Emmerdale viewers want to know what's happened to the McCain scarecrow idents
THERE were dramatic scenes on Emmerdale tonight but it seems that viewers were distracted by a more pressing issue: what happened to the McCain scarecrows?
The scarecrows in the ident
Loyal Emmerdale fans will be familiar with the cheeky scarecrows indents from chip makers McCain that are shown between the programme and the adverts. However, after a year of their antics the scarecrows appear to have been replaced by real families discussing the Emmerdale as they eat their dinner.
The adverts are reminiscent of Channel 4's Bafta-winning factual series Gogglebox, which features families commenting on television some of whom are tucking into a meal while they are watching.
The previous idents saw the scarecrows talking to one another and making funny comments, which included counting potatoes as a farmer collected them in a field and other remarks.
Viewers noticed the key ingredient was missing from their soap-viewing experience and took to social media immediately to campaign for the return of the scarecrows.
The scarecrows in the McCain adverts
The scarecrows have been on our screens for a year
Matt Holland posted on Twitter: "Bring back the scarecrows #emmerdale #mccain."
While Claire Kendrick drew parallels to Gogglebox, writing on the site: "That rubbish fake gogglebox by @McCainUK inbetween #emmerdale is awful!! Bring back the #scarecrows."
Fred Walton echoed their thoughts on the social media platform, posting: "#emmerdale Bring back the scarecrows this family that have replaced them are ruining the show #mccain."
Can't believe they've gotten rid of the scarecrows before emmerdale ?????? don't wanna watch people eating chips instead
— Aimée Storton (@AimeeStorton) October 6, 2015
Bring back the scarecrows #emmerdale #mccain
— Matt Holland (@mlholland) October 6, 2015
That rubbish fake gogglebox by @McCainUK inbetween #emmerdale is awful!! Bring back the #scarecrows
— claire kendrick (@clarabellebs) October 6, 2015
Dear @McCainUK - bring back the scarecrows. Now. #Emmerdale
— Noble Bachelorette (@_Mellers) October 6, 2015
#emmerdale Bring back the scarecrows this family that have replaced them are ruining the show #mccain
— Fred Walton (@fredwalton) October 6, 2015
Bring back the scarecrows on Emmerdale ad :( #Itv #Emmerdale #Adverts #advertising #tv
— Sammyyy Myers! (@pinksammy123) October 6, 2015
Emmerdale Spoiler - Zak confronts Cain over his attitude towards Kyle
The scarecrows in the McCain adverts overlooking the village
Bring back the scarecrows this family that have replaced them are ruining the show
"Where have the scarecrows gone at beginning of Emmerdale - I miss them !!!" said Christina.
Lily Llewellyn said: "Anyone else missing the scarecrows? #Emmerdale #McCain #itvdrama."
McCain's scarecrows idents were unveiled last year and was reported to be worth £8 million.
This week the company announced its latest campaign called The Nation's Teatime, which will feature real families in the TV adverts.
"We already use real families in our ads but this Autumn we are taking our focus on real teatimes a step further by asking families across the UK to take part, share their own teatime content for a chance to be on TV that very same day," Mark Hodge, marketing director at McCain told Talking Retail.
Express.co.uk has approached McCain for comment on this story.
Emmerdale continues on ITV on tomorrow at 7pm.