David Attenborough

The BBC will not broadcast an episode of David Attenborough's flagship new series over concerns its themes of the destruction of nature would risk a ...

Saving Our Wild Isles is a separate film inspired by the series that was commissioned by the RSPB and WWF. [RSPB](/topic/rspb), will only be available on the BBC’s iPlayer service with source at the BBC telling [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/uk) that the decision was made to fend off potential critique from the political right. This government has taken a wrecking ball to our environment – putting over 1,700 pieces of environmental legislation at risk, setting an air pollution target which is a decade too late, and neglecting the scandal of our sewage-filled waterways – which cannot go unexamined and unchallenged by the public.”

The BBC is understood to have pulled an episode of David Attenborough's new UK wildlife series from television over concerns the natural destruction it ...

“Saving Our Wild Isles is a separate film inspired by the series that was commissioned by the RSPB and WWF. “Those farmers are there to make the point that every farm in the country ought to be able to do a little bit at least of what they do, and that it is possible to farm alongside nature, to make a profit, to produce healthy food and to still run a business.” “And I don’t think that that is political, I think it’s just facts. “You know, we’ve worked really closely with the RSPB in particular who are able to fact-check all of our scripts and provide us with detailed scientific data and information about the loss of wildlife in this country. Laura Howard, who produced the programme and used to work at the BBC’s Natural History Unit, told the Guardian: “I think the facts speak for themselves. The docu-series was part funded by nature charities the RSPB and WWF

An episode of David Attenborough's upcoming British wildlife series will not be broadcast by the BBC over fears of “rightwing backlash”

We acquired a separate film for iPlayer from the RSPB, WWF and Silverback Films about people working to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the British Isles. We acquired a separate film for iPlayer from the RSPB, WWF and Silverback Films about people working to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the British Isles.” Wild Isles is – and always was – a 5 part series. “Saving Our Wild Isles is a separate film inspired by the series that was commissioned by the RSPB and WWF. Wild Isles, a new documentary series exploring the wildlife of the British Isles and narrated by Attenborough, is set to premiere this weekend (March 12). And I don’t think that that is political, I think it’s just facts.”

Broadcaster says episode focusing on destruction of nature risks 'right-wing backlash' and will run on iPlayer only.

Saving Our Wild Isles is a separate film inspired by the series that was commissioned by the RSPB and WWF. “It was not until the end of 2021 that the two charities commissioned Silverback Films to make a film for them that celebrates the extraordinary work of people fighting to restore nature in Britain and Ireland. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Tory politicians jump on the bandwagon and go on and on about how brilliant it is.” In a statement provided after the story was first published, the BBC said: “This is totally inaccurate, there is no ‘sixth episode’. However, senior sources at the BBC told the Guardian that the decision was made to fend off potential critique from the political right. It is also understood to include some examples of rewilding, a concept that has been controversial in some right-wing circles.

The broadcaster denied accusations that it had pulled a sixth episode of the new nature series because of fears of a political backlash.

“The British Isles are globally important for nature. A spokesperson from the BBC replied: “This is totally inaccurate, there is no sixth episode. A date will be announced in due course.

Filmed over the course of three years, Sir Attenborough filmed his new series Wild Isles in multiple locations. TV Presenter David Attenborough walking to ...

“He is also all about preparing the planet for the next generation, saving things and caring. Curiosity means embracing new ideas and never being afraid to try something. And without focus – being able to really concentrate and understand a topic – you lose the ability to finish things, and when you do that you lose a sense of meaning,” psychologist [ veteran broadcaster returns to the British Isles](https://inews.co.uk/news/david-attenborough-reportedly-giving-up-on-location-filming-for-nature-documentaries-after-new-bbc-series-2188700?ico=in-line_link) for a much-needed homecoming, as he works with his team of 30 years to celebrate the nature on our doorstep and the challenges it faces. [the Observer](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/04/new-david-attenborough-series-about-uk-likely-to-be-his-last-on-location) reported it is likely to be the last series in which he films on location. [will return to screens for another series this weekend](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/david-attenborough-wild-isles-documentary-2199166?ico=most_popular), for what might be his final – and potentially most important – documentary yet.

Sir David Attenborough has travelled the globe to bring us the most spectacular wildlife footage ever seen, but his landmark new series Wild Isles proves ...

'The males rise up and try to push each other's head to the ground in a show of dominance,' explains the Grassland episode producer Nick Gates. In Northumberland the team record a battle between two males as they fight to mate with a female. In Northumberland the team record a battle between two males as they fight to mate with a female (pictured) But adders have an incredible sense of smell and males can detect a female on heat from 2km away, so other males will try to barge in. 'The scene encapsulates all the drama that wildlife here has to offer. The male will be tied to the female for over half an hour mating, but if other males turn up he has to fight them off; you can get 'mating balls' as five males fight over one female. Also in the series an entire sequence of white-tailed eagles hunting geese has been filmed for the first time. Over three years the team used drones and specialist cameras to film three pods of orcas. 'The UK is, I'm afraid to say, one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world,' says Sir David. The Shetlands is the only place in the British Isles where these mammals – our largest marine predator, reaching almost 10 metres long and weighing up to ten tons – can breed. 'They turn on their sides so that their dorsal fin doesn't break the surface and reveal their presence.' 'All these factors combine to create one of the richest natural histories in Europe.

Pick of the week Wild Isles Sunday, BBC1, 7pm Now a hale and hearty 96, David Attenborough has achieved an almost saintly status thanks to his devotion to ...

Kick-off at 8pm. Kick-off is at 8pm. In this highlights package from last night’s Academy Awards, we find out how they got on. Eddie O’Sullivan, Simon Zebo and Jamie Heaslip join Jacqui Hurley for the build up. Ireland are still on course for a grand slam but face a potential banana skin in Murrayfield against a Scottish side who’ve already beaten England and Wales. Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy present. Filmed in all seasons, the show contains spectacular footage of puffins fighting off gulls keen to poach their fish, golden eagles scavenging on snowy peaks, and sinister woodland plants ensnaring insects. Pick of the day Pick of the week Wild Isles Sunday, BBC1, 7pm Now a hale and hearty 96, David Attenborough has achieved an almost saintly status thanks to his devotion to all things natural, especially among the young. One reason for this area’s natural wealth is its diverse geology, and there’s also a great range in temperature, from Scotland’s frozen Cairngorms to subtropical conditions on England’s southern tip. The Late Late Show Home of the Year

Wild Isles reveals places such as Ham Hall RSPB reserve are as rich and diverse an ecosystem as Serengeti, says BBC.

“We have the potential to restore this nation not to its former glory but to a future glory. “It is one of the most astonishing feats in the natural world,” he said. The Levels are a good example of what can be done. The egrets, the dragonflies, the hobbies all came along too. “Actually it may have been the hardest.” Then they had the challenge of finding animal behaviour to film that had not been seen before. “In April it’s not warm and I sometimes had to stuff water bottles down my waders to keep things working.” King, 60, grew up on the Levels and has seen disastrous changes owing to intensive agriculture and industrial-scale peat extraction but he remains optimistic that there can be a bright future, a key message of the Wild Isles series. “There’s a misconception that this series might have been easier,” said Howard. “You get more of a free rein in some other places,” he said. “When you go to the Serengeti or the Arctic you know pretty much what you will get. There tends to be more red tape in the UK and Ireland than many far-flung locations.

The BBC episode, which has themes of the destruction of nature, is feared to spark a backlash from Tory politicians and the right-wing press.

The Match of the Day presenter got into hot water after he retweeted a Home Office video on its new Illegal Migration Bill and described it as "beyond awful". [Garry Lineker made comments on the Government's controversial asylum policy](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/gary-lineker-stepping-back-match-29427184). Senior sources at the BBC [told the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/10/david-attenborough-bbc-wild-isles-episode-rightwing-backlash-fears) that a decision was made not to release a sixth episode, which they claimed had already been filmed. The Mirror has approached the BBC for comment. But, BBC bosses have refuted the claims, stating that "there is no sixth episode". Reports had previously suggested the new series on British wildlife will not be shown to the public as the broadcaster is concerned the themes of destruction of nature would risk a backlash.

In the piece, the UK outlet quoted “senior sources at the BBC” who claimed the sixth episode of Wild Isles, a documentary series exploring natural Britain, ...

[Ian Wright](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ian-wright/) and [Alan Shearer](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/alan-shearer/) said they would also not be appearing, [as a show of support for their colleague](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ian-wright-match-of-the-day-gary-lineker-solidarity_uk_640b6f88e4b09c5c6d6ec521). “This is totally inaccurate, there is no ‘sixth episode’,” a spokesperson said. [Suella Braverman](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/suella-braverman) shared the [government’s plans](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclusive-suella-braverman-admits-immigration-crackdown-may-not-be-legal_uk_64072e62e4b0586db70fd939) to stop migrants crossing the Channel on small boats – saying the language used was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”. [Gary Lineker](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/../../../news/gary-lineker/) to “ [step back” as host of Match Of The Day](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gary-lineker-step-back-match-of-the-day_uk_640b5e5de4b01ea51226800e) until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media was found. [BBC](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/bbc/) has dismissed reports that it deliberately chose not to air one episode of [Sir David Attenborough](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/david-attenborough/)’s latest nature series due to concerns about a “rightwing backlash”. [a separate BBC controversy](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gary-lineker-step-back-match-of-the-day_uk_640b5e5de4b01ea51226800e) of a whole different nature, [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/10/david-attenborough-bbc-wild-isles-episode-rightwing-backlash-fears?CMP=twt_gu&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium#Echobox=1678460674) published an article with the headline: “BBC will not broadcast Attenborough episode over fear of ‘rightwing backlash’.”