WILDLIFE presenter, adventurer, naturalist and author Steve Backshall is looking forward to answering 'bonkers' questions from his St Helens audience later this month.

Daredevil Steve - who describes humans as "easily the most deadly animal" - will be sharing stories from his intrepid expeditions as part of his nationwide 'Wild World' tour at the Theatre Royal on October 28.

Ahead of the show, billed as suitable for people aged between eight and 80, Steve, who is celebrating one month of marriage to Olympic rower Helen Glover, spoke to the St Helens Star.

The 43-year-old presenter of BBC's 'Deadly 60' and 'Steve Backshall’s Extreme Mountain Adventure' said he is looking forward to meeting the audience.

He said: "The great thing about doing these tours is that you get to interact with the audience and hear their questions about wildlife - some of which are just plain bonkers!"

He added: "I'm bringing a big screen and oodles of footage from the very best of the wild world; epic expeditions, close calls, out-takes and bloopers, and wondrous wildlife moments."

Self-confessed workaholic Steve says he initially completed an English and theatre degree, before going on to study biology.

Currently taking a Masters in bioscience, Steve advised budding adventurers to work hard: "Just believe, and be prepared to work your guts out! I am no better a naturalist than many of my peers, the difference is that I am a workaholic!"

As well as the strong work ethic, he says he has always had a reckless streak: "When I was a kid I was a daredevil, thoroughly reckless with little sense of my own mortality! Now I do far more dangerous things, but hopefully with the knowledge and experience to make them safe.

"Diving alongside a great white shark in blue water can be safer than crossing the road if you know what you're doing!"

However, he says, he has found himself in some perilous situations.

In BBC Two's Extreme Mountain Adventure, Steve embarked on one of his most dangerous expeditions to date - attempting the first ascent of Venezuela’s sheer-sided Tepuis mountains in search of wildlife on the summit.

He described this as one of the scariest things he has done, adding: "There was loads of loose rock under foot, some dislodged on my climbing pals and thought I might have killed someone through my own clumsiness."

Steve, whose to-do list includes diving with orcas and seeing giant squid and snow leopards, says his worst job was working for the RSPCA and "cleaning out the poo from dog cages!"

He loves the busyness and excitement of his life but has a couple of down-to-earth goals, including having children - he's "hoping to work on it" - and getting a pet dog.

The Wild World show accompanies the release of Steve's novel 'Shark Seas' - the fourth book in the Falcon Chronicles series of children's novels. It will be available to purchase at the Theatre Royal.

The show starts at 7pm on Friday, October 28.

Tickets costing from £15.50 to £19.50 are available by calling 756000, visiting sthelenstheatreroyal.com and calling to the box office in Corporation Street.