Showtime on the BBC
We are excited announce Secrets of the Brain with Professor Jim Al-Khalili is now showing on BBC 2 & iPlayer
Featuring presenter Professor Jim Al-Khalili, this programme is an exploration of the evolution of the human brain. Back in summer 2024 (Into the Trees with the BBC) we shared a magical adventure with the fabulous physicist and scientist presenter Professor Jim Al-Khalili. As Furnace TV’s Tree Safety Expert and along with top cameraman James Aldred, we helped Jim voyage up way up into the trees for the perfect sequence in the trees. Listening to Jim’s warm, steady voice speaking to camera 25m up in a great big tree was a change from hearing his amazing, in-depth interviews on BBC R4’s The Life Scientific!
“On a sun-drenched day in Dorset, the soft breeze rustles the leaves. There’s a short break in filming and with the ground far below us we feel safe in this tree green tranquility.”
Renowned as a theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster, Jim was very cool, presenting whilst perched on a big bough high up in the twisting, leafy architecture of an Oriental Plane tree canopy. Health & Safety is a key component to our work. As a Tree Safety Expert, my job is fully focussed on the client, ensuring presenters are safe as they deliver their pieces to cameras in some complex and interesting environments.
Presenter Jim and Tree Safety Expert Tim
Relaxing between takes
“Tim was a superb and reassuring help on the day of filming and made us all feel very safe. Our presenter Jim Al-Khalili very much enjoyed working with him as he clambered around at the top of that enormous tree.”
We use specialised rope access techniques combined with advanced tree climbing tree methods to access the canopy, a place seldom visited. Guiding someone into the canopy who’s never tree climbed before can take them well out of their comfort zone. I relish this challenge as it is always a positive experience and people always take away a sense of awe and a greater understanding of the world up there. Thanks to all the team at Furnace TV and watch Episode 2 on BBC2 Monday 6th October 2025 and also on BBC iPlayer.
Tim (left) and James (right) with the fabulous Jim Al-Khalili after a fabulous day filming up in the canopy.
