HE'S a TV historian, son of a famous broadcaster and also a bit of a heartthrob!

Dan Snow visits Christchurch next week as part of his first UK tour: An Evening with the History Guy on the History Hit TV Tour 2018.

The son of legendary broadcaster Peter Snow and the nephew of Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow, Dan is also the great great grandson of British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George.

Attributing his love of history to his childhood when he recalls spending weekends being taken to castles, battlefields, country houses and churches, Dan went onto study history at Oxford University.

When Dan left Oxford he started presenting history programmes with his father and their series Battlefield Britain went on to win a BAFTA.

Here he talks about why he decided to go on tour and what audiences can expect...

When you’re making television and podcasts, it’s very lonely. You sit by yourself and think, “Is anyone watching?” That’s why TV presenters take to Facebook Live. That gives you the number of viewers at the bottom of the screen. It might be only five people, but at least you know someone is there!

Live events at book festivals and book launches are a huge treat because you get to meet people. It’s an enormous boost to the confidence to know there are people out there following what you do! The tour is the first time I’ve done this in an organised way where we’ve been able to build a proper show. It’s a great chance to meet people and say thank you to those on whom my career depends. I’m really looking forward to it.

What will you be talking about in the show?

A large chunk of the show will be about local history. It will have direct relevance to the place we’re in.

Do members of the public help with your research?

Yes they do. I get lots of messages on my Facebook page. There is so much history out there it’s ridiculous and I find the stories that people send me fascinating. Also, it’s easier to become knowledgeable in an aspect of history. It’s not like physics where you need a $300 billion particle accelerator in the house to become an expert. I am really looking forward to interaction with the audiences at my shows.

History is not all about dead kings, old libraries and dust. It’s everything. It’s your parents’ eyes meeting across a crowded room and why we are who we are and why we are speaking English and why it’s acceptable for women and men to mingle together. I hope people walk out of the theatre saying that they had a really good time. I also hope they leave having thought deeply about the past of their town, their country and their world.

Can you explain your passion for history?

I love history. It’s everywhere. It’s everything that ever happened to anyone who has ever lived on this planet. It also means that I’m never bored on a train journey. As you travel, you see names that echo from the past. Every place has a history

What do you think are the benefits of studying history?

History explains so much about today. Why you can’t go to a pub in Armagh and sing God Save the Queen without being glassed, while 20 miles away it would be fine. That’s all about history. If you’re curious about the world today, history can help you understand it. It will also make you realise that we are so lucky to be alive today. It gives things a real sense of perspective.

Why do you think it's important that children learn history at school?

It teaches young people about the things they say and hear, and it teaches them to be profoundly distrustful of politicians – and also not to invade Russia! People are mad to believe politicians without checking the evidence first. Young people need to learn about the reliability of sources and sifting through people’s motivations and understanding why they are saying something you. There is nothing more important than questioning those in authority.

Tell us about your channel, History Hit TV.

Life is very exciting at the moment. Our podcasts have a million listeners. It’s no longer about going to a publisher and waiting for a commission. It’s about going out there and making instant connections with people.

Did you inherit your love of history from your family?

Yes. My dad is fantastic on the heritage side. I inherited that from him. He has relentless energy and was always taking us to different places as children. Also, my Welsh grandma, Nain, was a huge storyteller. She taught me to give history a human element and to bring it alive. I hope my history is very real and vivid because of her.

n Dan Snow – An Evening with the History Guy is at the Regent Centre at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 28.