Strictly’s Anita Rani reveals ‘cripplingly sad’ Christmas which completely changed her life

Anita Rani, a television presenter, described her “catastrophically depressing” Christmas as the catalyst for her anxiety and frightful panic attack.

The 47-year-old, who regularly hosts Countryfile and Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, revealed how she miscarried in 2018 while still dating Bhupi Rehal, who she announced she split from in September 2023.

However, Anita claimed she continued to live at 100 mph as she had always done rather than slowing down and trying to deal with what had happened. Her loss finally began to come to light when Christmas arrived, which is the only season she has two weeks off from work.

The telly star, who first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, described it as “a Christmas like no other,” claiming that it ultimately completely altered her outlook on life and how she lived it.

Writing about her experience in Red magazine, Anita shared: “I was working at my usual crazy pace, except I was also having a miscarriage. My body was experiencing something very real while I was filming War On Plastics and Countryfile all over the country, hosting events, and getting ready for the Strictly Christmas special. Although it was very depressing for both me and my husband, I didn’t slow down and instead chose to process it properly at Christmas because there was so much going on at work. The truth is, I didn’t process it over Christmas”.

Antia described how she “dusted it off and came back as my old self” after she ignored it. But something didn’t feel right. She occupied her time with doing things after going to the pub, which she doesn’t advise anyone to do. For Comic Relief, one of these activities was climbing Kilimanjaro. But she had a full-fledged panic attack halfway up.

Concerned for her health, Anita convinced herself she had an illness. And despite having numerous blood tests and medical tests, no one was able to diagnose her. She confessed: “All year I felt anxiety and insecurity like never before. The terror or lack of knowledge or comprehension of what I was experiencing made those feelings worse. I didn’t recognise myself”. Reflecting on the experience, she said: “It’s only now, after a year of reflection and paying attention, that I fully understand what the problem was: I was sad. Deeply, truly and cripplingly sad”.

Anita claims she is now in her “emancipation” era after opening up to the Mirror in an exclusive conversation with the Mirror. She told us: “Life is good. I’m in a good place, I’m focusing on myself and my own wants. It’s nice to have time to reflect on my life’s second phase. I’ve been calling it Chapter Two”.

And Anita’s outlook on Christmas 2024 is completely different. She has secured herself a brand-new, festive TV show and documentary series called My Life At Christmas, which will air on the BBC. The likes of actor Dame Sheila Hancock, EastEnders legend Rudolph Walker, and Spencer Matthews, a former TOWIE star turned entrepreneur, are among this year’s celebrity guests.

The Miscarriage Association offers support and advice if this story has affected you. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org. uk

Do you have a story to share? Email me at katie. wilson01@reachplc.com

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Source: Mirror