BBC Countryfile hit with dozens of furious complaints after Anita Rani gaffe

21 February 2024 , 18:35

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BBC Countryfile hit with complaints after Anita Rani gaffe on Sunday night (Image: BBC)

BBC Countryfile has landed in hot water over Anita Rani's mistake on Sunday night, and fans claim 'it's not the first time'.

Viewers were upset about a slip-up from the BBC star on Sunday, February 18, with fans rushing to Twitter/X to criticise the mix-up. In the episode, Joe Crowley and Anita Rani visited the Colesbourne estate in the Cotswolds. At this time of year, its gardens are home to millions of one sturdy flower, the snowdrop.

Anita met with the latest in a long line of snowdrop experts. Joe found out how they provide essential food for our winter wildlife just waking up, and he also learned how snowdrops inspire a local artist. Datshiane Navanayagam went to Devon to find out how more and more communities are joining forces to save village pubs and shops from shutting down. During the show, the park's owner Sir Henry Elwes joined Rani to chat about the spring flowers.

But fans criticised Anita for saying the word "Lieutenant" the American way in her introduction. One viewer wrote on X: " Anita #CountryfilePlease use the UK English of "lieutenant" and not the US pronunciation. Not for the first time recently on #bbc have presenters used US pronunciation of words."

Ms Jones expressed her disappointment on Twitter, saying: "Mispronunciation of lieutenant on #bbc Countryfile tonight by Anita Rani. Another sign that the corporation and its "journalists" no longer have any standards." Pode also chimed in with: "What's the point of Anita Rani on Countryfile? Sorry, but she hasn't got a clue."

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Mrs B added to the criticism, tweeting: "#countryfile. Someone tell Anita how to pronounce lieutenant. We are not American," Sir Henry, who is 88 years old, served as a District and County Councillor in Gloucestershire for 32 years and was Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire between 1992 and 2010.

You can catch BBC Countryfile every Sunday on BBC Two and also on BBC iPlayer*

Zara Woodcock