Speaking to The Telegraph, Johnny Ball, 87, explained that when he was quoted hundreds of pounds by the council to remove asbestos from his garage, he took matters into his own hands. The former presenter who rose to fame presenting Play School from 1967, and hosted many children's shows focused on science and technology, lives in Farnham Common with his wife, Diane. The broadcaster, who has more recently turned to writing, educational stage musicals and public speaking in schools, explained how he came to bury asbestos under the patio when he was renovating his garage. "They told me to take it down and they’d pick it up – but they’d charge me £700." Johnny added: "In the end, we got the asbestos down and buried it under the patio."