The secret of Countryfile’s success? No sex or swearing!
ATTRACTING more than eight million viewers, it constantly beats big budget shows in the TV ratings war.
And Countryfile’s John Craven claims the key to the BBC programme’s success is no sex, no swearing and a regular Sunday timeslot.
The presenter, 77, said the show, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, helps viewers relax at the end of a long weekend thanks to its squeaky clean image. It first aired on Sunday mornings but was bumped up to a prime-time slot a decade ago and Craven says the switch has worked in its favour.
‘After a busy weekend, it’s the ideal time to relax and spend a vicarious hour in the countryside,’ he told the Radio Times.
‘There will be sights to lift your heart and moments to cause you concern, but there will be no swearing, no questionable taste and no sex, unless it involves animals at a distance.’
Craven, who joined in 1989, did reveal that the programme also managed to attract a surprising audience in its early slot – hungover university students.
‘When we transmitted on Sunday mornings we had an unexpected fan club among students slowly coming round after lively Saturday nights,’ he said.
‘We provided a gentle awakening, and one classic video on YouTube showed half- a- dozen of them sprawled bleary-eyed around their digs with me on the television chatting away in some idyllic setting.’
Fellow presenter Anita Rani has spoken of the show’s ‘Britishness’ being a big appeal but she has now revealed one aspect she finds less appealing – the clothes she has to wear. ‘I have a real issue with outdoor gear because I really like fash- ion and clothes,’ said the 40-yearold. ‘I’ve been on Countryfile for four years now and I’m still trying to avoid waterproof trousers but they’re essential.
‘When it’s been chucking it down and you’re outdoors all day waterproof trousers will save you and I’ve learnt the hard way.
‘After every Countryfile shoot I’m on the train back to London stinking of something. Every Friday.
‘Also you’ve got seven layers on because you’ve been standing outside all day and all of a sudden you’re just sweltering.’
It doesn’t help that, according to Craven, presenters are not allowed umbrellas because of the ‘pitterpatter’ noise they make in the rain.
He went on to reveal that he had no plans to retire. ‘As long as I can walk up hills, think and speak clearly and still look forward to my days out on location I would love to keep on Countryfiling,’ he said. ‘But who knows?’
The show’s 30th anniversary special will air on BBC One this Sunday at 7pm.
‘The ideal time to relax’