If I’d started presenting now trolls would have shaken me to the core, admits Springwatch’s Michaela Strachan

MICHAELA Strachan has revealed that one of her greatest fears is being trolled online ahead of Springwatch's 18th season.

The presenter, who has hosted the BBC nature series since 2012, will be entering her eleventh season with Chris Packham later this month.

The wildlife expert has been on our screens since the 80s.

During those 40 years, Michaela has had a glittering career as a reporter and presenter, previously working on Wide Awake Club and Countryfile.

Since then, she has made a name for herself on Springwatch, however, it hasn't always been plain sailing.

During her time on the critically-acclaimed series, Michaela delved into the abuse that she and her colleagues receive.

When asked what she makes of it all, she told The Sun and other press that, in fear of reading negative comments about herself, she purposely stays away from social media.

"I think I would say a good at least 90 per cent of our social media interactions are very positive which is good because I’m not very good at not being liked," she told us at a roundtable event.

"You know, Chris is good at taking abuse, but I would be absolutely hopeless if people were people chucking abuse at me that they chuck at him."

Online trolling has been heavily linked with serious physical and psychological effects such as lowered self-esteem, depression and, in some cases, even suicide.

As a result, Michaela added that she's "very glad" that Twitter "wasn't a thing" when she first started out presenting.

"But I’m sure if there would have been social media when I first started out 35 years ago, it would have mortified me to think what people would say," the 56-year-old added.

"It’s a harsh world, this social media world and, as I say, I’m very happy that I do a programme that most people seem to like."

Elaborating on Michaela's views, Chris added that he doesn’t see the abuse that they both receive going away anytime soon.

"When we get things wrong, actually, we take vicarious pleasure in putting our hands up and saying we got that wrong," he said.

"I don’t see the abuse going away. I’ve just got to take it on the chin and that’s what I do."

Springwatch begins on Monday, 30 May at 8pm on BBC Two.