SIXTY SECONDS With
THE TV PRESENTER, 43, ON HER STRICTLY INJURY, HER LOVE OF DRUM ’N’ BASS AND HOSTING THE NEW SERIES OF MURDERTOWN
What was the appeal of a murder investigation show? I’d never done anything in the true crime genre and it’s huge so, when they approached me, I thought, ‘Absolutely!’ Like pretty much everyone else on the planet, I’m fascinated by crime.
How is it different to all the other crime shows?
We’re looking at every aspect of the murders, from the impact on the communities and the families, to talking to the investigators and honouring the victim, which was really important. We have only told stories where we have had consent from the families of the victims. Crucially, at the end of every episode there’s a resolution so the families get a sense of justice.
Strictly partner:.
It’s quite a bleak subject. How do you switch off when you get home?
I talk about it with my husband. It does affect you but I’m used to it. It’s part of the job of being a presenter. I’ve worked on The One Show for years and told some really tragic stories.
Do cases stay with you? Sometimes there’s a long wait for justice. The story of a teenager in Bath was so sad. She was murdered on her way home from a nightclub in 1984. To lose a child is horrendous… and then to know that whoever did it is still in the same town. The brother of the victim spoke in court when the killer finally got sent down 30 years later. He said that, growing up, he suspected every man he met.
Why did you do Strictly Come Dancing, where you partnered Gleb Savchenko, and The Great Sport Relief Bake Off?
You learn a skill. They are competitive and terrifying but I’m quite singleminded. Anything that involves getting fit or challenging myself – why wouldn’t I?
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins sounds like it would be right up your street…
Not this year because I’m exhausted. I’ve had such a busy year but yes, I’d love to get fit, why the heck not? But I’m not sure if I’m mentally tough enough and I’ve had an injury since Strictly so there’s that to contend with. I pulled my hamstring. I’ll be in my eighties, going: ‘Oh, that bloomin’ Strictly injury!’
I moved to London and worked in an industry that was predominantly white and male
You’ve presented Countryfile for six years. Are you a country girl at heart?
I grew up in Bradford. We’d spend weekends running around on the moors so I’m connected to the countryside but I’m a city girl. I live in east London.
How old were you when you decided to become a reporter?
I worked on my local radio station when I was 14. It was Sunrise, an Asian radio station. I loved it. And years later I’m a Woman’s Hour presenter – woohoo!
Weren’t you once a cricket presenter too?
You take opportunities when they come. My dad is the Indian man who doesn’t watch cricket but my extended family do. I’ve got plenty of uncles and cousins who said, ‘Finally, she’s making a programme we want to watch.’
At 43 you are busier than ever. Is ageism no longer a problem?
It’s less now than it was but I’m sure all women feel ageism. Sadly, society can’t see that women get wiser, more beautiful and more badass with age.
Why did you write your autobiography, The Right Sort Of Girl?
Growing up, there was nobody who looked like me anywhere. Then I moved to London and worked in an industry that was predominantly white and male. Then Covid happened and we all were being reflective and it felt like the right time to tell my story.
Having met your husband at a warehouse party, are you still into 1990s drum ’n’ bass?
Absolutely. We’re real saddos – middleaged people still playing that music! This is the thing about drum ’n’ bass, it’s for life.
You’re the first woman in your family not to have an Indian arranged marriage…
It was never going to happen. I told my mum quite early on and she did say, ‘Well, to be honest, Anita, we wouldn’t even know where to start with you.’
So what’s next?
I’m filming a history series for Channel 4, then there’s Woman’s Hour and Countryfile is ongoing. And maybe more writing. I’m busier than ever and finally I’m in a place where I can do the work I’ve always wanted to do. My ambition is boundless. And me and my husband would love to build our own house – we’re obsessed with Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud!
New ten-part series Murdertown is on Crime+Investigation, with new episodes every Monday at 9pm. All episodes are available for 30 days on catch up