Michael Bright

Michael Bright is a British author and television producer known for his extensive work in natural history. He has written over 125 books, including The Shark That Walks on Land, 100 Years of Wildlife and Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown. His career with the BBC's Natural History Unit spanned decades, during which he produced numerous documentaries, most notably Perfect Shark and British Isles: A Natural History with Alan Titchmarsh.

Michael Bright was born in Plymouth, Devon. As a child, he was fascinated by wildlife and studied biology at the University of London. After graduating, he joined the BBC in 1971 and began his career in the BBC Science Unit, Radio. His radio documentary Heart Attack was nominated for the prestigious Prix Italia and was featured on Science Now and Medicine Now.

"I've always believed that science should be accessible to everyone," he once said in an interview.

In the late 1970s, Bright moved to BBC television, where he contributed to well-known programmes such as Tomorrow's World and Horizon. His passion for wildlife eventually led him to the Natural History Unit in Bristol, where he became editor of Natural History Unit Radio.

During this time, he worked closely with Sir David Attenborough on the acclaimed radio series Animal Language. His radio documentary Men, Nations and Whales also won the Prix Italia, cementing his status as a respected voice in wildlife storytelling.

Moving into wildlife television, Bright co-produced the conservation series Nature and worked on popular programmes such as Wildlife on One and Natural World. His collaborations with narrators such as John Nettles and Andrew Sachs have brought many compelling wildlife stories to life. Wild Battlefields won him international acclaim, and he made an impact with his later film, The Nature of Britain, alongside Alan Titchmarsh.

The Shark that Walks on Land (2013) is one of Bright's most notable works, combining myth and marine biology. The book explores the mysteries of the deep sea, telling stories of legendary creatures such as the sea serpent and the octopus while also introducing readers to real-life wonders such as a shark that can walk on land.

In his own words, Bright said, "I wanted to demystify the ocean while celebrating its wonder. There is so much we don't know.

After a long and distinguished career with the BBC, Bright retired but continues to write extensively on natural history. Michael Bright now lives in Bristol.

Photo credit: www.michaelbright.co.uk