BBC Countryfile viewers 'switch off' minutes into 'disappointing' episode

Presenters John Craven, Charlotte Smith and Vick Hope judge the BBC Countryfile Calendar competition (Image: BBC)

Viewers of Countryfile switched over minutes into tonight's episode, with many calling it "disappointing". The BBC nature series on Sunday evening (August 25) focussed on the plight of bees and the DNA of pollen, wildflowers and Wakehurst's Nature Reserve Warden repurposing an area felled due to ash dieback.

Presenters John Craven and Charlotte Smith were also joined by BBC Radio 1 presenter Vick Hope as they judged this year's Countryfile Photographic Competition from Kew's Botanic Gardens in West Sussex. The presenters marvelled over hundreds and thousands of photos from viewers and budding photographers which all aim to make the BBC Countryfile Calendar 2025.

The calendar raises millions for BBC Children in Need every year and is a key fundraising source for the charity. Yet some viewers of the popular BBC nature series were unimpressed with the episode segment and called it "disappointing".

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One viewer shared: "One of the annual most disappointing episodes" while another wrote: "What a disappointment tonight's episode is. Just print the calendar."

Another viewer quipped: "So 20,000 pictures. If they did this solidly for 12 hours between the 3 of them it’s 9 pictures a minute."

One bemused person shared: "The competition of over-edited photos that are definitely by amateur photographers".

However, others were pleased with tonight's episode. One viewer commented: "Wow, some amazing photographs! Tough job for the judges."

A Countryfile fan commented: "Watching Countryfile where they are judging the calendar competition. I remember when Joe Brand used to help judge it and it was a much funnier item. Beautiful pictures though."

Another wrote: "Such amazing photos this year. I don't envy them deciding which ones to pick."

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John Craven, Charlotte Smith and Vick Hope were all in awe of the photos and explained how much of a difficult job they had on their hands. Veteran TV presenter John was left stunned by the quality of the photos this year.

He commented: "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."

Vick Hope interjected: "I have been so impressed with how much talent is out there."

John added: "It just shows how much our viewers love the British countryside." Charlotte added: "They are so good".

Countryfile airs weekly at 7pm on BBC One.

BBC Countryfile viewers 'switch off' minutes into 'disappointing' episode

BBC Countryfile viewers 'switch off' minutes into 'disappointing' episode

BBC Countryfile viewers 'switch off' minutes into 'disappointing' episode

BBC Countryfile viewers 'switch off' minutes into 'disappointing' episode

BBC Countryfile viewers 'switch off' minutes into 'disappointing' episode