Return for axed TV show as it's back for three-part special months after chop

17 October 2023 , 20:50

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A hit TV show is making a comeback

Autumnwatch fans can rejoice – the show may have been axed to save the BBC money, but it isn’t going to disappear altogether.

The hit nature series, fronted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke, has joined forces with The One Show to bring viewers a nature fix. A trio of films, plus live link ups, will be screened over three nights from Tuesday, October 24 at 7pm. The hosts will be on location across the country looking at many types of wildlife including the largest colony of greater horseshoe bats in the UK, the annual red deer rut in the New Forest and the sounds of tawny owls in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.

The One Show presenters will also live-link to Iolo Williams at RSPB Arne in Dorset, which is the current home of Springwatch and Winterwatch. He hopes to bring live footage of the sika deer, foxes, hares and wading birds using thermal camera technology, plus action from a barn owl box.

Each film will show the annual changes in animal behaviours, as well as the work to protect wildlife. Michaela, who will travel from her home in South Africa to take part, said: “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.”

Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke will front the show (BBC/Pete Dadds)

Each film will show the annual changes in animal behaviours throughout the season, as well as the work being done to protect the environment and local 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.

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"Alongside Springwatch and Winterwatch, these specials give us another opportunity to showcase the wonders of British wildlife across the UK with our audience.” In a statement issued in February announcing that Autumnwatch would be ending after 17 years, the BBC 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.” Last night the editor of The One Show, Joanne Vaughan Jones, said she was “thrilled” to collaborate with the Autumnwatch team for three nights from Tuesday 24th October at 7pm.

Nicola Methven