Tom Heap: Countryfile host speaks out on wife's 'reluctance' over BBC show move
TOM HEAP - presenter and host on Countryfile - has opened up about his wife's behind-the-scenes "reluctance" to make a cameo on the BBC favourite.
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Tom Heap, 54, is a firm fixture on Countryfile alongside Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison, Adam Henson and Anita Rani among other famous faces. The presenter regularly fronts the BBC programme and he also is a Rural Affairs Correspondent for the BBC.
The investigative journalist has now spoken candidly about life in lockdown as the small-screen star filmed scenes of Countryfile at home.
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Tom explained he would cover his BBC segments from his back garden.
But the star admitted his wife Tammany Robin Stone expressed her "reluctance" after she made a "fleeting" appearance on the programme.
Speaking about his other half's show debut, Tom dished: "She did [Countryfile] once, somewhat reluctantly she's telling me over her shoulder.
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"We did a story about fishing focusing on the impact of fishing supplies and the restaurants being shut down.
"This was illustrated by a little BBQ in the back garden where my wife and number three son made an appearance. A fleeting appearance I must say."
Tom spoke of how the family cat Plum was also a regular fixture on Countryfile during the nationwide lockdown.
"The cat has made more of an appearance," the presenter chuckled.
"She's called Plum and she even got a speaking role at one point when [the cat] miaowed.
"She's been on the programme maybe three or four times."
Tom added: "Countryfile viewers love an animal, be it a cow or a tabby cat."
The BBC presenter married his partner Tammany in 1992, but has remained relatively tight-lipped on his family life.
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Meanwhile, Tom opened up about the programme's decision to continue filming for Countryfile during the lockdown and wanting to give viewers a good show.
"In all seriousness, my garden has been important because like it or not people have been watching telly," he commented.
"Viewers don't just want a series of dull Zoom interviews so we try as much as possible to give it the Countryfile feel."
Tom first broke into journalism as a sound mixer on Sky News before joining a trainee scheme with BBC News, and later worked on the Today programme, the BBC News 24 channel and Panorama.
He became a correspondent specialising in and around rural affairs, science and the environment and took on a newly created role as the Rural Affairs Correspondent for BBC News.
Tom has also worked on radio and hosted the BBC Radio 4 programme Costing the Earth.
After making contributions to Countryfile in 2012, he took over the investigative reporter role on the programme from John Craven.
Countryfile continues tonight on BBC One at 7pm.