Countryfile viewers slammed the BBC show’s latest installment when they featured a a driving segment which some viewers felt was too similar to Top Gear.
In Sunday’s episode, presenters Anita Rani and Matt Baker took a trip along the Lake District’s Hardknott and Wrynose passes, where Anita gushed about how much she enjoys a countryside drive.
But viewers said the last thing a programme about the countryside needs is more cars – especially amid climate change.
The routes famously feature some of the most challenging roads in the country – though with stunning views – as they narrowly wind up and down steep single tracks.
This includes England’s deepest lake, Wast Water, where Rani joined a group of local wild swimmers.
Countryfile viewers slammed the BBC show’s latest installment for resembling TV show Top Gear – when Anita Rani and Matt Baker drove around the Lake District’s Hardknott and Wrynose passes
The routes famously feature some of the most challenging roads in the country as they narrowly wind up and down steep single tracks
With the hosts commenting on their car’s ability to navigate the terrain, one viewer quipped: ”What’s this, #countryfile does #topgear?’ Pictured (L-R): Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris on Top Gear series 27 in 2019
One viewer vented on X: ‘Just what the Lake District doesn’t need #countryfile is a load more cars’
As she sat behind the wheel, the hosts discussing the car’s features and how well it was coping
However, in contrast to the tranquility of the scene, viewers were left fuming and took to X to vent, saying: ‘Promoting non-essential driving over the Lake District passes! WTAF?…
‘Just what the Lake District doesn’t need #countryfile is a load more cars. Why not encourage people to use the buses (and trains) that local people rely on and keep them going…
‘Why is she driving so fast up in a shoebox #countryfile Stop yabbering to the camera, that’s what causes accidents Not concentrating on the job in hand…
‘#Countryfile which bangs on regularly about climate change has most of an episode devoted to encouraging people to go on road trips in the Lake District along some of the narrowest and overcrowded roads…
‘Is this #topgear or #countryfile?…
‘What’s this, #countryfile does #topgear?…
‘Much as I love @BBCCountryfile and this “driving special” in the Lake District, I really don’t think you should be “encouraging”(not the right phrase) people to drive on these passes. Better to encourage using local buses, and those Tour Minibuses.’
And this is not the first time viewers have hit out at recent installments of Countryfile, with an episode dedicated to dentistry last month attracting the ire of fans.
This comes a month after viewers slammed a seperate episode for focusing on Devon and Cornwall locals’ struggles finding an NHS dentist
The show was drawing attention to how people in the Devon and Cornwall countryside struggle to access NHS dentists.
Many pointed out that it is a nationwide issue, being confused as to why it was the focus of a full episode of the programme, rather than farming or wildlife.
However, the BBC went on to point out that they cover a ‘wide range of rural affairs issues affecting rural areas and communities’.
They continued: ‘In this programme, Countryfile investigated the lack of NHS dentistry provision in Devon and Cornwall. Our film acknowledged this is a national problem but focused on the stories of those living in rural areas.
‘Previously the programme has produced diverse films including shortfalls in Special Education Needs provision and the difficulties recruiting Midwifery staff in rural areas.’
