Chris Packham reveals he keeps dead poodle in the freezer because of his Asperger’s

By Mail Online Reporter

Published: 12:12 GMT, 5 April 2017 | Updated: 08:15 GMT, 6 April 2017

He was bereft after the death of his beloved dog Itchy just before Christmas.

And Chris Packham has discussed his struggle to deal with the poodle's passing, revealing he keeps the pooch in a freezer in a barn in the grounds of his cottage in the New Forest. 

The wildlife presenter's Asperger's Syndrome makes it particularly difficult for him to deal with death, with the condition meaning Chris has a closer bond with animals than humans - including his partner Charlotte Corney. 

Sad: Chris Packham with his poodles Itchy and Scratchy says his Asperger's Syndrome makes it harder to deal with his dog's death with late pooch Itchy currently kept in the freezer 

Sad: Chris Packham with his poodles Itchy and Scratchy says his Asperger's Syndrome makes it harder to deal with his dog's death with late pooch Itchy currently kept in the freezer 

'She knows by bond with dogs is deeper and stronger than with her, but it doesn't undermine what we have,' he says in a new interview with The Mirror. 

'I am very lucky that Charlotte understands my autistic condition.'   

Itchy's brother Scratchy is still alive, but Chris is already mentally preparing for the 'dark place' he knows he will go to when he passes away.

'When Scratchy dies, no human being will fill that vacuum,' he told the newspaper. 'No-one will reach me in that dark place I need to go.'

Beloved: The Springwatch star, 55, said he owes a huge debt to his dogs, who he credits with keeping him going when he once felt suicidal

Beloved: The Springwatch star, 55, said he owes a huge debt to his dogs, who he credits with keeping him going when he once felt suicidal

Springwatch star Chris, 44, plans to cremate Itchy and hopes to have his ashes eventually mixed with his dogs. 

‘Someone will have the job of mixing us together and scattering us underneath our favourite tree where we used to sit,' he told the Daily Mail last month.

The Springwatch star, 55, said he owes a huge debt to his dogs, who he credits with keeping him going when he once felt suicidal. 

Packham, right, with fellow Winterwatch presenters Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games

Packham, right, with fellow Winterwatch presenters Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games

The popular TV host revealed last year that his beloved dogs saved him from taking his own life. He has suffered from depression and admitted how close he came to committing suicide.

‘The boys loved me so I couldn’t do it. They kept me alive. I owe them my life. I always will,’ he wrote in his memoir, Fingers In The Sparkle Jar.

In the book, he also revealed his life-long battle with Asperger’s Syndrome. He realised he had form of autism in 1995 at the age of 34.

Chris is currently working on an hour-long documentary about autism with his partner, with Chris's fashion designer sister Jenny also contributing to the film.  

The Springwatch star said he would like his ashes mingled with those of his dogs

The Springwatch star said he would like his ashes mingled with those of his dogs