Autumnwatch fans fume BBC bosses should 'hang their heads in shame' as show's return is blasted as 'pathetic and pointless' after major overhaul

Autumnwatch fans have blasted the BBC after the beloved nature series made it's long awaited return to TV, following its controversial axing last year.

The seasonal wildlife programme was dramatically shelved by bosses in February 2023 after 17 years amid 'challenging times financially'.

However, it made a surprise comeback on Tuesday, with a segment on The One Show, with another airing on Wednesday, as well as a Halloween special on Thursday.

But after eagerly waiting to see Autumnwatch host Chris Packham back on their screens, viewers were let down by the short clip, branding it a 'dreadful disappointment' and demanding the BBC brought the show back properly.

One Show hosts Roman Kemp and Clara Amfo introduced the segment, explaining they had teamed up with Autumnwatch this week and chatting to Chris via livestream.

Roman said: 'This week The One Show and Autumnwatch are joining forces to bring the brilliant sites of British wildlife to your front room. And we can actually go live now to Chris Packham. Chris tell us where abouts you are.'

Chris replied: 'Hello! Yes I'm here at Wytham Woods just outside Oxford. It's very very beautiful but it's also a very special place indeed.'

He went on to talk about the badgers of Wytham Woods, with live thermal cameras poised to capture footage of them as they lefts their sett at dusk.

Chris investigated how the badgers' diet will be changing at this time of year to make the most of the seasonal offerings.

While he also talked through the mental health benefits of being in an autumnal woodland and why it's worth taking the time to stop and notice the hidden treasures.

But despite being pleased to see Chris again, the short clip angered fans, who said it was 'pathetic' and showed that Autumnwatch needed to come back properly.

They took to social media to rage: 'Is that all we get for Autumn Watch... 5 flipping mins?? What a pointless segment that was. Hang your heads in shame BBC and bring back the proper programme.'

'Watching #TheOneShow only and I say only to see #Autumnwatch segment with #ChrisPackham how the decided to scrap this show which shows off the beautiful scenery and wildlife in our country, defies me #BringBackAutumnwatch'.

'Autumn Watch needs to come back properly. Not this 5 minute segment malarkey. The one show is unbearable and not worth the the pain for 5 minutes of actual interesting TV.'

'What a dreadful disappointment. autumn reduced to a few minutes on the One Show? Shame on you BBC, that was one of my absolute must-watch programmes every year. Wasting your money on Kuenssberg and Question time instead. Do better, BBC.'

'Should get the proper #AutumnWatch bbc2 series back!; I hate having to watch the one show to see just 5 minutes of #AutumnWatch It's f***ing insipid'.

'Fabulous to have 3 #Autumnwatch inserts into BUT 'cmon what we really need at this time of Climate Change is weeks of #Autumnwatch back on screen in all its glory inspiring us to #RestoreNatureNow!'

'AUTUMNWATCH!!! Pi***s me off that we get an endless feed of sodding sport ALL year round and the brilliant Autumnwatch gets crowbarred into 10 mins for a few nights on the One Show! Sick of paying licence fee for sports programmes!'

'This passed me by: Autumnwatch programme cancelled but instead a 6 minutes slot on The One Show?? This is NOT what I pay my licence fee for, ffs. No wonder kids, people in general, know so little or even care about the environment.'

'Sorry BBC, I'm not paying you a licence fee just for you to go and make Autumnwatch a segment on the f***ing One Show? Put it on properly you cowards'.

'Wow, is that all we get? 5 mins of Autumn Watch via the one show, completely pointless. Might as well not of bothered. Pathetic from the BBC.'

Autumnwatch first appeared on The One Show just three months after its axing in February last year.

In April 2023, furious viewers launched a petition after it was announced by the BBC that Autumnwatch would not take place in 2023 and beyond, to 'focus' its resources on content that has 'the highest impact'.

Announcing the cancellation of the show, a BBC spokesperson 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.

'We are incredibly proud of the Watches and would like to thank the presenters and production team who will continue on Springwatch when it returns in May for three weeks, and Winterwatch when it returns next year for one week, reduced from two weeks.'