‘What a disappointment’ rage Countryfile fans as they ‘switch off’ BBC show minutes into episode
COUNTRYFILE returned to screens last night, but viewers were left raging as the hosts judged the entries for the BBC’s 2025 Wildlife Photography Calendar.
Some BBC fans even “switched off” the programme as they couldn’t bear to watch the judges make such “disappointing” choices.
On Sunday night’s episode of Countryfile, presenters John Craven and Charlotte Smith congregated at Kew’s Botanical Gardens and Nature Reserve in West Sussex to look over thousands of photographs submitted to the annual calendar competition which raises money for Children in Need.
Welcoming viewers to the episode, Charlotte gushed: “This isn’t just a stunning venue for judging our photo competition. The team here is safeguarding nature for the future.”
The presenters were also joined by BBC Radio 1 host Vick Hope, who helped them sort through the entries.
This year, viewers and amateur photographers had the opportunity to submit a photo they felt best represented the theme of “natural wonders.”
The three judges were stunned by the photos that were submitted, which ranged from stunning landscape shots to close-ups of a variety of creatures in their natural habitat.
John was in awe of the selection. “Well, I have been looking at these pictures that our viewers have sent in for 25, maybe more, years. I have never failed to be impressed with how much better they seem to be quality wise each year,” he said.
“It just shows how much our viewers love the British countryside,” he added.
While Vic gushed: “I have been so impressed with how much talent is out there.”
However, some viewers at home were not nearly as impressed with the pictures the judges deemed worthy of a coveted spot on the calendar as they felt they skipped over some incredible choices.
Criticising the judges’ choices on X, formerly Twitter, one viewer said: “Not a fan of the selection of photos for the Countryfile calendar. They have a tendency to pick cliched, cutesy images that wouldn’t look out of place in Hallmark cards.”
While others slammed the “disappointing” episodes.
“One of the annual most disappointing episodes,” they wrote.
“What a disappointment tonight’s episode is. Just print the calendar,” agreed another.
While a fourth said they could only watch for a few minutes. “Seriously getting bored with the calendar feature – great cause – but making me switch off,” they wrote.
Countryfile presenting team
Agricultural programme Countryfile launched on the BBC in 1988. In its long history, the show's seen several presenters come and go. Let's take a look at the current line-up.
- John Craven: The longest-serving presenter, having debuted in 1989, John is also known for his work on Newsround from 1972–1989.
- Adam Henson: Adam, who comes from a farming family, joined the presenting team in 2001. His other media work includes BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today and BBC Two’s Lambing Live.
- Matt Baker: Having joined the line-up in 2009, Matt also presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones from 2011 to 2020. Before that, he hosted Blue Peter from 1999 to 2006.
- Tom Heap: Tom joined Countryfile in 2009 and in April 2012, he took over the investigative reporter role from John Craven. He has also presented The Climate Show on Sky News.
- Helen Skelton: Another former Blue Peter presenter, she hosted the beloved children’s programme from 2008 to 2013. Helen joined the Countryfile team in 2014 and has competed in Strictly Come Dancing.
- Anita Rani: Anita was added to Countryfile in 2015 and has presented other programmes for the Beeb including The Refugee Camp: Our Desert Home, among others.
- Sean Fletcher: Newsreader and presenter Sean joined Countryfile in 2015. He is also known for Good Morning Britain, Songs of Praise and BBC Breakfast.
Unfortunately, this is a yearly problem for the show, as viewers were livid watching Strictly champ Hamza Yusuf make his selection last year.
However, some BBC fans sympathised with the impossible choices the judges have to make.
Some of the images that made the final cut included a close-up of a baby seal laying on a beach, baby foxes in a forest, and lambs jumping happily through a field.
“Wow, some amazing photographs! Tough job for the judges,” one viewer said.
“Such amazing photos this year. I don’t envy them deciding which ones to pick,” agreed another.
Impressed, a third viewer added: “I watched Countryfile and am amazed how the panel could pick 12 pictures, they were all fantastic.”