Anita Rani: Countryfile presenter opens up on quitting BBC programme

Anita has been part of the Countryfile team since 2015 and explored many countryside spots up and down the UK in that time.

A central part of the team of the BBC show, there’s no doubt many fans would be sad to see her go.

However, it looks as though that’s not something they’ll have to worry about for some time yet.

Speaking on how long she could herself on the programme for, Anita divulged exclusively to Express.co.uk: “I have no idea! John [Craven]’s been doing it for 30 years, can you believe it? 30 years.

“I’m very happy presenting Countryfile and it’s really nice to be part of a big British institution and so I’ll just keep going!

“I’ve got no plans to retire ever. So I’ll just keep going.”

This week has seen Anita appear at Countryfile Live which has returned to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

The show’s presenters have the chance to meet and talk with the many fans of the programme, something which Anita described as “fantastic”.

Anita explained: “It’s quite overwhelming actually. You know that Countryfile is hugely popular and that is because of all the people that choose to watch it on a Sunday night.

“Then to get to meet the people who love the show so much is one of the reason Countryfile Live is so much fun.

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“To speak to people who just appreciate what you do and are really having a great time, it’s quite a big deal for everybody who’s here and for us as well.

“It’s fantastic, that’s the best bit about it to get to meet the fans of the show.”

Although Anita did go on to add while fans were keen to open up about what they like about the programme, they’re also more than happy to point out what they dislike.

She detailed: “When you’re just walking about and people just want to come and talk to you about an episode of Countryfile and especially here at Countryfile Live, it’s phenomenal and it’s lovely because of the people, it so belongs to the people.

“So they will tell us when they love something and equally they tell us when they don’t and I think that’s wonderful because we want to know what people think.”

Tom Heap also shared his experience of hearing criticisms from fans.

He spilled: “There is a genuine warmth there, having said that they’re not afraid to say ‘why haven’t you been to Northern Ireland recently?’ or ‘how come you said such and such about badgers?’. People will take me to task but it’s done in a kind of friendly way like you’re a member of their family.

“They just want to have a little word with you about something as well.

“That’s fine, that’s great.”

Countryfile continues tomorrow at 7pm on BBC One.

source: express.co.uk