BBC to axe wildlife series featuring Iolo Williams after 14 years
Amelia Jones
A BBC wildlife series, featuring Welsh presenter Iolo Williams, has been cancelled after 14 years as part of the broadcaster’s latest commissioning changes.
Winterwatch, which explored British wildlife during the winter months, was fronted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Anglesey-born Iolo Williams, who joined the presenting team in 2019.
It showcased various aspects of British wildlife during the harsher, colder months, with its live video feeds and thermal cameras capturing creatures in the wild.
The show has also showcased Welsh locations, including Tŷ Canol National Nature Reserve in Pembrokeshire, a magical and ancient woodland filled with mosses and lichens.
Additionally, Williams broadcasted from The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth during the 2021 series.
The show also frequently used smaller filming spots across the varied habitats of Pembrokeshire to capture pre-recorded stories about local wildlife.
The decision forms part of the BBC’s recently announced “evolving commissioning strategy”, which has seen a number of programmes dropped as the broadcaster reshapes its factual output.
Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, said: “Nature never stops – and neither should we.
“Every week, Naturewatch will give Springwatch fans – and all wildlife lovers – a new way to stay connected to the natural world, whether that’s on TV, iPlayer or Sounds.
“The BBC is committed to celebrating British nature across all our platforms, and we hope this new series will encourage audiences to fall in love with the natural world around them.
He continued: “By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”
Fan reaction
Fans of Winterwatch have shared their sadness, with some urging the BBC to reconsider. One commented: “The further we drift away from nature, the more we won’t care when it’s destroyed.”
Another added: “OH NO. I LOVE THIS PROGRAM!”
It has also been confirmed that Springwatch will return in May 2027 for three weeks.
Instead of Winterwatch, a new video podcast, with the working title Naturewatch, is coming to BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
Launching this autumn, it will provide a regular round-up of the biggest British nature stories every week.
It will celebrate seasonal wildlife moments, explore nature news, talk to experts, and share remarkable animal sightings from across the UK.
Each weekly episode will be accompanied by a special audio-only Q&A programme, exclusive to BBC Sounds, where hosts will answer audience questions about the natural world.
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I have a friend from Yorkshire. He says the only reason he watches the programme is because of Iolo Williams. He wishes the BBC would ditch the ‘strange’ Packham.
What a lovely story.
Iolo is a far better presenter than Packam and more knowlegable. Once again the BBC is canceling some of the best presenters in favour of those who self promote themselves!!!
This isn’t a competition, you know. They all work on the same programme AND IT”S BEEN CANCELLED. Maybe get angry about that rather than just being weird and having a go at Chris Packham; who is as knowledgeable on matters nature as any other presenter out there.
For me, that’s one step closer to cancelling my licence. When Springwatch goes that will be it.
“Weird”? Iolo is the sole presenter and he doesn’t get mixed up with politics!!!
Chris Packham is on the money all the time. It’s the politics that ruin the UK nature, the ones with the deepest pockets and afford the expensive lobby companies and make our protections worse. The bloke has horrendous abuse for saying the quiet bits out loud and calling on politicians to do their jobs better.
The whole team is excellent.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/02/defra-breached-law-farmers-bee-killing-pesticide-watchdog
Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, continued: “By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”
Newspeak of the highest order. How is cancelling Winterwatch, and replacing it with some crappy video blog filmed by a handful of underpaid broadcast assistants ‘expanding the brand’?
If they want to save a few quid, then let them get rid of the snoozefest that is Wimbledon.
What a shame. Iolo Williams, Chris Packham, and Michaela Strachan are great wildlife presenters. What, is the BBC giving Graham Norton a pay rise?
How sad. All the crappy soaps,dramas and reality rubbish, yet quality nature programme takes a hit. Why can’t we actually choose what programmes we pay a licence for rather than have someone else. If it ends up on Internet only then we should be able to pay per hours viewed.
I’ve always been an advocate for an impartial public broadcast service, but some of the BBC’s programming decisions beg lots of questions!
Perhaps we can apply each pound of our £180 annual license fee to 180 individual programmes of our choice!
I’d happily give a ‘thumbs up’ to 180 programmes; the likes of Planet Earth, Pobol y Cwm, Peaky Blinders etc. (Not so much to Mrs Brown’s Boys and Gladiators!)