Countryfile star blames lack of money for poor quality of some shows
COUNTRYFILE star Tom Heap has said the budget for the popular show is "very tight", which sometimes impacts on the quality of the show and leaves him feeling "constrained".
The rural affairs show, which has beaten The X Factor in ratings battles, has sometimes not been able to afford a few hundred pounds for the use of a drone, the presenter said.
Heap said that he is confident the show has a future, but thinks it needs to move with the times.
The budget is tight, very tight, for such a popular programme.
He said: "There is no reason it can't go on, I would say it needs to evolve to survive.
"I don't think revolutionary change is what it's about, but I think staying alert to changes that are going on in society and the countryside, both in the audience we are broadcasting to and those that we are filming [is important]. But I don't see why it can't continue.
"We have a very good slot and as long as the lords of the BBC keep us there that will help, and as long as they don't cut the budget to the bone as well.
"The budget is tight, very tight, for such a popular programme."
Asked if that has an impact on the show and their ability to do what they want, he replied: "Yes it does."
He continued: "We would like to do bigger investigations and the budget makes that difficult, in terms of people time and camera time.
Countryfile's Ellie Harrison tries oysters and HATES them
"If we are a journalistic outfit, we are called the investigations unit, sometimes a little bit more room on that would be very handy.
"And when you are one of the BBC's premium brands, that occasionally would feel a little bit constricting."
Heap said this sometimes impacts upon "smaller things", adding: "We will be out filming something and there are times you can't afford a couple of hundred quid for a drone, and you think that would really advance the piece.
"I wouldn't be able to put my finger on individual issues, but some things maybe require undercovers, time to follow things, where you can't just turn up and film on schedule, and those could be things we struggle to do.
"I'm sure all BBC programmes say they want more budget, we are not unique in that, but I do feel we are constrained.
"I don't know the figures, but per audience member we must be one of the cheapest programmes on the BBC."
Heap will join the rest of the Countryfile presenters when Countryfile Live returns to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from August 3 to 6.
The event, which features live arena shows, hands-on activities and animal displays, attracted 125,000 people last year.
Full show information and tickets are available now from www.countryfilelive.com.