BBC says there is no 6th episode of David Attenborough's Wild Isles

Earlier today The Guardian claimed that the BBC had decided not to air an episode of the programme "because of fears its themes of the destruction of nature would risk a backlash from Tory politicians and the rightwing press".

Attenborough's show is set to look at the beauty of nature in the British Isles, with five episodes set to broadcast.

The Guardian claimed that a sixth episode had been filmed taking a "stark look at the losses of nature in the UK and what has caused the declines".

David Attenborough will narrate the five episode of Wild Isles

They said that this 'sixth episode' would be available on BBC iPlayer, but not broadcast on live TV.

Allegedly senior sources at the BBC told the Guardian that the decision not to show the sixth episode was made to fend off potential critique from the political right.

How did the BBC respond to this?

Responding directly to The Guardians's story, BBC Press tweeted that this 'sixth episode; was in fact a separate film entirely.

They tweeted: "This is totally inaccurate, there is no ‘6th episode’. Wild Isles is – and always was - a 5 part series.

This is totally inaccurate, there is no ‘6th episode’. Wild Isles is – and always was - a 5 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. @guardian pic.twitter.com/qbbOs8efvJ

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) March 10, 2023

"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. @guardian".

When news of the supposed decision came out it had seen the BBC come under fire.

This was coupled with news that they had asked Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day following his tweets criticising Home Office policy on asylum seekers.

Wild Isles begins airing on BBC One at 7 pm on Sunday, March 12.