BBC Three's flagship show 'The Fast and the Farmer-ish' has been slammed as 'cringe' and 'rubbish' amid a row on the channel being brought back only to air 'downmarket reality TV'.
The channel, which targets viewers aged 15-35, was moved to an online-only offering on iPlayer in February 2016 in a bid to save £30million a year, with the budget redistributed to fund dramas on BBC One.
But it returned to TV screens again at the start of the month - showing a mix of reality shows and competitions, including it's latest offering which sees British farmers race each other in 'souped-up' tractors.
The title is a playful take on cult racing moving Fast & Furious and sees groups from across the UK compete 'spectacular, high-octane agricultural challenges'.
However, the show has been criticised with one viewer branding it 'a load of absolute b*******'.
BBC Three's flagship show 'The Fast and the Farmer-ish' has been slammed as 'cringe' and 'rubbish' amid a row on the channel being brought back only to air 'downmarket reality TV'.
Each episode puts two teams of three young farmers head to head as they test their favourite tractors to determine which is best. It's hosted by real-life Lancashire farmer Tom Pemberton, who has become an Instagram sensation racking up 112,000 followers sharing snaps and tales about rural life in Lancashire.
Programmes about farm life have become an unlikely ratings hit across traditional TV with shows like Our Yorkshire Farm and All Creatures Great and Small being widely viewed on Channel 5.
It is thought BBC bosses hope to attract a young audience to the show.
A spokesman previously told the i: 'With 11 million people living in rural areas of the UK and about a quarter of these under 30, The Fast And The Farmer(ish) provides a glimpse into the lives of young farmers, in an entertaining new competitive series which showcases tractor-driving talent.'
And while some branded the show 'fun' and 'high octane tractor racing madness with the rather ace Tom Pemberton' others questioned if it was a waste of license payer's money.
'Defo not the best viewing, turned off after 10 minutes' said one.
Each episode puts two teams of three young farmers head to head as they test their favourite tractors to determine which is best. It's hosted by real-life Lancashire farmer Tom Pemberton, who has become an Instagram sensation racking up 112,000 followers sharing snaps and tales about rural life in Lancashire.
'I'm having issues with the girls being s*** at it, and being so stereotypically squeaky' said another.
'They have to air cheap to make stuff like this as the funding to screen serious drama just isn't there, shame,' one said.
'The Fast and the Farmer-ish is giving me the cringes in a BIG way,' tweeted one fan.
'BBC Three have clearly asked these farmers to cut mullets and it doesn't sit right,' another wrote.
The show has also got mixed reviews from critics. The Times gave it two stars, with reviewer Carol Midgey writing: 'It really is that basic, yet still quite therapeutic to watch. It looks like it was made on a budget of £3.50, which, given the BBC's finances, is a good thing.'
The Guardian described it as a 'the antidote to University Challenge' in a four-star review, adding: 'two thirds of the team are made up of unacceptable mullet wearers'.
However, the show has been criticised with one viewer branding it 'a load of absolute b*******'.
The Telegraph also gave it two stars, noting: 'Judging by the first of seven episodes, it's essentially the silly stunts from the old, non-woke Top Gear only with tractors rather than Lamborghinis. And with mullet-sporting Gen-Zers instead of Jeremy Clarkson trapped in his dad jeans....
BBC Three is home to hits like Normal People, Fleabag and Killing Eve but in the past has been a hub for downmarket reality TV programming like Eating With My Ex, Don't Tell the Bride and Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents.
The move to go back to 'linear TV' was described as a 'step backwards' by MP Julian Knight when it was first announced last year in an apparent bid to win back viewers, after figures showed that viewing of BBC Three content was down 72 per cent in the 12 months to November 2019.
