Countryfile viewers called out the BBC for a sneaky editing trick on Sunday as they spotted something very strange about the much-loved programme’s presenter lineup.
Countryfile gives an insight into the larger issues affecting British countryside life through investigations into the problems, characteristics, and traditions of a different area each week.
On Sunday, eagle-eyed fans questioned why the episode featured clips of John Craven – that were first aired back in 2022.
The episode, titled Britain’s Rarest Animals, featured John, now 83, telling viewers about the red squirrel.
Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to write: ‘With such a large team of presenters, I cannot understand why Countryfile has to “delve into the archives” to fill the hour #countryfile’.
Countryfile viewers called out the BBC after they spotted an sneaky editing trick in the presenter lineup on Sunday (pictured: the episode’s host Joe Crowley)
Countryfile gives an insight into the larger issues affecting British life through an investigation of the problems, characteristics, and traditions of a different area each week
On Sunday, eagle-eyed fans questioned why the episode featured clips of John Craven, now 83, (pictured) – that were first aired in 2022
‘Amuses me that they don’t call it “repeats”.’
‘We pay through the nose for the Beeband they still recycle old footage SMH [shaking my head] #Countryfile.’
And John’s wasn’t the only throwback clip included on Sunday: Countryfile also delved into the Ellie Harrison archives. She left the programme in 2023.
However, fans didn’t mind this addition with one commenting: ‘Old clips of Ellie are the only old clips i need #countryfile.’
John’s footage saw him visit Naddle Forest in the Lake District.
He said: ‘Naddle Forest is full of fruiting trees, flowers, fungi and nesting areas which offer red squirrels the perfect home. Let’s hope we find some today.’
The feature highlighted population struggles faced by red squirrels, amid competition from their grey counterparts.
John has been at Countryfile since in 1989, just one year after the programme began, making him Countryfile’s longest-serving presenter.
He presents on a rotating basis with Adam Henson, Matt Baker, Tom Heap, Helen Skelton, Anita Rani, and Sean Fletcher.
The episode, titled Britain’s Rarest Animals, featured John telling viewers about the red squirrel
And John’s wasn’t the only throwback clip included on Sunday: Countryfile also delved into the Ellie Harrison archives. She left the programme in 2023
It comes after Countryfile was slapped with heaps of complaints from angry fans after airing a ‘brutal’ clip.
Viewers were left unimpressed after watching a segment on breeding ewes, with some claiming the programme hit a ‘low point’.
Presenter Adam, the show’s resident farmer, was seen scouring through female sheep to see whether they needed to be slaughtered due to old age or illness.
Upset viewers saw Adam, who recently opened up about his secret mental health battle, pick out 15 ewes to get culled, which caused some distress amongst fans.
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