Chris Packham: 'I loathed myself and thought I was broken before autism diagnosis'

Chris Packham has said he "loathed himself" and thought he was "broken" as a teenager before he understood he had autism. The Springwatch presenter, 62, was only diagnosed at the age of 44 after he dated a healthcare professional, and said he struggled in his teens to understand why he was different.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain : "I grew up in the Sixties and Seventies when the condition wasn't widely known, certainly by my parents and teachers. So by the time I'd got to the beginning of my teens, and certainly into the early part of my 20s, my mental health issues were quite considerable."

"I loathed myself, I thought that I was broken. Clearly, I was in a lesser cohort than most other people, so I blamed myself for everything that was going wrong."

READ MORE: Mum of autistic Hounslow boy says he's 'in limbo' as 'inadequate council support has left him with no school'

Speaking about the currently lengthy waiting times young people are facing to get an autism diagnosis, he said: "Young people can't be in that position, if they're going to work through education and find a fulfilling life, we need to put them on a firm foundation of confidence and support, and the diagnosis should be an access to that type of support."

"So it's not just about getting the diagnosis, it is about what follows from that."

Packham said that even though he was an adult when he got diagnosed, with Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder which can have an impact on social interaction, it still had a positive effect on his life.

He said: "I know a few people now that I knew when I was diagnosed, and they say that it's quite considerably changed me, I'm much more confident to talk about my needs, my incapacities, and the things that I can do better."

Try MyLondon Premium for FREE without ads and brilliant new features

No adverts or pop-ups! Just our brilliant MyLondon stories, breaking news and features presented in the best way possible.

Get your free one-month trial by visiting the 'Premium' tab on the MyLondon app now (auto renews annually at £19.99).

If you haven't got the app already, get started by downloading it here on iPhone or here on Android. If you already have the app but can't see the 'Premium' section, you'll need to check for the latest update. More info here.

"I will put myself forward if there's something which I am enabled to do by the condition. And I will be far more frank and honest about the disabling aspects of it, from my point of view."

"So there are certain things where they will be so challenging that I would rather not confront them."

"And if that's in a professional context, I would say 'You know what, I'd rather not do that, because it won't be good for me, it won't be good for you, it won't be good for us'."

He continued: "This week is World Autism Acceptance Week, and what we're trying to do is say that we wanted to develop a society where all autistic people can prosper. And that will only come if society understands what autism is about. And that's why we have these sorts of conversations."

"I was given my diagnosis when I was 44 years old. So I was a functional adult by that stage, I'd come to terms with some of the conditions I'd learned to manage myself, I was working, not everything was bad."

"For young people at the most vulnerable and formative parts of their lives, the difference between a diagnosis age nine and a diagnosis at age 12, 13, 14 is significant, because in that interim period they will not be getting a fulfilled education, they will not be getting the social support that they need."

Packham has previously presented documentaries about autism, including Asperger's And Me, about his own experiences, and Inside Our Autistic Minds, in which he worked with autistic people at key points in their lives, observing and learning about the ways they sense and interact with the world.

Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

'I managed Tinie Tempah and Jessie J, now I'm creating the first Black British-owned sparkling wine brand'

As Tinie Tempah rapped in his 2010 number one hit Pass Out 'Disturbing London, baby, we about to branch out', his cousin - and former manager - Dumi Obruta is truly branching out as by creating the first Black British-owned and Black British-funded sparkling wine brand named Severun.

While still being in its infancy, having been set up in 2023, it is already featured on the wine lists of leading bars and restaurants across the capital including The Conduit, The Standard and 67 Pall Mall. The company is Dumi's vision to make luxury accessible to those who are underrepresented in the culture and with him on the way is CEO of Severun, Dan Perry.

They see themselves as industry changemakers, coming to disturb the status quo of British Sparkling Wine all doing it while championing diversity. Dan said: "We wanted to create an all-black-owned sparkling wine business in the UK that really represents the dynamism and excitement around cities like London.

READ MORE: 'As a kid I used to cut my own hair and couldn't afford a barber - now my clients are Stormzy, J Cole and Anthony Joshua'

Dumi and Dan are looking to have a big year with Severun as they project making ten times the sales they did last year in 2024 (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)

"Dumi's plugged into the culture in the UK and worldwide....and what we noticed was that English sparkling wine, whilst its booming and been doing really well, the imagery of it and what we think of as the typical English sparkling wine drinker because of imagery, is linen, picnic baskets, green rolling country hills, Labradors, it's not London."

This is part of Severun's aim, to bring this brand and culture of luxury into London and change the narrative and imagery around it. Dumi said: "It's always been about opening the doors for people that look like us from cosmopolitan places where we come from. And it's aspirational, it's always been about inspiring and doing things that people feel we can't do.

"Understanding that brands and luxury goods change the perception of how we're seen and what people aspire to be. I realise the power of brands and that was what made me want to do Severun because over the years I've been working with these luxury brands and they've always used the culture as a catalyst to get into things or launch things.

"A majority of the time we don't have any real equity stake in the business in that sense. We're not actually behind the lens and we're not in front of the lens in an authentic way."

Severun has diversity throughout all levels of the business and management (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)

Severun has a sustainable supply chain with Chardonnay grapes grown in Franschhoek, South Africa and the wine being produced in Hampshire. It has proved a hit so far. The black and gold bottle - sold at £46 - stands out on a shelf and oozes luxury. Severun are also adding new sizes to the brand plus a Rosé to come out later in the year.

Dan explains that this year they have a soft launch in Ghana before spreading to Nigeria, the UAE and other places. The bottle will also be sold on Amazon and they are set to make ten times the sales in 2024 than they did in 2023. The outlook looks bright for the fresh business.

'We don't want to be pigeonholed as the black-owned wine company forever'

The business not only has a majority of black funders but also many of the staff are from a diverse range of cultures and ethnicities. This was part of their hiring strategy, to make sure that they have a more diverse range of people in roles in the company. Dan said: "A key consideration is going out and making sure we are giving young people the opportunities to come in and do something that perhaps wouldn't be accessible to them before."

But Dumi and Dan don't want themselves to be pigeonholed as the black-owned wine company forever. Dumi said: "The black-owned thing is very important and it's the foundation of the business. But that's because the majority of businesses in the world are white-owned.

"Having to say it's a black-owned business, it's just, you know, putting out his statement because this statement is very rare. But we would like to get to a point where you don't have to say something about being a black-owned business because it should be normal that other people of different races should be able to own businesses and sell their products to the mass market just the same way."

Dumi hopes to make luxury more accessible to all people (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)

The drink is there to represent inspiration and a big disruptor to the market. Dumi points out that currently, non-English diasporas are really succeeding a really succeeding at the moment in culinary circles and pop culture to name a few. The popularisation of non-white culture in new ventures has seen the growth of more people of colour exploring the vast array of options that they did not know were accessible to them.

Dumi wants to inspire the same through luxury brands. "Let's make our kids or the people around us feel more accepted in certain environments, luxury doesn't have to be white-washed," he said.

You can purchase a bottle and read more about Severun on their website HERE.

Get the biggest stories from around London straight to your inbox. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Hanworth man fighting for his life after suffering head injuries in 'serious assault'

A man in his 50s is fighting for his life in hospital after sustaining head injuries during a 'serious assault' in West London. A resident contacted MyLondon to report there were 'police and forensics everywhere' in Saxon Avenue, in Hanworth, at the junction of Watermill Way and Basson Grove. They added that roads were cordoned off with tape, and that they were told there was a 'serious assault'.

Now, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service said: "Police were called shortly after 8am on Saturday, March 30, to a man in his 50s who had been taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service suffering head injuries. Officers established that the man had sustained the injuries at an address in the Hanworth area of Feltham.

READ MORE: Boy, 15, rushed to hospital after Chiswick stabbing as attacker on loose

Forensics investigators were seen at the scene (Image: User submission)

"He remains in hospital in a critical condition. His family have been informed. Detectives from West Area CID are investigating. There has been no arrest at this early stage. Anyone with information that may assist police can call 101 and quote CAD 1641/30mar."

It comes after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed in a different incident elsewhere in West London. The Met was called to Great Chertsey Road in Chiswick on Friday evening (March 29).

The boy was taken to hospital after officers found him injured. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening nor life-changing.

Our London Court & Crime newsletter brings you the latest major court updates and breaking news straight to your inbox. You can sign up HERE.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Londoner charged after 62kilos of cocaine worth £6million found in Essex van

A London man has been charged after police found £6million worth of cocaine in a van. The bust was made by Essex Police on Monday (March 25).

They recovered 62 kilos of the drug. Nadim Aitchegou, 21, of London, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine, a class A drug.

Miroslaw Perka, 33, of no-fixed-abode, has been charged with being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class A drug. Aitchegou and Perka appeared at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Wednesday (March 27) and have been remanded in custody ahead of their next appearance at Stafford Crown Court on April 26.

READ MORE: Missing boy Daniel Alaby, 5, dies in hospital after being rescued from the River Thames

The seized drugs are believed to have a street value of £6 million (Image: Getty)

Elsewhere in the capital, police are searching for a man after two teenage girls were sexually assaulted on the escalators of a Tube station. Both incidents happened at around 5pm last Friday (March 22) at North Greenwich station as both girls felt 'something wet' on them that is believed to be bodily fluid from the man stood behind them on the escalators.

A teenage girl was stood on the escalator leaving the station when she felt something wet on her leg. When she inspected it, on closer look it appeared to be body fluid from the man who was standing behind her. The second incident also happened around the same time at North Greenwich station, she was on the escalator when she felt something wet hit her back and bottom, the man then sexually assaulted her.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 574 of 22 March. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Got a story? Please get in touch at rafi.benady@reachplc.com

Our London Court & Crime newsletter brings you the latest major court updates and breaking news straight to your inbox. You can sign up HERE.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Killers who stabbed man in heart after argument over booze outside Hounslow shop to spend 38-years in prison

Two killers who stabbed a man in the heart in an argument over booze outside a shop in Hounslow have been sentenced. Arpith Mandava died after being stabbed following an argument involving two groups of men in the early hours of October 14 2022.

An investigation was launched after Arpith was found seriously injured in Beavers Lane at around 12.40am. A short time earlier he had been stabbed in the heart and his left arm in Earl Haig Close He was taken to hospital where he sadly died on October 27 2022.

Detectives recovered CCTV from 71 cameras to establish the circumstances that resulted in him being attacked. They found that Arpith came to the area with friends to purchase alcohol. Two of his group had gone to a shop in Cavendish Parade to buy alcohol shortly after midnight.

READ MORE: Urgent hunt for unknown man after two women raped by attacker who targets lone women

Arpith's attackers tried to take his alcohol (Image: Met Police)

After leaving the shop, they walked past Arpith’s attackers, who took the alcohol from them. Arpith and his friends came to their aid and the two groups started arguing, this escalated into a disturbance however Arpith and his friends ultimately walked away.

Footage then showed Ivanov asking Kusins for a knife which he used to attack the pair. The defendants were then seen leaving the area in separate directions.

Ivanov was caught on CCTV attempting to enter a nearby petrol garage on Burns Way. He was seen putting his hand against the glass door and forensic scientists found his handprint on the glass.

On October  16 Ivanov then left the UK by Eurostar and travelled to Paris. He was arrested in France on 25 October and brought back to London. Kusins, who gave Ivanov the knife, was arrested on 22 October.

The two killers appeared at Kingston Crown Court on March 27 where Denis Ivanov was found guilty of murdering the 24-year-old and stabbing another man who was also injured in the attack and possession of an offensive weapon. A second man, Denis Kusins, was found guilty of manslaughter, actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

Denis Ivanov was found guilty of murdering the 24-year-old and stabbing another man (Image: Met Police)

Detective Inspector Kevin Martin, who led the investigation, said: "This was a callous attack that resulted in the death of a young man who had simply gone with friends to buy alcohol. What started out as a minor disagreement quickly escalated into violence.

"While Ivanov carried out the attack, both men were responsible for Arpith's murder and they will now face the consequences of their actions. They could have done the right thing and walked away.

"We will continue to do all we can to tackle violence on the streets of London and hold to account those who carry out such awful crimes."

The conviction details are as follows:

Denis Ivanov 23, of Brabazon Road, Hounslow, was found guilty of murder, grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 26 years.

Denis Kusins 22, of no fixed address, was found guilty of manslaughter, actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Got a story? Please get in touch at rafi.benady@reachplc.com

Our London Court & Crime newsletter brings you the latest major court updates and breaking news straight to your inbox. You can sign up HERE.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Live Purley station updates as Croydon police incident cancels all trains

A police incident at a South London station has seen all trains cancelled. No services are currently calling at Purley station as the force deal with the incident.

Southern Rail have posted an update on X saying: "Due to police dealing with an incident, services are not currently able to call at Purley station until further notice. We are currently working to arrange ticket acceptance to help assist with your journey this morning."

The train operator have confirmed that you can use your tickets to/from Purley on Southern or Thameslink services on any reasonable route. You can also use London buses on routes between Redhill, Caterham, or Chipstead and East Croydon via Purley and Metro bus routes between Redhill and Caterham, and also between Redhill and Sutton via Tattenham Corner.

They warn that this may add 20 minutes to your journey. MyLondon have contacted British Transport Police and the Met for further information.

This is a live news story, follow below for updates.

Any images or information? Email olivia.beeson@reachplc.com

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Thorpe Park and London Eye owner 'to charge more' on sunny days

Families planning a day out at major attractions like Thorpe Park and Legoland might have to pay more on certain days of the year. The owner of these attractions, which also includes the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, says it is introducing "dynamic pricing".

This means that people will have to pay more on sunny days. Merlin Entertainments, the company behind these attractions, said this new pricing strategy would help makeup for the drop in visitors since the pandemic started. About 20 of its global venues will see these changes this year, but it is not known which ones will be included.

Merlin already uses off-peak and peak-time pricing. This allows them to change prices based on how busy they expect to be at different times of the year. But now, they're going to use machine learning to make their ticket pricing even more flexible and detailed.

READ MORE:Controversial way of getting around London is 'what gondolas are to Venice'

For example, if a sunny Saturday during the summer holidays turns out to be less busy than expected, the company could decide to lower ticket prices on the day. Merlin the pricing structure would help make sure the park isn't too crowded during peak times.

The company mentioned that "these changes enable greater flexibility for guests booking online to choose discounted prices for select dates and times". Scott O'Neil, the group's chief executive, explained that this approach allows them to adjust prices depending on the season and manage visitor numbers.

The London Eye is owned by Merlin Entertainments, but it is not clear whether it will be included in the "dynamic pricing" structure (Image: Getty)

He added: "We had it in 2023 and we had the highest guest satisfaction scores in the history of the company, and seven million additional guests." But not everyone is happy with the "dynamic pricing" model, like the ones Uber and some restaurants use, with complaints that it is not always clear why prices go up at certain times.

Mr O'Neil said that "dynamic" pricing is good for making sure visits are enjoyable even when it's really busy, by helping to control long lines at popular spots. He also said that offering cheaper tickets when it's less busy, like a rainy weekend in March, means more people can come. Mr O'Neil compared it to "happy hours" in pubs or how hotels and planes change their prices.

"It is not a new concept, but our focus is on two things that matter most; the guest experience and making sure that we are accessible and value-based for families," he added.

Get the most exciting London events and new bars and restaurants sent straight to your phone

You can sign up to get the most exciting events to the new bars and restaurants in London sent straight to your WhatsApp from the MyLondon team.

To sign up, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

Merlin revealed its sales soared to a record high last year as more visitors flocked to city-centre attractions. Total revenues jumped by 8% to £2.1 billion in 2023, compared with the previous year, and it had 62 million total visitors across the globe.

About a quarter of all tourists to London visited one of its attractions last year, and 40% of those visited more than one, according to the company. However, Merlin revealed it swung to a pre-tax loss of £214 million last year, from a profit of £106 million the previous year, which the company said was due to one-off costs including refinancing some of its debts.

The group said it had agreed to buy Orlando Wheel at Icon Park, the tallest ferris wheel on the US east coast, which will strengthen its presence in a top global tourist hub. Mr O'Neil also said it was expecting a boost from a new rollercoaster opening in May at Thorpe Park, named Hyperia, which will be its tallest and fastest ride.

Stay up to date with London's most exciting events, newest restaurants and latest deals with our What's On newsletter, Going Out Out. You can sign up HERE.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)