Anita Rani, the beloved presenter of Countryfile and The One Show, has candidly shared the emotional turmoil she faced before her separation from husband Bhupi Rehal. In a revealing interview earlier this year, the 48-year-old broadcaster spoke about feeling overwhelmed by the relentless “pace of life” in London during 2023, admitting that at one point, she “panicked” as she struggled to keep up.
Having married Bhupi, a technology executive, in 2009, the couple parted ways in 2023 after 14 years together. Anita described their relationship as having “drifted apart,” marking a significant turning point in her life.
Reflecting on this period, Anita disclosed that her work-life balance had become increasingly unmanageable. “Midway through 2023, I panicked. I felt overwhelmed with the pace of life. I didn’t want to slow down, but suddenly seemed unable to keep up with the tempo of London,” she said. The strain of juggling career demands and personal expectations left her feeling depleted and unable to handle accumulating pressures.
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The presenter acknowledged that entering her forties brought a heightened urgency to reassess her path. After untethering herself from a life she once assumed — marriage, a home, children — she made a commitment to embrace authenticity, vulnerability, and self-compassion. Anita vowed to travel more and live life on her own terms.
In interviews, Anita expresses excitement about embracing this “new chapter” and a “new phase” in life. She proudly states she “couldn’t care less” about others’ opinions, celebrating the wisdom and confidence that come with aging. “I’ve been brought up to worry about what people think and say,” she said, “but now I want to get wilder and more outrageous — to shock more.”
Recently, Anita enjoyed her first solo holiday post-separation, hitting the Italian slopes for snowboarding — an activity that symbolizes her newfound independence. She shared she has long relied on herself and relishes the freedom to make choices without considering anyone else.
Fans can catch Anita back on Countryfile Sunday, June 29, from 5:25 pm to 6:25 pm on BBC One.