The Blowfish is also the host of Ocean Wonders on the global wildlife network EarthxTV. Launched in 2023 and currently running its second series, this show is spawned purely from the mind of Fish himself, and is a deep dive (pun intended) into the truly incredible creatures that live in our seas. Expect crazy experiments, weird critters and big explosions!
The Blowfish is never happier than when talking about his favourite subject – sharks! He is a regularly presenter/host for Shark Week on Discovery, travelling to South Africa, Miami, New Zealand and beyond for Great White Battlegrounds, Great White Girl Gangs, Cocaine Shark,6000LB Shark and for a 50th Anniversary “JAWS” special Surviving Jaws.
Before this, the Blowfish was perhaps best known around the world for two series of the epic adventure show, Fishing Impossible. In 2015 he took on his biggest challenge to date, filming the 10 x 60 minute series for BBC Worldwide and ITV1. Fishing Impossible sees three fishing fanatics travel the world for the most amazing fishing and marine conservation experiences. Needless to say, the Blowfish was in his element getting up close and personal with some of the ocean’s most stunning creatures. The show was such a success that a second series (7 x 60) was commissioned immediately and, once again, The Blowfish found himself travelling the globe to the most incredible locations to find the most unbelievable fish!
He has also made numerous appearances on CBBC, including Blue Peter,Absolute Genius with Dick & Dom and How to be Epic at Everything. He was the resident wildlife expert on Sunday Brunch (Channel 4), has summoned sharks with heavy metal on The One Show (BBC One) and has also scared Holly Willoughby on This Morning (ITV1) with some weird and wonderful creatures. He has even appeared on the hit Discovery Canada show Daily Planet, enthusing about sharks (of course) and other creatures of the deep.
The son of a respected veterinary surgeon, The Blowfish learnt the value and beauty of animals from a young age and now he devotes himself to teaching the wonder of wildlife and the importance of conservation to young people. The subject closest to his heart, of course, is the sea. As a fully trained BSAC Dive Leader and PADI Dive Master with nearly 30 years dive experience, The Blowfish knows all too well the perilous state of our oceans. Throughout his years working directly with many dangerous animals, both in controlled settings and in the wild, The Blowfish has gather incredible experience which allows him to free dive with sharks, wrangle snakes and dance with scorpions. Always showing the utmost respect to the creature, but also exploring and explaining it’s most amazing features, The Blowfish can access a side of nature that no one else can.
Also lending his unique skills to The Shark Trust, writing for regular news updates and presenting educational films. For three years he was the face of Marks & Spencer’s marine conservation programme, the School of Fish, which involved over 300,000 children, making school visits, launching competitions, leading the Big Beach Clean and regularly blogging about marine conservation. In July 2012 he lead The Big Fish Debate in Birmingham.
A key player in British Science Communication, The Blowfish has presented live shows to thousands of children and adults alike across the UK, appearing at The Big Bang Fair, The Skills Show, Oxford Science Festival, Otley Science Festival and Swansea Science Festival, to just name a few! Just make sure you take your ear plugs along, as the shows are known to get LOUD.
Tom “The Blowfish” Hird’s debut book Blowfish’s Oceanopedia about the hidden facts of the ocean, was published by Atlantic in October 2017.
For further information about Blowfish please contact his agent andrew@cloud9management.co.uk
