A pair of Swindon fossil hunters who made one of the most significant historical discoveries of recent times have opened up about their most recent television experience. 

Neville and Sally Hollingworth have had a whirlwind few years since they discovered the remains of several 220,000-year-old mammoths at a quarry in Cerney Wick, to the north of Swindon. 

The Moredon couple's incredible find was even the subject of a Christmas documentary hosted by British icon Sir David Attenborough himself. 

Earlier this year, Neville and Sally appeared on Channel 4 Steph's Packed Lunch to talk about their 'mammoth' find and they've now spoken to The Adver about their experience on the show. 

Swindon Advertiser: Swindon's Neville and Sally Hollingworth with Steph McGovern (middle), the host of Channel 4's 'Steph's Packed Lunch'Swindon's Neville and Sally Hollingworth with Steph McGovern (middle), the host of Channel 4's 'Steph's Packed Lunch' (Image: Sally Hollingworth)

"We arrived at the studio which is at Leeds Docks at 10am fully loaded with fossils and mammoth bones," Sally said. 

She described the television studio as a "busy environment with lots going on" and was then given a short tour of the studio before going straight into a rehearsal. 

"At 12.30 it all goes live. The set is buzzing and then all of a sudden it goes quiet as the intro music starts," Sally said.

Ten minutes later they were called to the studio and had four minutes to set up a table with some of their prized finds during a break. 

"Then the call – 5,4,3,2,1 and live – here we go! The clip of 'Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard' is played and we start chatting to Steph McGovern, then 9 minutes and it is all over."

After getting home safe and sound from filming, Sally reflected on her time on the show.

"It was a very exciting experience and we got to meet the other guests on the show including Guy Phoenix who is a property developer and was unaware of the rules that Jurassic material is not protected in construction like archaeology finds are.

"It was a real insight into how live TV shows operate and behind the scenes too.

"Overall, it was an exciting experience, fun and hopefully, we inspired people about the fascinating life that has existed on our planet and the science of palaeontology.

"As well as telling them that anyone can change the world with new discoveries."

The mammoths are just one of many fossil hauls that Neville and Sally have discovered as they found hundreds of rare marine crinoids using Google Maps, and more recently they discovered an eye-popping fish head among a fossil haul in a farmer's field.