Winterwatch returned to BBC Two on Tuesday (January 10) with a fresh series led by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams, broadcasting live from the National Trust's Mount Stewart estate in Northern Ireland. The trio explored bullfinches, pine martens, red squirrels, badgers and otters before introducing a new feature.
Midway through the programme, Chris appeared to have 'lost' his fellow presenters, who dramatically re-emerged wearing green velvet cloaks in homage to The Traitors, which airs on BBC One at 8pm. Michaela explained: 'The Traitors is amazing, Chris. That is why we are actually on at 7pm instead of 8pm because Traitors is on at 8pm and we didn't want to clash.' Chris, confessing he'd never watched the show, stared blankly and responded: 'No..'
Michaela then tugged her bobble hat down over her eyes to mimic Claudia Winkleman's trademark fringe while introducing a segment called Nature's Traitors, accompanied by the eerie theme tune from The Traitors. Viewers took to Twitter to voice frustrations, with one writing: '#Winterwatch I'm with Chris, don't care about the Traitors program and thought I'd get away from it watching Winterwatch.' Another commented: 'This is a stupid feature. I couldn't give a t**s about the Traitors, stop going on about it.'
Despite the criticism, many viewers were delighted the programme had returned. One shared: 'As if this day couldn't get any more wonderfully chaotic and inadvertently hilarious, Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams are on live with #Winterwatch.' Another praised: 'Great shout #winterwatch to do nature's traitors. Human #TheTraitors, you had better watch out! Good, lighthearted piece, yet feeling educated.'
