The Clash get surreptitious Springwatch namecheck from host Chris Packham

Springwatch presenter Chris Packham (BBC)

Springwatch host Chris Packham embarked on his latest song challenge tonight by slipping the names of songs by punk pioneers The Clash into the show.

Viewers have been impressed by his efforts to surreptitiously namecheck tracks by a number of bands over the years.

He signalled that The Clash were the recipients of the honour this time around by mentioning chart-topping hit "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" within moments of the show opening in a rainy Welsh field.

Just a few minutes later he had also made reference to Hitsville UK, a song from the band's triple-album Sandinista, to the amusement of his co-presenters.

In past years Packham has worked songs by acts such as The Smiths, Manic Street Preachers and The Cure into the BBC2 programme.

He had recently suggested he may have to give up as he was running out of bands whose back catalogues he knew well and were mainstream enough. He had already ruled out one of his favourites Kitchens Of Distinction.

Packham's colleague Michaela Strachan also appeared to be getting in on the act as she seemed to be slipping in the names of bands, as she mentioned No Doubt and U2, although it was not clear if this was simply a coincidence.

PA