Author and television presenter Desmond Morris, well known to children and adults since the 1950s, has travelled regularly with P&O Cruises since 1997. Lynsey Hoskins asks him all about his art and ambition – and about being attacked by animals
My favourite place in the world to visit is one that I haven’t been to before! I am always on the lookout for a novel experience in a culture that I have not encountered previously
During an amazing career as broadcaster, artist, author and academic, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?
I am still working at my age because I’ve always felt that I could write a better book or paint a better picture. That’s what keeps me going. I will only admit to one achievement – that is having wonderful grandchildren.
You famously presented the ITV children’s programme Zootime almost every week for over 10 years. They always say never work with children and animals – have you got any amusing anecdotes you can share?
I think people used to watch the live Zootime programmes to see which would be the next animal to attack me. During the series I was punctured by a pelican, bitten by a bushbaby, chewed by a chimp, bruised by a bear and I was even close to losing my life to a deadly scorpion.
You have been a significant contributor to the British Surrealist art movement. Are you still painting and where do you exhibit your work?
I am still painting as intensely as I did when I first started over 60 years ago. I held my first solo exhibition in England in 1948. I have had regular shows at the Mayor Gallery in London for the past 20 years and have also exhibited in New York, Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid. Although I am better known for my books and my television programmes, painting has been a lasting obsession over the years.
When your book The Naked Ape was released, it was considered to be as controversial as it was successful. Did you ever think it would have the impact that it ended up having?
No, I was astonished. I had written books about other animals, but when I wrote a book about humans as animals, people were outraged. They said it was insulting, but to me it was simply a case of elevating us to the level of the other animals that I had always respected so much.
After the success of The Naked Ape, you moved to Malta, where you wrote a sequel called The Human Zoo. Why did you choose Malta and did you enjoy living there?
My wife and I chose Malta because it has such a fascinating history, with amazing megalithic temples, wonderful architecture and charming people. We only intended to stay for a year but it stretched to six, before I became restless again.
You have been travelling with P&O Cruises for more than 10 years now – have you found that cruising has inspired you with your writing?
Yes indeed. In fact, when we first started cruising, I would send home faxes with notes on each port of call and these memoirs were later published in my book The Naked Eye: Travels In Search Of The Human Species. Ever since then, I have been recording my impressions on all the stops on our world cruises. Another volume of memoirs, called Watching: Encounters With Humans And Other Animals was published recently too.
Where would you say is your favourite place to travel in the world and what is its appeal?
My favourite place in the world to visit is one that I haven’t been to before! I am always on the lookout for a novel experience in a culture that I have not encountered previously. That, for me, is definitely the true joy of travelling.
This feature has previously been published elsewhere and all information was checked at the time of its original publication.
