Countryfile
Anita Rani on Countryfile’s summer show celebrating the great British countryside
Countryfile sunday / BBC1 / 7Pm
Anita Rani’s sunny smile matches the glorious weather when TV Times catches up with the presenter at beautiful Blenheim Palace. Busy filming at Countryfile Live – one the biggest events in the show’s diary – Anita is revelling in the four-day event, which has returned to the Oxfordshire venue for the third year running.
‘Blenheim Palace is amazing and Countryfile Live is a real highlight in the Countryfile calendar,’ says Anita. ‘It’s such a privilege to make a programme where you enjoy what you do!’
Her co-host
John Craven describes the event as ‘the best country fair in the world’ and with live arena shows, animals displays and wildlife and farming demonstrations, who are we to argue? Indeed, it’s proved so popular with viewers that a fourth Countryfile Live is planned from Blenheim next August, with an additional event at Castle Howard in Yorkshire two weeks later! Here, Anita, 40, tells us about the special outing, which features in this week’s Countryfile…
What’s the atmosphere like at Countryfile Live?
We can’t quite believe how amazing it is. There’s so much to do. And on top of all that, the sun is shining! Countryfile Live is a magical event.
You’ve been working with the winners of Countryfile’s search for young presenters – Archie, 13, and Matilda, 10…
I spent the morning with Matilda filming about reintroducing hedgehogs to Blenheim. Matilda’s dad says she loves Countryfile and has been blown away by the experience. It hasn’t put her off; she still wants to be a presenter! Archie is also an amazing presenter. He’s got such confidence. I’m filming with him later today and hear he’s been learning to fish.
What have the other presenters been working on at the event? Helen Skelton and Sean Fletcher have been learning to fly-fish, and Tom Heap and Adam Henson are doing their annual challenge. In the first year of Countryfile Live they did a sawing competition, last year it was kayaking, and this year it’s building the best straw-bale den!
What does working on Countryfile mean to you?
I signed up in 2015 – my magic year when I did the holy trinity of Countryfile, Who Do You Think You Are? and Strictly Come Dancing!
I love that I’m constantly learning and having meaningful experiences, like being with refugee children as they saw snow for the first time.
Which of your co-presenters would you like to see compete in Strictly Come Dancing? That’s easy – I’ve always wanted to see John Craven do the paso!