Countryfile viewers repulsed as host 'plays with poo' on BBC show in 'graphic' scene

Countryfile viewers were not too impressed with the rather "graphic" scenes in the latest episode.

The beloved BBC show returned to screens on Sunday (July 21) with Joe Crowley back at the helm. For the latest instalment, TV presenter Joe headed to Chew Valley.

There he learned about one of the UK's largest farming projects and also discovered how the wider Chew Valley inspires those who work and live in the local area.

Joe went and visited a dairy farm, where the owners graze their milking herd. Grazing is a way to conserve habitats and nature.

And later on in the episode, Joe ended up rummaging through the cow’s poo, in a bid to find dung beetles who are “an important benchmark for the health of an ecosystem.”

He and ecologist Patrick Hancock pulled apart the feces, as Joe quipped: “There’s definitely a herby content.”

And it’s fair to say viewers at home were not too impressed. Over on X, formerly known as Twitter, one person said: “Playing with poo.”

Someone else added: “I quite like Countryfile but could do without seeing graphic film of two grown men rummaging through dung while I'm having my tea ffs.” A third penned: “You need to go wash your hands.”

It comes after the BBC came under fire for its scheduling decisions, as two of the biggest sporting events of the year happen to fall on the same day.

In July, some sports fans were unimpressed to see that, despite the momentous occasion, the channel appeared to have somewhat persevered with its regular programming.

BBC’s Countryfile, which traditionally airs later on Sunday evening, was rescheduled to fall earlier in the day at 5.10pm.

However, the big schedule shake-up wasn’t enough to satisfy some viewers, with some expressing their amazement that Countryfile could air on BBC One at the time of one of British sport’s biggest finals.

Episodes of Countryfile are available to watch on BBC iPlayer