05-08-2025
Countryfile viewers fume 'what on Earth is happening?!' as they slam BBC for 'losing the plot and scraping the bottom of the barrel' with latest episode
Countryfile viewers were left fuming as the BBC showed deviated away from its usual format during its latest episode on Sunday.
The horticultural series, which is a staple of the schedules, came from North Yorkshire as fan-favourite John Craven was on hosting duties.
In a change to its usual agriculture and nature theme, Countryfile celebrated two centuries of railways.
John, 84, brought viewers along to Wensleydale Railway, which has been revived by volunteers after years of neglect.
However, loyal fans watching at home were left less than impressed over the shakeup to the format.
Taking to social media, they vented their displeasure and slammed the BBC.
One viewer wrote: 'Motorbikes and trains. Have they run out of PROPER country life related subjects? #countryfile.'
A second blasted: 'What on Earth is going on with #countryfile I might be wrong but isn't it supposed to be about life in the countryside not a bad imitation of the dreadful #theoneshow.'
'Next week on #countryfile a feature on the art of barrel scraping,' said a third in a scathing swipe.
While a fourth chimed in: 'What on earth is happening to #countryfile ? It's really lost the plot these days. This week they give us the John Craven show.'
Countryfile first launched in 1988 and is considered an integral part of BBC One's weekend schedule.
Over its decades on air the show has seen a number of hosts, which include John, Matt Baker, Adam Henson, Helen Skelton and Sean Fletcher.
The show also saw John delve into the nostalgic ways in which the public travelled through the years.
Meanwhile, John Craven previously spoke out about the risky career move that almost ended his relationship with his now wife.
Discussing his 2019 memoir Headlines and Hedgerows with Daily Mail, the presenter reflected on his career, meeting his wife Marilyn and how one move to Bristol almost cost him relationship.
However, when asked to move to Bristol for a children's current affairs programme called Search - where he got his big break - he almost let his soulmate slip through his fingers.
Reflecting on when he first met the production secretary on Look North, he said he was taken a back by the 'strong northern woman, and all I had been looking for'.
He added: 'It helped that she worked in TV. She knew how it was.
'We hadn't been together that long when I was asked to move to Bristol and I wasn't sure if she would say yes, but she did, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.'
Countryfile airs Sundays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
