TELEVISION presenters Kate Humble and Ben Fogle opened up about their loving relationship with Nico the gorilla as they returned to Longleat this summer to film the next series of Animal Park.

The dramatic and uplifting BBC One documentary was filmed at the safari park and will be shown in 45 minute episodes over a three-week block.

Among the stories featured in the new series is the unexpected arrival of a new cheetah cub and an abandoned baby wallaby which needs to be hand-reared by its keeper.

Another episode is dedicated to Nico, the famous 56-year-old gorilla who died at the park in January.

Kate said: “Every year I look forward to returning to Animal Park.

“The animals and many of the people who work there have become like family over the many years I have worked there, and our annual reunion is always a highlight.

“I had a really special relationship with Nico, and we have a whole episode on him in this series. He just had this very kind of human face and I love the fact that he liked watching telly and of course he loved Animal Park.

“We would go in and these incredible kind of human hands were reaching through the bars when you were handing him something.”

Ben said: “I’m so thrilled to return to Longleat for the latest series of Animal Park. The feeling of excitement I get walking through the gates has never left me and I can’t wait to see some familiar faces.”

The series began airing from 9.15am on Monday August 6.

It will then be on every weekday for three weeks on BBC1 at this time.