Countryfile viewers found themselves having to correct the BBC programme over misinformation as presenters gave an incorrect location for a much-loved landmark.
Tuning into the latest episode on Sunday, fans were told by Sean Fletcher that the prehistoric hill figure, The Uffington White Horse, was part of the Marlborough Downs when in fact it’s located in Oxfordshire.
Just seconds into the show, Fletcher remarked: “The Marlborough Downs is a landscape of diverse habitats and ancient remnants from a forgotten time, including huge chalk horse carved out of these rolling hills.”
Viewers soon pointed out the geography blunder on social media, swarming to X to question how the show could have mistaken the whereabouts of the famous figure.
“People in Wiltshire will be surprised to be told by #Countryfile that the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire is located on the Marlborough Downs,” one person stated.
“@BBCOne #countryfile The Uffington White Horse is in Oxfordshire not Wiltshire - get your facts straight!” another demanded.
Fans took to social media to point out the blunder
BBC
“#countryfile the Uffington White horse is OXFORDSHIRE you muppets!” the X user added.
"Wow #Countryfile from my neck of the woods - Marlborough Downs. And the start of the programme is from Uffington Horse in Oxfordshire," one more complained.
Fans were also scratching their heads over a different topic covered on the show as the hosts dedicated much of the episode to how people are struggling amid the shortage of UK dentists.
“Countryfile , why on earth are they talking about teeth and dentists? Isn’t it supposed to be about the countryside #countryfile #BBC,” someone asked.
“Can the BBC please explain what dentists have to do with the country? Or is it another party political broadcast? #countryfile,” another fumed.
Steve Fletcher announced the wrong location of the landmark
BBC
“Can anyone tell me what the shortage of NHS dentists has to do with the BBCs Countryfile?” a sixth questioned. (sic)
It isn’t the first time the weekly show has come under fire, with viewers recently slamming a “lack of balance” on the programme.
It came as last month, Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith explored the inspiration behind AA Milne’s classic children’s stories Winnie The Pooh.
“Ashdown Forest in East Sussex is a diverse landscape of open land, and hills and is a haven for wildlife,” Smith explained.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- BBC Death in Paradise fans fume as key character teases exit from drama: 'Surely we can't lose him!'
- BBC Strictly's Giovanni Pernice 'could face more complaints' as ex-partners 'team up' with Amanda Abbington
- Rod Stewart ‘absolutely devastated’ as he pays tribute to Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley
The Countryfile hosts were corrected on social media
BBC
Baker went on: "It is the inspiration behind AA Milne's 100-acre Wood from Winnie the Pooh.”
He jokingly added: “And to celebrate, of course, we are going on a bear hunt."
However, viewers didn’t see the relevance of the much-loved bear and accused the show of becoming “childish” and without any “balance”.
GB News has approached the BBC over the backlash.
