MY name is Sally – and I am a Countryfile-oholic.
There are millions of us glued to BBC1 on Sundays for a weekly dose of what is
happening in the world of wildlife and wellies.
Its winter special pulled in 8.2million viewers at the weekend — making it the
most-watched factual show on any channel this year.
And the Christmas special bagged more than a quarter of the TV share.
I can fully appreciate the charm of a show once intended for farming fans and
tractor-spotters, but now a primetime guilty pleasure.
On Sundays at 7pm you will find me flat out on the sofa, Pinot Grigio in hand,
ready to tune in.
Happier than a pig in mud.
As an all-round party girl and lover of high heels, Countryfile might not be
my obvious telly choice.
But the weekend is over and you are trying not to think about the train crush
that awaits in the morning.
Countryfile is an escape, with those dulcet tones of John Craven washing over
you like a snugly comforter.
He is saying: “Hang on in there kid, there’s another world out there.”
To round it off, there is the five-day weather forecast, which both farmers
and the fashion pack need to have — albeit for very different reasons.
Afterwards you will know if it will be a good day to cut your hay or, equally
as important, when you can break out those suede pumps.
Whether you live in the sticks or not, Countryfile makes fascinating TV.
Viewers are educated on how to choose the family chickens or learn about the
plight of the red squirrel.
Already this year the team has explored the risk to some of our most
endangered animals, from water voles to wildcats, and investigated the
notoriously changeable winter weather in Britain.
Countryfile first broadcast in July 1988, replacing the long-running show
Farming.
It even got a royal seal of approval in 2013 when Prince Charles starred in
the programme for a one-off on his Gloucestershire farm.
Over the years, its game presenters have taken part in pursuits ranging from
toe wrestling to hen racing.
Perhaps Countryfile is children’s TV for grown-ups.
You never really grow out of finding lambs cute, ducks fluffy and horses
pretty.
Then there is Adam “The Farmer” Henson — hitting that safe Sunday night
sex-symbol balance just right.
I won’t be swapping stilettos for hiking boots just yet.
But I am proud to say I am among Countryfile’s army of fans.
‘File facts
– The first show aired on July 24, 1988.
– Famous fans include Prince Charles, Jeremy Clarkson, JLS singer JB Gill,
Deborah Meaden and Sun chef Tom Kerridge.
– Series of live shows in 2001 reported the latest on the foot and mouth
crisis.
– Countryfile has its own calendar and 2014’s theme is “Our Living Landscape”.
Last year’s raised £1.3million for Children In Need.
– On the 20th anniversary programme in 2008 the team sprung a surprise. TV
impressionist Jon Culshaw appeared behind John Craven to mimic him while he
was filming.
– Last year the show’s weather presenters came under fire for dressing too
casually in “scruffy” jeans.
– John Craven, 73, hosted kids’ favourite Newsround and was a regular on
Multi-Coloured Swap Shop. He lives in Oxfordshire and is married with two
daughters.
– Julia Bradbury, 43, has been a presenter on Watchdog, Top Gear and Wish You
Were Here. She lives in Rutland and London with her boyfriend and son, two.
– Matt Baker, 36, is known for presenting The One Show and Blue Peter. The
2010 Strictly Come Dancing runner-up is married with two children.
– Michaela Strachan reported on the 2002 World Gurning Championship in Cumbria
– and won it.
– Prince Charles starred in a special episode on his organic farm in 2013.
Sunday’s TV top 5
1. Call
The Midwife (9.9m)
2. Countryfile Winter (8.7m)
3. The Musketeers (7.6m)
4. Dancing On Ice (6.3m)
5. Fake Or Fortune (5.3m)