BBC Countryfile viewers baffled just minutes into show as they spot issue
Countryfile fans were left bemused moments into the fresh segment of the BBC One show aired on Sunday. Presenters Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith ventured into Salisbury Plain, one of Britain's most expansive military training zones, to investigate the peculiar synergy the Ministry of Defence maintains with the terrain under its supervision.
The programme saw Charlotte and Matt given extraordinary security permission to step into Salisbury Plain, a key player in the UK's defence strategy and conservation efforts. The episode explored the Ministry's approach to juggling armed forces preparation with agricultural and environmental conservation activities.
Host Charlotte spoke to Warrant Officer Class 1 Jeff Elson (WO1) about his role of managing the activity across the area, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and he showed her a protected shell scrape, a hole dug by soldiers normally for an overnight stay to give them somewhere to sleep protected.
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However, viewers were left distracted by the fact that the officer's apperance. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "Make your mind up! Do you want to be seen or not? #countryfile".
Someone else said: "Soldier on countryfile wearing camouflage gear under a Hi Vis vest." Someone else said: "Solider wearing camouflage and Hi Vis vest."
While another echoed with a similar sentiment: "Solider wearing camouflage and Hi Vis vest."
Elsewhere in the programme, Matt donned his waders and joined forces with a passionate group dedicated to protecting a threatened chalk stream in the vicinity. The segment underscored the significance of preserving natural ecosystems and highlighted the struggles involved in conservation work.
In the most recent instalment, presenter Matt opened up about life with his spouse Nicola Mooney, jestingly remarking that their contrasting preferences make them akin to "chalk and cheese".
During an engaging chat on The MidPoint podcast with Gabby Logan, the topic of Nicola's "midlife shift" was broached, which led to a conversation about her passion for reading.
Matt laughingly confessed his lack of interest in literature, saying: "Yeah, well, she's written all of her life, and it's amazing how, you know, we are, in many respects, chalk and cheese. Like, I cannot read, and she never stops reading. Do you know what I mean? ".
"It's like these weird sort of magnets that attract you together. I suppose it's similar for you and Kenny because you're so kind of academic in that respect."
"And ever since I've known Nicola, she's written and written and written. She's done it as a hobby, and when she was younger, you know, talk about a swot."