Guildford resident Dame Maggie Aderin has been announced as the 2026 ambassador for Surrey Day, the annual celebration of life across the county.
A renowned space scientist, presenter and author, she has co-presented the BBC’s The Sky at Night since 2014 and is widely recognised for inspiring young people to engage with STEM, including through the popular Stargazing.
The announcement of Dame Maggie Aderin was made at Watts Chapel, part of Watts Gallery, in the village of Compton.
“I travel around the world for work, but I think the Chapel at Watts Gallery is my favourite place on earth,” Dame Aderin told BBC Radio Surrey.
"It's where my husband proposed to me and it's where I mourned my father's death. I have a very busy life but coming to places like this makes me feel relaxed.
"I'm thrilled and honoured. I see myself as part of the Surrey community, so to be this year's ambassador makes me feel even more part of that community."
Dame Aderin joins a distinguished line-up of past ambassadors including Dame Judi Dench, Sir Brian May and Dame Penelope Keith.
Surrey Day 2026 will take place on Saturday May 9, with themes exploring “Underground Surrey” and discovering the county’s hidden treasures.
Surrey Day founder Mark Carter commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Dame Maggie to our annual Surrey Day celebrations. To me, she is the David Attenborough of the science world. Her subject knowledge of often complex matters is second to none, but she manages to impart her wisdom in a way that we can all understand.”
Surrey Day is a collaboration between BBC Radio Surrey, Visit Surrey and Surrey Lieutenancy, alongside a wide network of local charities and organisations, and has been bringing communities together across the county each year since 2019.
- To find out more about Surrey Day 2026, visit the official Surrey Day page where you will find more information as well as events taking place on the day. BBC Radio Surrey will broadcast a day of special shows on Surrey Day, Saturday May 9.
