy, Dave returned to the UK grieving and without a permanent home.
“Unable to afford traditional housing, he found a lifeline on the canals, where living afloat offered him not only a roof over his head but a slower pace of life, a close connection to nature, and a strong sense of community. What began as a practical decision became a way to rebuild his life.
“Living aboard a 17-metre narrowboat powered largely by solar energy, Dave moves every two weeks learning to manage everything himself, from engine maintenance to mooring, water, heating and power. Ben joins him as they prepare the boat and set off further down the canal
“The episode also explores the wider importance of the UK’s canal network today. Dave, ex fundraiser and champion of the Canal and River Trust, speaks to Ben about his concerns over possible funding cuts, but he’s hopeful that the Trust will be able to find support from the public.”
Episode 4 of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild will air on Thursday, February 5 at 9pm on Channel 5 and will be available on catch up.