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Springwatch presenter pulls out of launch with worrying health update

springwatch 2023,chris packham, michaela strachan, iolo williams, gillian burke,picture shows chris packham, michaela strachan, iolo williams, gillian burke photo taken in 2019,bbc,jo charlesworth
Springwatch presenter drops out after health issueJo Charlesworth - BBC

Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams has announced he has stepped down from the next season of the BBC Two show ahead of airing this Monday (May 29).

Welsh presenter Williams joined the TV show in 2019 but has pulled out of this season due to a health issue.

Williams took to social media on Friday (May 26) to share the news with his fans.

He posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed on Twitter with a thumbs up and said: "Unfortunately I can’t co-present BBC Springwatch this year.

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"I had a stent inserted in April, which released a clot, that, this week, caused an embolism!"

Making light of the situation, he added: "My demise has been greatly exaggerated; thanks to brilliant friends, wonderful family & the excellent NHS. Go Megan & team SW!"

He tagged fellow Springwatch presenters Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and Michaela Strachan in the post.

springwatch,iolo williams,bbc,jo charlesworth
Jo Charlesworth - BBC

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Co-host McCubbin shared a tweet about stepping in this season for Williams, and said: "I’m looking forward to joining the BBC Springwatch team again this year to co-present the show! I’ll be heading down to RSPB Arne to get stuck in with some of the best nature stories around! Wanting to wish my good friend Iolo Williams a speedy recovery.

"We shall all miss him massively!"

Williams' post was met with an outpouring of love and support, with thousands of fans of the show sending him well wishes.

Although he has not announced a return date, viewers can expect to see him on BBC Two at some point in the future.

springwatch,megan mccubbin,bbc,jo charlesworth
Jo Charlesworth - BBC

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Earlier this year, the BBC announced Autumnwatch would not be going ahead.

The broadcaster said that the long-running show, which was hosted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke, was not financially viable in the current climate.

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.

"We are incredibly proud of the Watches and would like to thank the presenters and production team who will continue on Springwatch when it returns in May for three weeks, and Winterwatch when it returns next year for one week, reduced from two weeks."

Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch are all available to stream via BBC iPlayer.


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