The BBC has hit back at claims that it pulled an episode of the new Sir David Attenborough series due to fears of a political backlash.
The first of five episodes of Wild Isles is set to begin on BBC One on Sunday evening and aims to showcase the natural wonders of the UK and Ireland, with parts of the first episode filmed in the Farne Islands on the Northumberland Coast. It has been funded by nature charities WWF and the RSPB with support from the Open University, and produced by Silverback Films, who are behind many landmark BBC nature shows.
However, Guardian article on Friday afternoon claimed that a sixth episode of the Wild Isles series, called Save Our Wild Isles, had been pulled to avoid criticism from Tory MPs and right-wing newspapers. A further instalment, Save Our Wild Isles, is to be broadcast on iPlayer in the future, showing the damage being wrought on our local wildlife and explores topics such as rewilding.
Read more: New Sir David Attenborough BBC series Wild Isles to star Northumberland on Sunday night
The Guardian said BBC insiders had claimed the corporation was bowing to pressure from lobbying groups by broadcasting it only online. The revelation has added to further controversy for the BBC, which has come under fire for "deciding" Gary Lineker had to step back from presenting Match of the Day amid his criticism of the Government's "cruel" asylum policy on Twitter; and Question Time host Fiona Bruce was accused of trivialising domestic abuse.
Regarding Save Our Wild Isles, a spokesperson from the BBC said: "This is totally inaccurate, there is no sixth episode. Wild Isles is – and always was – a five-part series and does not shy away from environmental content.
"We have acquired a separate film for iPlayer from the RSPB and WWF and Silverback Films about people working to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the British Isles."
A joint statement from WWF, the RSPB and the National Trust, said: "Saving Our Wild Isles, which the Guardian article is referring to, is a complementary documentary to the Wild Isles TV series. Saving Our Wild Isles is produced by Silverback, commissioned by WWF, National Trust and RSPB, and will be available on iPlayer. A date will be announced in due course.
"This is a separate film to the series, created by Silverback, WWF, National Trust and RSPB. BBC acquired the film for iPlayer."
An Open University spokesperson said: "We are proud to lend our academic expertise and co-produce Wild Isles with the BBC which consists of five episodes. Saving Our Wild Isles is a separate film inspired by the series that was commissioned by the RSPB and WWF and does not have input from the Open University."
Sir David said of the series: "In my long life, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to almost every part of the globe and gaze upon some of its most beautiful and dramatic sights. But I can assure you that nature in these islands, if you know where to look, can be just as dramatic and spectacular as anything I’ve seen elsewhere.
"The British Isles are globally important for nature. In this series we’ll show you why that is so and celebrate the wonders of these islands that we call home."
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