Countryfile’s veteran star John Craven made a big announcement during Sunday evening’s episode of the popular BBC show
John Craven shared incredible news about the Countryfile calendar(Image: BBC)
Countryfile viewers were stunned as presenter John Craven delivered thrilling news during this evening’s broadcast.
On Sunday’s episode (January 11) of the BBC programme, John revealed that the latest Countryfile calendar was available for purchase and had already generated over £1million for Children in Need, much to the presenter’s delight.
The prestigious Countryfile calendar competition has become a cornerstone of British photography competitions throughout the last three decades.
Last year, Ursula Armstrong’s stunning photograph entitled ‘Seal of Approval’ secured first place and featured on the cover of the 2025 Countryfile calendar.
The cherished BBC show then sought 12 fresh and remarkable photographs for the 2026 edition, all captured by viewers from around the country, reports the Express.
Images featured everything from wildlife and insects to flora and scenery, as long as they were shot within the UK. Winners secured their place in the magnificent new calendar, available for £11.99 including postage.
Sunday’s programme was marking a new beginning to the year in Northumberland, when John promoted the latest calendar and revealed its achievements to date.
He announced: “If you haven’t picked one of these up yet, well, they are on sale until January 31st. And I’m delighted to announce that so far the 2026 Countryfile Calender has raised for BBC Children in Need an incredible £1,776, 082.”
John continued: “So from all of us, to everyone who has bought one of our calendars and helped us raise that amount, a very, very big thank you.”
Despite the fantastic news that the calendar has generated such a substantial sum for charity, some Countryfile viewers found it amusing that it was being advertised during the second week of January.
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Taking to X, one viewer posted: “Omg late calendar plug #Countryfile”, whilst a second responded with laughing face emojis.
A third enquired: “Do we get the calendars cheaper as it’s almost the end of January ? #countryfile,” whilst another commented: “Probably not, everyone would do that, it’s what I do though, get my favourite calendar half price Boxing Day.”
The invitation for submissions to the new calendar was revealed in June 2025 during a Countryfile episode, with presenter Anita Rani observing: “The weird and wonderful landscape of Spurn Point would certainly make for an evocative photograph that could be entered into our photographic competition.”
John added: “Our country is blessed with an incredible array of beautiful settings and opportunities to capture on camera its wonderful wildlife.”
He went on enthusiastically: “So now, with summer upon us and the splendour of nature in full swing, it’s my great pleasure to launch our photographic competition. The theme this year is wild encounters.”
Countryfile airs Sundays at 6pm on BBC One and iPlayer.