Inside BBC star Simon Reeve’s life off-screen – from fertility battle to depression and photographer wife
BBC’s Simon Reeve travels all over the world for his TV work, but less is known about the trials and tribulations he faces in his personal life.
The TV star is best known for his engaging, thought-provoking, compelling documentaries.
Intrepid filmmaker and avid traveller Simon mostly keeps his personal challenges private, including his fertility battle and family life.
Many fans have watched the author and adventurer over the years and witnessed his impressive career, where he has travelled across the globe and faced his fears, but his biggest fear was closer to home as he struggled to conceive with his wife.
Simon can be found anywhere from the burning heat of the equator to the majestic arctic glaciers, and the BBC star would rise up to any challenge he faced, even if the conditions were terrifying.
However, when the cameras are off, Simon, 51, gets back to reality, and just like any other person, he has endured plenty of private heartaches, including a terrifying diagnosis that dragged him into depression when he and his wife were trying for a baby.
Depression and fertility struggles
In a piece written for The Guardian, Simon opened up about his utter devastation after doctors told him that his sperm was deformed, which meant he was ‘basically infertile’.
The TV star recalled feeling ‘dazed’ as though he’d been ‘drugged’ after doctors gave him the news that it was ‘impossible’ for him to have a baby.
He penned: “I was so disconnected I couldn’t mentally associate myself with my failure of a body. The sunny park looked like a film set with tons of people pushing prams.
“You never notice them more than when you’re desperately trying for a child. I didn’t speak to anyone about how I was feeling.
“I don’t think it was shame or embarrassment, I just didn’t recognise the importance of talking at the time. I started to drink too much.
Fortunately for Simon, his wife Anya was by his side, supporting him and helping him pull his way out of his deep depression.
Even though the doctors gave the couple news they didn’t want to hear, they did some research and sought a second opinion while searching for other ways to become parents.
After extensive research Simon decided to turn his diet around and start making positive and healthier lifestyle choices to steer him in the right direction.
The documentary maker started attending British Military Fitness classes and decided he would cut down on chocolate and wine while reducing his intake of caffeine, sugar, and salt.
During his significant change, he also opted for looser underwear and clothing.
Fortunately, the changes he made to his lifestyle were successful because when he returned to the doctors he the received good news that his sperm count had improved significantly in just under a year.
It wasn’t long after before the couple were given the green light to try IVF, and to their great joy and amazement, everything worked out on their first try.
In 2011, the delighted couple became a family of three after welcoming their miracle baby Jake into the world.
Married life
Simon has revealed before that he is happily married to the love of his life, photographer Anya, whom he met during his early thirties at a “rather glamorous party.”
Speaking to the Express, a smitten and besotted Simon admitted that before he met his wife, he had become somewhat disenchanted with the notion of love.
But after meeting Anya, he revealed everything had changed.
He recalled: “I had a proper love at first sight moment. I saw Anya across the room, and that was it – I was instantly smitten.”
The happy couple moved from London for a quieter life in the Devonshire countryside.
Simon and Anya’s relationship faced many challenges, but they stuck it through and ultimately got the beautiful family they desired.