BBC bosses have blasted reports they pulled an episode of Sir David Attenborough's Wild Isles series over fears of backlash from Tory MPs, described the claims as "inaccurate". A Guardian article said the broadcaster had "bowed to pressure" after deciding not to air a sixth episode of David Attenborough's Wild Isles that focuses on natural destruction on TV.
It was claimed the episode hosted by Sir David would be kept just on the BBC iPlayer streaming platform, rather than being shown on TV. The reason given for this decision were that its thematic focus on the loss of the natural world would "risk a backlash from Tory politicians and the rightwing press".
However, after the story was published earlier today (March 10), the BBC issued a statement saying the reports were untrue. It added that the plan for the series - produced by the BBC's Natural History Unit in Bristol - to have five episodes, but with a separate film produced just for the iPlayer.
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In a tweet which tagged the Guardian, the BBC's Press Office said: "This is totally inaccurate, there is no ‘6th episode’. Wild Isles is – and always was - a five-part series.
"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."
The film is expected to focus on the gradual loss of biodiversity and natural life in the UK and what factors are behind this saddening trend.
The BBC's response to the Guardian report came shortly after it confirmed Gary Lineker would not be presenting tomorrow's Match of the Day following tweets he sent comparing language used by the Conservatives in relation to its illegal migration policy to that used by the Nazis in 1930s Germany. A spokesman for the BBC said Lineker would "step back" from the show until there is "an agreed and clear position on his use of social media".
However, the decision has received heavy criticism, with Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright saying he will not appear on tomorrow's show in "solidarity" with Lineker.
Wild Isles premieres on BBC One at 7pm on Sunday, March 12.
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