6 days ago
Ben Fogle mourns death of New Lives in the Wild star who ‘found happiness after losing millions'
Ben Fogle has paid tribute to New Lives in the Wild contributor David Glasheen, who has died aged 81.
The former stockbroker was featured on Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild in 2013 after he lost his millions in the stock exchange crash. Dubbed the "Millionaire Castaway", Glasheen moved to the remote Restoration Island off the coast of Australia in 1997, where he later hosted Fogle.
A real-life Robinson Crusoe, he lived there with only wild dog Quassi for company. Quassi reportedly died of a snake bite in 2016 and he found another wild dog Polly who died in 2018.
"Dave found true happiness when he lost his millions and reconnected with nature," Fogle wrote in a message on Instagram. "Rest in Peace Dave."
The 51-year-old journalist remembered his "one of a kind" friend. Fogle shared some fun photographs of their time in the wild, including when they enjoyed a beach beer.
"So sad to hear that Dave Glasheen has passed away," he wrote on Instagram. "He was one of the first Wildmen I visited for New Lives in the Wild."
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He added: "He lived alone on Restoration Island in North Eastern Australia with just his beloved dog/dingo cross, Quassi for company.
"Dave had lost his multi million dollar fortune overnight and on a whim moved to remote Restoration island where he finally found happiness in tranquility and isolation. He really was one of a kind and I feel so fortunate to have met him a few times and spent time with him on his little Australian paradise.
"It saddens me that so many of the folk I have met over the years are passing away but it is also a reminder of the value and preciousness of life. Make the most of this short time we have. Dave was 81 and lived the richest life I know."
Fogle's meeting with Glasheen was memorable, and many New Lives in the Wild viewers shared their condolences in the comments. "Oh he was fabulous..i remember that show. Sorry to hear this he really lived his life didnt way he wanted," one person wrote.
Another added: "He passed as one of the richest men alive. We could all be more like Dave. RIP."
Someone else said: "I loved his story. What a fascinating man and life xx."
Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild series finishes on Tuesday with a trip to a poo expert. (Channel 5)
TV star Fogle travels worldwide to meet the brave people choosing to live a different life in nature, off-grid.
He always forges close bonds with the people he visits on his popular Channel 5 series New Lives in the Wild. Those relationships made are for life, and the journalist often films revisits for the series, too.
Fogle revisited Glasheen for the 2017 series of New Lives in the Wild. "I stay in touch with everyone," Fogle told Yahoo UK in 2024 of those relationships. "They become real friends. It is an intense friendship formed in a very short time."
