A COUNTRYFILE star has slammed rival show, Gardeners' World for not appealing to younger viewers, and demanded the BBC to "move with the times".
Over the years, the gardening expert has appeared on a variety of nature series on the BBC.
In a recent interview, James Wong, 42 didn't hold back when expressing his thoughts on the portrayal of gardening on television.
Taking a swipe at rival show Gardeners' World, Wong urged the BBC to "move with the times" and adapt their approach to engage younger audiences.
James explained that young people are getting into gardening through social media platforms like Instagram and Tiktok, these days.
The botanist advised Gardeners' World executives to move with "the times" to lure younger viewers to horticulture shows.
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He continued: "I was watching Geoff Hamilton and he was just my hero as a kid, I would just absolutely worship everything he would do but I think it's important to move with the times."
James went on to say that the "kind of gardens that they focus on" in the series may not be representative of a youthful audience.
He said: "I sometimes wonder whether the kind of gardens that they focus on – and this is beginning to change – are representative of an audience and whether that audience can feel like they can see themselves in that."
The BBC star added: "If you are only showing rolling hills in Dorset, with walled gardens and beautiful glass houses that are historic, it makes great TV (but) does it make you feel like you could get involved?"
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Wong's call for change comes at a time when gardening has seen a surge in popularity, particularly among young people who are all about finding solace in nature and practicing sustainable living.
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