Renowned Winterwatch host, Chris Packham, recently shed light on his unconventional living arrangement with his partner, Charlotte Corney, despite their 17-year relationship. The 64-year-old wildlife enthusiast relocated to the New Forest in Hampshire after residing in Southampton for an extended period.
In contrast, Charlotte, the founder and trustee of the Wildheart Trust, resides and operates on the Isle of Wight. Chris expressed his deep connection to the New Forest, citing his childhood fascination with its diverse wildlife, reminiscing about his early ventures with his father to observe birds and insects.
When questioned about Charlotte’s living situation, Chris revealed that she now spends more time at his residence but maintains a separate home in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. While he values their time together, Chris emphasized his need for solitude, attributing it to his comfort and his autism.
Chris explained that his preference for living alone serves as a means of creating a space where he feels in control and at ease, even though it may not suit others. He emphasized the importance of having personal time within their relationship. Additionally, he disclosed his solo trip to Spain, highlighting differing travel preferences with Charlotte.
The couple’s relationship began in 2007 during Chris’s visit to the Isle of Wight Zoo for filming. In a rare revelation, Charlotte disclosed that Chris initially kept his autism diagnosis private, only sharing it with her years into their relationship. She acknowledged grappling with his behaviors before identifying Asperger’s Syndrome as the underlying cause, to which Chris eventually agreed.
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