Growing up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Punjabi Indian parents, Anita Rani says her household ‘didn’t really do Christmas’ – but boy, is she making up for it now!
‘I love Christmas,’ the 47-year-old Countryfile presenter tells Woman. ‘I like to make my house feel magical. Putting the tree up and drinking champagne. That is a treat! The run-up to Christmas is the best bit.’
A bonafide Christmas fanatic, Anita was the perfect choice to present this year’s My Life at Christmas on BBC1, which sees her interviewing three celebrities about what the festive period means to them, including English actor Dame Sheila Hancock.
With a Christmas escape to India on the cards, here Anita – who split from her husband of 14 years, Bhupi Rehal, in 2023 – tells us all about being the ultimate Christmas party host, penning her second novel and why she’s focusing on gratitude.
Hi Anita! As a Christmas fanatic, how does it feel to be presenting My Life at Christmas?
It was amazing to be able to do in-depth conversations with people who’ve lived incredible lives and what a brilliant, magical, twinkly prism to look through – the Christmas bauble! Not that Christmas is twinkly and happy for everybody. It’s a time of reflection, so that can be both good and bad. I love talking to people, I love stories and I like getting deep and meaningful.
What was Sheila Hancock like?
As a woman, I look [at] her as this incredible, fierce 91-year-old who is so sharp, with a twinkle in her eye. She says what she thinks, so I really admire that.
How are you spending Christmas this year?
This story is from the December 16, 2024 edition of WOMAN - UK.
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This story is from the December 16, 2024 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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