How Steve Backshall Accidentally Became a Role Model for Dads Everywhere 🐍

He set out to chase adventure, not to become a parenting icon. But somewhere between the Komodo dragons and the school gates, Steve Backshall became one of the most relatable dads on TV.

In this episode of The Dadsnet Podcast, Steve Backshall opens up about the unexpected side of his career—not the wildlife, not the expeditions, but the growing chorus of parents thanking him for inspiring their children. And it all started with a simple goal: see cool animals and have big adventures.

“I didn’t do this to help people,” Steve admits. “I did it because I wanted to see awesome animals. That was it.”

But what began as a passion project—Deadly 60—soon became something much bigger.

From selfish motives to something selfless

When the show first aired in 2007, Steve had no idea he was creating one of the most impactful educational shows for kids (and their parents). And after a few years of live touring, something unexpected happened.

“I started meeting kids who’d seen an animal on the show and then gone out and found it,” Steve says. “Others got into conservation because of something they heard me say. That’s when it hit me.”

Suddenly, it wasn’t just about adrenaline anymore. It was about impact.

And Steve, who never planned to be a children’s presenter—or a parenting resource—realised his adventures had a ripple effect. Not just on the kids watching, but on the dads sitting beside them on the sofa.

A family connection that goes beyond the screen

What makes Deadly 60 special isn’t just the jaw-dropping wildlife or the daring adventures—it’s that it became something dads and kids could enjoy together.

“It’s one of the few shows we both love watching,” host Al Ferguson says. “It became a shared thing in our house.”

And Steve knows it. It’s why he keeps going. Why he keeps making shows, doing live events, and writing books—so families can keep exploring the world together.

Takeaway for Dads

• You don’t have to be a wildlife expert to inspire your kids—you just have to show up and be curious.

• Shared passions build strong bonds—find the stuff you both love, and dive into it together.

• Sometimes, the best role models never set out to be one.

Want the full story?

Steve talks more about the evolution of Deadly 60, why “authenticity” is at the heart of everything he does, and how he balances global adventures with local parenting chaos.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Dadsnet Podcast with Steve Backshall here