Ben Fogle has taken time away from his adventures to tam up with Typhoo to get behind the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
I caught up with him to talk about what he will be doing to celebrate the Jubilee as well as he new Atlantic challenge.
- The Queen's Jubilee is just around the corner and you are working with Typhoo on a new campaign so can you tell me a little bit about it?
I’m the new face of Typhoo and I’m really excited to be celebrating the Jubilee with them! We’ve worked with their master brewers to develop a special limited edition J’00’bilee blend that is based on the ingredients that Queen Elizabeth enjoyed when she ascended the throne in 1952.
Tea fans can by this from the Typhoo website for a limited period for 60p which I think is a nice touch.
- So how will you be celebrating the Jubilee?
I am honoured to be taking part in the Diamond Jubilee flotilla along the Thames in my 20-foot rowing boat. The energy levels will be high, partly because I’m planning to ply the crew with thermos flasks filled with Typhoo!
- People will be having street parties up and down the country so do you have any tips to make their party go with a bang?
I plan to celebrate, I’m sure like many other people around the country, by taking part in a street party in West London where I live.
My children are extremely excited. The main tip I would give is ensure the party is inclusive - invite your neighbours, your friends, and your community. It should be as patriotic and as happy as possible!
- It was revealed earlier this week that you will be swimming from the U.S. to Cornwall in your latest challenge so what made you want to do this?
It was always a dream of mine that I could never be sure was even possible. My career started on the North Atlantic, and then what with my challenged alongside James Cracknel, I almost see this as a swimming ‘back home’. It is a nice completion of a circle.
- This isn't the first extreme challenge that you have undertaken as you have rowed the Atlantic, been part of the Tour Divide race as well as trekked to the South Pole so where did you interest in this sort of thing come from?
At 19 I left school and embarked on a 9-day bike ride with friends from London to Monte Carlo.
I loved the element of physical endurance, being out with my friends, and I think I was hooked. Then I spent 4 years in Latin America which gave me a true passion for travel.
- You teamed up with James Cracknell for many of these races/challenges so how did you find being with him?
I didn’t know James before we teamed up on our first challenge and now we are the best of friends.
We came from very different backgrounds, he was a professional sportsman with gold medals and I was just a TV presenter. Once we started though it just didn’t seem to matter.
- With the swim you will be on your own how much is that something that worries you?
The difficultly will very much be that I am on my own. James helped me psychologically which is a big part of a challenge like this. The team I am going with will help me though.
- Of the previous extreme challenges that you have done which did you find the most difficult and why?
The Sahara Desert was a small challenge in comparison to the others but unbelievably tough. A big physical challenge for me.
- I was reading that you have another travel memoir set for release this year so can you tell me a little bit about that?
The 'Accidental Naturalist' is out in August. It is my second travel memoir and essentially because I’m doing these amazing things and don’t want to forget about them! It is my way of sharing.
-Finally what's next for you?
Next up is the Jubilee river pageant, and then I will be covering the Olympics for NBC Today Show in America. Although at the moment my focus is on making this the best J’00’bilee possible!
Ben Fogle is celebrating the Diamond J’00’bilee with Typhoo. For more information visit www.typhootea.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TyphooTea
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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