Countryfile fans stunned as Tom Heap ‘breaks the first rule of the countryside’ with major blunder

THOSE who tuned in to Sunday’s episode of Countryfile couldn’t contain their frustration at its presenter, Tom Heap.

Tom, 56, has hosted the BBC show for a decade, but according to fans, just “broke the first rule of the countryside”.

During the latest episode, Tom explored the risks that avian flu is currently posing to Britain’s wild birds.

The flu is currently causing havoc across the UK, with over 20 small Scottish islands asking those who aren’t residents to avoid visiting.

Countryfile headed to a chicken farm in Scotland not too far from a recent outbreak, where Tom learnt all about the devastating impact it has on farmers.

Speaking to the camera, the host explained: “Last winter and spring this year, more than 100 wild geese were found dead after a suspected bird flu outbreak at the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, north of Edinburgh. 

“Just three miles away, poultry farmer Jimmy Smith has nearly 40,000 hens to protect.”

He then talked about how tight Jimmy’s security is, adding: “he’s taking biosecurity pretty seriously,” as a shot of Tom arriving on CCTV could be seen on-screen.

The heavily-guarded farm had plenty of surveilence cameras, fences, and high-security gates.

Tom told the camera: “Well the gates and signs make it pretty clear.”

Jimmy met Tom at the entrance, and after dipping his shoes in an anti-bacterial liquid, the star made his way into the farm, through the gates.

He then continued to chat with Jimmy: “So the biosecurity matters for people as well as birds flying over?”

Jimmy answered: “Very much. It’s anything to control bird flu that can come in through transmission.

“It’s a restricted site and only the people who are collecting the hens or delivering the feed are allowed in, along with the vets and the nutritionist.”

Despite the chat about high security, fans couldn’t help but pick up on a huge mistake Tom had made.

After heading in through the security gate, the presenter left it wide open, and he and owner Jimmy could be seeing walking away from it, deep in conversation.

Viewers took to Twitter to discuss what happened.

One wrote: “Does everything possible to keep bird flu out, then walks off leaving the gate open”

A second agreed: “Isn’t the first rule of the countryside to close the gate behind you?”

As another commented: “High Security chicken farm. But, left the gate open #countryfile.”