BBC’s beloved Countryfile presenter Sammi Kinghorn made a poignant and unexpected confession in the latest episode aired on Sunday evening (1 March). As the salmon-fishing season launched on the River Tweed, Sammi and fellow presenter Matt Baker explored the final preparations before the first cast of the year.
The episode showcased the heritage of salmon fishing along the river—from boatmen returning from their winter hiatus to craftsmen meticulously creating fishing rods and traditional tweed in the background. For Sammi, the location struck a personal chord, as she was raised nearby and holds deep affection for the landscape.
“It’s very close to my heart. I was brought up really close to here,” she said. Matt Baker responded, “Honestly you are so fortunate to have grown up with a landscape like this!”
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Yet, Sammi candidly revealed, “I’m ashamed to admit that, even though I’m a local and I know about these rivers, I know very little about fishing and even less about how to make a fishing rod.”
Determined to learn, Sammi visited Neil Fox, a dedicated fly fisherman and rod maker, at his historic tweed mill by the river. Under Neil’s expert guidance, she tried crafting her own fishing rod, immersing herself in the craft and tradition.
Sammi Kinghorn joined the Countryfile presenting team in 2023 and quickly endeared herself to viewers across the nation. Beyond her TV career, Sammi is a world champion wheelchair racer who grew up on a Scottish farm with her parents, Neil and Elaine, and her sibling.
Her upbringing holds cherished memories, but she has also been open about a life-changing accident at age 14. Without her father Neil’s knowledge, she climbed onto equipment, only to be caught beneath a forklift bucket he was operating to move snow. The terrifying moment left her with severe spinal injuries.
In a 2023 interview with the Daily Mail, Sammi described the frightening experience: she initially thought her father was joking when she felt pressure on her neck. Soon, she was screaming as her spine “started popping” and her head was forced down unnaturally. She was trapped in a “tiny ball” and lost all sensation in her legs, with the leg twitching she experienced then being the last feeling she ever had.
Sammi’s honest reflections on her personal challenges and her journey on Countryfile continue to inspire many, highlighting her resilience and genuine connection to the British countryside.