The two-part Sycamore Gap Mystery shows the police investigation into the destruction of the 120-year-old tree next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland in September 2023. But eagle-eyed viewers were shocked when they noticed the programme had been sponsored by the new Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid, with an advert showing the car dragging a large tree behind it as it drives through a wood.
The dead tree, which has no leaves and looks as though it has just been up-rooted, is chained to the back of the car and pulled along a muddy track. One viewer joked that they thought it was a “post credit scene” when they originally saw it, whilst another added: “Brutal.”
Another commented: “Someone at Channel 4 must have known that, this is hilarious” and one viewer said: “Poor trees been through enough! Hopefully it's oak-ay.” The advert was shown when the documentary was originally aired last week and can still be seen when watching it on Channel 4 On Demand.
Channel 4 said: “We apologise for any offence. This sponsorship advert has now been removed from broadcast.”
The Sycamore Gap tree was one of Britain’s most photographed trees and an emblem for the North East of England. It was illegally felled in September 2023, with two men from Cumbria later found guilty and sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in prison on 15 July 2025.
Our Story Appeared In
