Countryfile

Countryfile viewers were quick to share their excitement on Sunday night over a huge show update

Countryfile favourite John Craven shared a heartwarming show update on Sunday’s episode.

The latest instalment saw presenter Anita Rani continue her east coast road trip, visiting a nature reserve on the Essex coast and also joining a group of fossil hunters on the search for new historical treasures.

However, BBC show veteran John, 85, issued an important show update halfway through the episode as he revealed that the 2026 Countryfile Photographic Competition is now open. This year’s theme is Signs of the Seasons.

Anita, 48, said: “I could take a photograph in any direction and capture a moment in time, a perfect day at a British seaside resort. There’s buckets and spades, there’s ice creams, there’s dogs running around, we’ve got the lot. And if you want to enter our photographic competition in aid of Children In Need, then here’s our John with the details.”

John then appeared in a pre-recorded segment to promote the competition, saying: “From dramatic landscapes to fleeting wildlife moments, there are certain things that really capture the feel of the season and make you want to stop and reach for your camera. And that’s exactly what we want to celebrate in this year’s photographic competition.

“Our theme is Signs of the Seasons. So get out into the summer with your cameras during the next few weeks, but also check through your camera galleries for shots that you might have taken in winter, autumn or spring because we want photographs that really show the beauty of the British countryside right through the year.”

John then explained: “From all the entries received, 12 photographs will be selected to star in the Countryfile calendar for 2027. All in support of BBC Children in Need.

“Once all the entries are in, a panel of judges will choose the winning photos to appear in the Countryfile calendar 2027, sold in aid of BBC Children in Need. And then the overall winning image will be chosen by you, the Countryfile viewers.

“Not only will that picture feature on the cover of the calendar, but the winner will also get a £1,000 gift card to spend on photographic equipment of their choice. And whoever takes the judge’s favourite photo will receive a gift card for £500 to spend on their choice of photographic equipment.”

After explaining the terms and conditions, and how to apply as well as find out more information, John ended his segment with: “So now it’s over to you. The very best of luck, and we can’t wait to see your Signs of the Seasons.”

Taking to social media to respond to the show update, one person said: “Looking forward to entering!” with a hands up emoji to which another account shared heart emojis over the announcement.

Meanwhile, another show watcher quipped: “Blimey! I swear the #Countryfile Calendar competition comes round earlier every year! Better get the sprouts on!” to which a different viewer joked: “Christmas tree up!”

Countryfile airs on Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Countryfile presenter Matt Baker and his wife Nicola have opened up about how they manage time apart due to his filming commitments

Matt Baker shared a rare insight into his marriage.

In a previous interview on ITV’s Lorraine, broadcast last year, Matt Baker and his wife offered candid insight into how they keep their relationship thriving despite lengthy stretches apart owing to Matt’s filming schedule.

As the conversation turned to Matt’s TV series and Nicola’s book, host Lorraine Kelly quizzed the couple on how they first met.

With a cheeky grin, she asked: “Now, you two met when you were babies, right? Teenagers. Nicola, were you into farming? Were you a farm girl?”

“No, I wasn’t a farm girl,” Nicola replied warmly. “I loved being outdoors. I loved just the outdoor life. But farming was something that came to me when we met.”

Lorraine then turned her attention to how the couple copes with prolonged time apart, particularly when Matt heads off to film Countryfile and other projects. She probed: “Obviously, you know, you go off and do your own thing writing the books, and you go off and do your own thing around Britain,” reports the Express.

She continued thoughtfully: “So there are times when you’re apart, but you don’t think sometimes that works. It just does. You know, you’ve always got something to talk about.”

“We are such do-ers, really,” Matt chipped in, adding: “We are so supportive of what each other wants to do.”

He concluded: “But yeah, we’ve just sort of found our way through because we sort of focus on what we’re passionate about.” Nicola offered her take on their situation: “And then we make the most of the time when we have together, you sort of prioritise that and make the most of that.”

When Matt isn’t busy filming, he often keeps his Instagram followers updated with his day-to-day life. In one of his most recent posts, the Countryfile presenter shared the heartbreaking news that his dog had died.

In an emotional social media post, Matt confirmed the loss of his cherished companion, writing: “R.I.P Bob”.

He wrote alongside the post: “It’s with a very heavy heart that I’m letting you know our wonderful Bob is no longer with us.

“He’s been gone a while, but I haven’t been able to talk about it as I’ve been finding it so incredibly sad. Bob was a brilliant dog. He was there for me with his gentle soul as the ultimate companion through some of the greatest chapters of my life, from raising our kids to all the changes we made on our family farm.”

He continued, “It’s broken my heart, but I feel hugely grateful to have had him in our lives, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for everything he’s taught me and brought to our family.

“I’m sure all you dog lovers will agree the reason we love our dogs so much is because the only time they break our hearts is when they leave us. RIP Bob X.”

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9.30am on ITV and Countryfile airs on Sunday on BBC One.