Michaela Strachan is 'disappointed' after Autumnwatch axe but she's focusing on the positives
Michaela Strachan is trying to "focus on the positives" after 'Autumnwatch' got cancelled.
The 56-year-old star - who joined the show in 2011 alongside presenter Chris Packham and also fronted the likes of 'Springwatch' and 'Winterwatch' throughout the year - has addressed the BBC's decision to make some big changes to its schedule.
As well as 'Autumnwatch' being scrapped by the broadcaster, 'Winterwatch' will be on air for just one week instead of two.
Asked for her thoughts on the changes, she told the Metro newspaper's Sixty Seconds column: "I've been overwhelmed at all the comments about 'Autumnwatch' and the BBC's decision to axe it this year.
"It goes to show how treasured the 'Watches' are!
"Of course it's disappointing, but let's focus on the positives - 'Springwatch' is not far away and we're going to work hard to make it a corker."
The show began as a one-off special in 2005 before going to a full series the following year and the broadcaster said that it is "incredibly proud" of the 'Watches' series and thanked its long list of presenters from over the years - which included the likes of Kate Humble, Gillian Burke, Megan McCubbin, and Iolo Williams.
In a statement, the BBC said: "These are challenging times financially and we need to make difficult decisions and focus our resources on content that has the highest impact. Sadly, this means that 'Autumnwatch' will not be continuing. Instead, we are investing more money into 'Springwatch' and 'Winterwatch', as they are most popular with audiences."
News of the cancellation comes just weeks after Chris - who has fronted the 'Watches' series since 2009 – announced that he had axed his upcoming TV work after suffering from burnout and is taking a break for the next few months so he can pursue a career as an animal sculptor.
He said: "I want to get off the treadmill, [I feel] a bit burnt out. I'm not going to buy a Ferrari and run off with a 20-year-old! I've never taken three months off work. Never. I can barely sleep I am so excited. I might have to ban [partner] Charlotte from the studio. "I don't want any interference or disruption, I want to get on with it. It will be good to clear my head and focus on something completely different."
