Michaela Strachan admits BBC has ‘sometimes gone too far’ with climate crisis cries in Packham-led shows

But in more recent years, the Beeb has woven in calls for action and devoted plenty of airtime to climate change.

It’s a topic the BBC faces criticism for each time, not just as a result of the Watch series but for the likes of Countryfile, Planet Earth and other nature documentaries.

In fact, Packham found himself embroiled in a spat with fellow celeb Jeremy Clarkson when the former Top Gear star openly criticised Planet Earth III for its climate change preaching.

Not shying away from the criticism the Beeb’s wildlife series has faced, Strachan said: “This year has been very tough, with two wars and a cost-of-living crisis.

“Our news is filled with heartbreakingly sad images. People now realise we’re not facing climate change but climate crisis.

“It feels like everywhere you go, someone’s building or dredging something.”

Strachan conceded in her interview with Radio Times, however: “Sometimes we’ve gone too far and people have told us that’s not what they come to the programme for… our role is also to uplift and empower.

“Our viewers are caring people who want to make a difference but don’t always know how, so we’ll offer ideas for citizen science or celebrate unsung heroes, whether they’re rewilding estates or putting up a few nest boxes.

“We need that more than ever this year – although sadly, we seem to say that every year…”

Packham also spoke to the same publication but instead felt it was his “job to motivate” change in the world, not feeling his shows have gone “too far”.

After all, Packham put his face to a documentary last year that pondered over the conundrum of whether or not it was ethical to break the law in the name of climate action and has suggested Westminster be covered in solar panels.

“There was a time when we ignored the bigger picture, but we integrate climate breakdown and biodiversity loss into most of our conversations now,” Packham said.