Countryfile viewers startled as John Craven appears naked in the bath in throwback clip

Countryfile viewers were left startled as a selection of throwback clips from John Craven's time presenting the show included him naked in a bathtub.

The 80-year-old presenter of the popular BBC show was celebrating his 1,250th episode as a host on the counrtyside and farming show, as well as more than 50 years at Auntie Beeb.

With 30 years on Countryfile to be celebrated, there was a montage of throwback clips from his time over the past four decades as he showcased some of his favourite places in Britain and tasks his undertaken for the show.

What piqued the interest of viewers and got them heading to social media to share their thoughts on Twitter, was when John was getting in some practice for a snorkelling exercise.

Countryfile viewers were startled as presenter John Craven appears naked in a bathtub (BBC)

In the short clip, John appeared to be naked under the bubbles of his bath with only a rubber duck to help protect his modesty as he tried on a snorkel for size.

John says to the camera in the throwback clip: "I'm in training for a challenge Charlotte [Smith] set me when she went snorkelling in Wales."

There were a few raised eyebrows and spluttering of evening teas when the clip showed and one startled viewer tweeted: "Oh good Lord. Crave in the bath. I can't unsee that. #BrainBleach."

John Craven was celebrating 1,250 episodes and 30 years on the show (BBC Studios/Pete Dadds)

Another added that they saw more than what they wanted to see, tweeting: "Cravster in the bath. Toooo much!!!!????"

At the beginning of the show, John's opening monologue about his time on the show did not hint at the risqué clip to come to close proceedings.

John said: "This spring is rather special to me because the month of May marks my 50th year as a presenter on BBC One.

"Imagine that! Half a century, I can hardly believe it.

"And more than 30 of those years have been spent here on Countryfile. So it seems like a good opportunity to share with you some of my favourite moments from all over Britain."

Among the highlights of John on Countryfile in which he was fully clothed, included his chat with the late Captain Sir Tom Moore over Zoom in 2020, as well as visits to Cricklade in Wiltshire and Helpston in Cambridgeshire.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.