Countryfile has become an institution on the BBC since it first aired nearly 30 years ago, and has added various different presenters to its roster over the years.
Yet despite a total of eight years being a part of the programme, English broadcaster Ben, 44, was finally let go because of his background.
Around the same time, Ben’s co-host Miriam O’Reilly on the show was also dropped from the team.
The star, who was then aged 52, came out to share that she was fired because of her age.
Speaking to the Daily Express, Ben explained that he was released from his contract because of his “accent”.
“When Miriam was dropped from Countryfile she said it was to do with age,” he went on. “I was working with her and dropped from the show at the same time and was told it was because of my accent.
“I don’t want to name names but I was told by someone [high up on the show] that my accent was inaccessible.”
Following Miriam’s exit from Countryfile, she later successfully sued the BBC for age discrimination.
Ben didn’t follow the same path however and even returned to the nature programme in 2014.
The adventurer then left the show for reasons unknown a year later.
Ben is currently in the planning stages of his monumental mission to Mount Everest with former Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton.
The pair are tackling the climb in a bid to raise money for the Red Cross.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain to discuss his new project, Ben couldn’t resist taking a good-natured swipe at host Piers Morgan, who is taking a break from the breakfast show this week.
Speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, Ben joked about Piers’ incredibly competitive side.
When asked how he feels about the challenge, the presenter said: “We may come back into the studio and I may hold my head a little bit down because we hadn’t done it but we want to show people it’s the whole journey.
“We need Piers here because we need to reiterate to him it’s not about winning but it’s about taking part and having a go.
“Just try, and if you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
Despite the jokes, Ben confessed he is realistic about the failure rate of climbing Everest and will accept the disappointment if he doesn’t succeed the challenge.
Countryfile continues Sunday at 7pm on BBC One.
