Sex symbol? I get more attention from men in anoraks, says Neil Oliver

NEIL OLIVER really isn’t the type to boast.

It seems that we can’t get enough of the smooth archaeologist.

He’s been a big part of some of the most popular factual programmes on British TV over the past couple of decades.

Millions of people alone tuned in to Coast, his series about, well, the British coastline.

He may look thoroughly at home on TV, but Neil insists that the fact he became a small-screen star and sex symbol into the bargain just “kind of happened” to him.

“Honestly, it did I just stumbled in to TV,” he laughs.

“Being on the box was never part of the plan and I’d never say I’m a TV presenter I’m an archaeologist.”

Say it loud he’s geeky and proud.

And he’s as excited about archaeology and the discovery of old stones and bones as he’s always been.

Now Neil has bagged himself a major book deal and his first novel, Master of Shadows, is set to become a best-seller.

But guess what?

That just “kind of happened” to him too.

He explains: “I’d always fancied writing fiction. In fact, I’d already written another novel about 20 years ago.

“One of those dreadful semi-biographical things.

“But I got rid of it. It did get me an agent, but I didn’t want it hanging around and coming back to haunt me!”

There are some who would say that part of Neil’s appeal is his swishy-haired handsomeness.

But he sounds thoroughly embarrassed when I mention it.

“Honestly, I get more attention from blokes in anoraks wanting to discuss archaeology than women!” he protests.

Of course, there’s more to him than that hair.

His programmes are so popular because he’s got a rare gift for making dry, dusty facts come alive and sound relevant and oh-so-interesting.

It should be law there’s at least one Neil Oliver in the history department of every school.

It’s no surprise his love of history has rubbed off on his children Evie, Archie and Teddy, and they enjoy nothing more than a visit to a museum.

And he denies the fact that TV has turned him into a celebrity.

“Well, I’m a happily-married man,” he says, referring to wife Trudi.

“I’m a familiar face around Stirling, but no more than anyone else who lives in that area and that’s the way I like it.

“I’m definitely not treated as some kind of celeb, but as one of the locals.”

His love of Scotland is well-known of course, and when you ask him if he has a favourite area to visit, he answers without hesitation.

“I love the East Neuk of Fife,” he says.

“As a family, we spend loads of time there. It’s a fantastic corner of the world.

“But I like the Western Isles too. I spent a lot of time there with my dad and have happy memories of it. And Northumberland.”

Such is the success of Coast that Neil hopes it has encouraged people to take ‘staycations’.

“When we first launched the programme 10 years ago, people were travelling far and wide,” he says.

“Part of the Coast idea was to remind people what’s at home.

“In some small way I hope the rise in people holidaying in Britain has been down to the success of the show.”

He adores Scotland, but his love of the whole of the UK was evident when he revealed he was voting No at the independence referendum.

I’m intrigued to know his thoughts on the lasting effects of the indyref days the campaigning, the passion and the arguing.

“I think history will judge it as a very divisive time. We were pretty neatly divided into two tribes. Maybe they were already there. I think it’s unfortunate and those divisions seem permanent.”

He’s a telly star and now a novelist. So what’s next for Scotland’s Indiana Jones?

“My dad used to say you never know who’s standing next to you,” he says.

“Even now, Trudi and I say to the kids to have as broad a brush as you can be open to opportunities.

“I mean, if someone wants to give me a part in the next Ridley Scott blockbuster I’ll take it. But I’ve never had any grand plan. I’ll just wait and see.”

To listen to him tell it, his career has been one happy accident.

Let’s see what “kind of happens” to him next…

Master of Shadows, published by Orion, is out on Thursday.