Autumnwatch is making a surprise return to screens just three months after it was axed by bosses in a money-saving measure.
The beloved nature series, fronted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke has joined forces with The One Show for a trio of films beginning on Tuesday October 24.
In April, furious viewers launched a petition after it was announced by the BBC that Autumnwatch would not take place in 2023 and beyond, to ‘focus’ its resources on content that has ‘the highest impact’.
The hosts will appear live from various locations across the country offering a glimpse at many types of wildlife, including horseshoe bats, the annual red deer rut in the New Forest and the sounds of tawny owls in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
The One Show’s presenter will also link to Iolo Williams at RSPB Arne in Dorset, which is the current home of Springwatch and Winterwatch, in a bid to share live footage of the sika deer, foxes, hares and wading birds.
It’s back! Autumnwatch is making a surprise return to screens just three months after it was axed by bosses in a money-saving measure
Michaela is set to travel from her home to take part in the series of films, and told The Mirror: ‘Autumn marks a beautiful transition in nature’s calendar.
‘I’m delighted we can continue to bring this seasonal event to viewers across the UK and capture the wonders of British wildlife.’
BBC Specialist Factual boss Jack Bootle added: ‘I’m delighted that we’ve been able to join forces with The One Show to bring back Autumnwatch for these three seasonal specials.
‘Alongside Springwatch and Winterwatch, these specials give us another opportunity to showcase the wonders of British wildlife across the UK with our audience.’
Back in February, the BBC released a statement revealing that Autumnwatch would not return to screens after 17 years amid ‘challenging times financially.’
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘These are challenging times financially and we need to make difficult decisions and focus our resources on content that has the highest impact.
‘Sadly, this means that Autumnwatch will not be continuing. Instead, we are investing more money into Springwatch and Winterwatch, as they are most popular with audiences.
‘We are incredibly proud of the Watches and would like to thank the presenters and production team who will continue on Springwatch when it returns in May for three weeks, and Winterwatch when it returns next year for one week, reduced from two weeks.’
Surprise! The beloved nature series, fronted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke has joined forces with The One Show for a trio of films beginning on Tuesday October 24
Sad news: In April, viewers launched a petition after the BBC revealed Autumnwatch would not take place in 2023 and beyond, to ‘focus’ its resources on content that has ‘the highest impact’
It came just days after host Chris Packham announced he was cancelling all of his television work for the next three months after feeling completely ‘burnt out’.
The wildlife presenter said he was taking a break from cameras for the first time in nearly four decades because he feels like he has been constantly running on a treadmill.
He is now embarking on a surprising career change, using the start of the year to create abstract sculptures of animals.
The presenter said: ‘I’ve never taken three months off work. Never. I can barely sleep I am so excited. I might have to ban [partner] Charlotte from the studios.’
Of his new art project, Chris added: ‘I don’t want any interference or disruption, I want to get on with it. It will be good to clear my head and focus on something completely different.’
The BBC has delivered more than £1 billion of savings in the five years to 2021/22.
It needs to save a further £285 million in response to the announcement in January 2022 that the licence fee will be frozen for the next two years.
It comes after rural audiences slammed the BBC’s countryside programming for failing to ‘represent rural issues’ in August last year.
