BBC will not broadcast final Attenborough episode over fear of 'rightwing backlash'

The BBC strongly denied this was the case and insisted the episode in question was never intended to be broadcast.

- Helena Horton

The BBC has decided not to broadcast an episode of David Attenborough's flagship new series on British wildlife because of fears its themes of the destruction of nature would risk a backlash from Tory politicians and the rightwing press, the Guardian has been told.

The decision has angered the programme-makers and some insiders at the BBC, who fear the corporation has bowed to pressure from lobbying groups with "dinosaurian ways".

The BBC's highly anticipated new series, Wild Isles, looks at the beauty of nature in the British Isles. It is expected to be a hit, with five episodes scheduled to go out in primetime slots on BBC One.

A sixth episode has also been filmed, which is understood to be a stark look at the losses of nature in the UK and what has caused the declines. It is also understood to include some examples of rewilding, a concept that has been controversial in some right-wing circles.

The documentary series was part-funded by nature charities the WWF and RSPB, but the final episode will not be broadcast along with the others and will instead be available only on the BBC's iPlayer service. All six episodes are narrated by Attenborough and made by the production company Silverback Films, responsible for previous series including Our Planet, in collaboration with the BBC Natural History Unit.