Ben Fogle reveals he originally wanted to name his son, 11, PENGUIN

Ben Fogle has revealed he originally wanted to call his 11-year-old son ‘penguin’.

During an interview on Monday’s Lorraine, the broadcaster, 46, admitted he was drawn to the name due to his love for the animal, but was stopped in his tracks by his wife Marina.

The adventurer, who also shares daughter Iona, nine, with the businesswoman, said: ‘I thought he could be nicknamed Pen but my wife didn’t really agree. And I think my son is grateful in the end.’

Former Countryfile star Ben sat in front of his colour-coded bookshelf as he went on to share why he was left ‘horrified’ during a trip to the Falkland Islands.

The Crufts presenter said: ‘My firstborn Ludo, I really wanted to call him penguin. I love penguins.

‘The first time I went the the Falklands island, and they asked if I wanted a penguin with my cuppa and I was horrified. I thought they genuinely were going to give me some penguin.’ 

Marina suffered a stillborn birth at 32 weeks and almost died herself back in 2014. The couple have detailed how the loss of their baby boy Willem affected their mental health in the past. 

During the nationwide lockdown, the pair took an interesting approach to homeschooling while the children were out of lessons.

The TV star, who jokingly dubs himself ‘Mr Bushcraft’, has been teaching his children how to whittle wood and spot wildlife.  

Speaking to the Sunday Times magazine, the media personality, who failed his A-levels, said he’s left ‘traditional’ topics such as math and science to his wife Marina.  

‘I teach how to whittle wood and make camps. I do the school of bushcraft, and Marina does the school of traditional topics.’ 

Ben, who rose to fame in by appearing in the reality show Castaway, had been putting his knowledge of the wild to good use while looking after the kids during the coronavirus pandemic.

‘We have been camping in the garden,’ he said. Offering advice to other families, he said: ‘If you don’t have a garden, make an indoor den and sleep in it.’

The Sands National Helpline provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby

***If you’ve been affected by this article, you can call stillbirth and neonatal charity, SANDs, on 0808 164 3332 or visit www.sands.org.uk***