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Simon Reeve – Biography, Books and BBC Documentaries

Who is Simon Reeve?

Who is Simon Reeve? He is a British author, journalist, adventurer, documentary filmmaker and BBC television presenter best known for travel and environmental documentaries including Equator, Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

Born Simon Alan Reeve on 21 July 1972 in Hammersmith, London, he had a difficult start in life. He left school with one GCSE and later described a period in his teens when he contemplated suicide. His early working life was far from glamorous: he started as a post boy in the post room at The Sunday Times before moving into investigative journalism.

Key facts at a glance

Detail Information
Full name Simon Alan Reeve
Born 21 July 1972
Birthplace Hammersmith, London (some profiles say Acton)
Occupation Author, journalist, adventurer, documentary filmmaker, TV presenter
Known for Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Wilderness with Simon Reeve
Books The New Jackals, One Day in September, Step by Step
Wife Anya Reeve
Home Dartmoor, Devon

How did Simon Reeve go from post room to presenter?

Reeve’s route into broadcasting was not a straight line. After his early years in the post room at The Sunday Times, he moved into investigative reporting. His agency biography says he became the youngest staff writer in the paper’s history by his early twenties.

He later shifted from newspapers to documentary production, where his combination of reporting and on-the-road curiosity set him apart. He has been described as a leading figure in “adventure journalism,” with series that pair environmental reporting with travel.

Career marker

Reeve’s first major book, The New Jackals, was published in 1998 and is described by BBC and Faber material as one of the first books in the world on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

What books has Simon Reeve written?

Reeve has combined writing and broadcasting throughout his career. His books cover investigative reporting, travel and memoir.

The New Jackals and One Day in September

The New Jackals focused on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. His later book One Day in September looks at the 1972 Munich massacre. Both grew out of serious investigative reporting and remain reference points for readers interested in those subjects.

Step by Step and travel books

Reeve has also published Tropic of Capricorn, tied to his television work, and Step by Step, an autobiography that his agency says reached the Sunday Times Top 10. His author page at Faber lists him as one of their writers.

Who is Simon Reeve’s wife and family?

Reeve lives on Dartmoor with his wife Anya Reeve and their teenage son, according to The Telegraph. He has spoken publicly about how his difficult childhood shaped him, but he generally keeps his family life private.

No reliable source in the available material names any additional children. Public profiles mention one teenage son and no other children.

Does Simon Reeve have an illness?

No credible source has reported that Simon Reeve has a chronic illness or diagnosed condition. Speculation appears to stem from his slender appearance in recent documentaries, not from any medical statement.

Unconfirmed rumour

There is no public confirmation of any serious illness. Online speculation appears to be based on his appearance in programmes such as Wilderness with Simon Reeve, not on a medical source.

What is known about Simon Reeve’s net worth and height?

No official net worth figure has been published. Online estimates vary widely, and none of the high-authority sources in the available research support a specific number.

His height is also not listed in reliable profiles. Neither his Wikipedia page nor his agency biography includes a verified height.

What is not disclosed

Net worth and height are absent from all high-authority pages about Simon Reeve. Anyone citing a specific figure is not relying on an official source.

What is Wilderness with Simon Reeve and what’s next?

Wilderness with Simon Reeve is one of his recent BBC series. In it, he travels through remote landscapes while examining environmental and social questions. A recent interview with the Evening Standard focused on the series and his approach to presenting.

Reeve continues to be described as an adventurer and a leading voice in adventure journalism. Live tour dates are shared through his official site and social media; no single reference page currently aggregates all of his appearances.

What is known and what remains unclear?

Established information

  • He was born on 21 July 1972 in London.
  • He wrote The New Jackals and One Day in September.
  • He is married to Anya Reeve and lives on Dartmoor.
  • He has one teenage son, according to The Telegraph.

Information that remains unclear

  • His net worth has not been officially disclosed.
  • His height is not listed in reliable profiles.
  • There is no official statement about any illness.
  • No reliable source confirms whether he has additional children.

Why is Simon Reeve considered a trusted guide?

Reeve’s credibility comes from combining serious reporting with on-the-ground experience. He does not simply present landscapes; he brings an investigative background to the stories he tells.

His BBC profile describes him as an author, journalist, adventurer, documentary filmmaker and television presenter. His agency biography places his early career at The Sunday Times, and his speaker profile highlights the range of his work across television and publishing.

What should you remember about Simon Reeve?

Simon Reeve is best understood as a journalist who turned curiosity into a career. He moved from a post room to investigative reporting, wrote early books about bin Laden and the Munich massacre, and then became a familiar face in British documentary television.

The most reliable information about him comes from his BBC profile, his publisher, and interviews with established media. Figures about his wealth and height, and claims about his health, are not supported by official sources.

Frequently asked questions

Is Simon Reeve married?

Yes, he is married to Anya Reeve. They live on Dartmoor with their teenage son, according to The Telegraph.

Does Simon Reeve have children?

He has a teenage son, according to The Telegraph. No reliable source lists any additional children.

Where does Simon Reeve live?

He lives on Dartmoor with his wife Anya Reeve and their teenage son.

Is Simon Reeve on tour?

Live tour dates are shared through his official site and social media; no single reference page lists all appearances.

What is Wilderness with Simon Reeve?

It is a BBC series presented by Simon Reeve. It forms part of his recent work in adventure and environmental broadcasting.

What is Simon Reeve’s full name?

His full name is Simon Alan Reeve, according to Wikipedia and IMDb.


Amelia Foster
Amelia FosterStaff Writer

Amelia Foster covers the economy, business and consumer affairs for BritView.uk.