This Is Just The Beginning For Me!'

TV presenter Anita Rani, 40, talks to us about long-distance marriage,her dream to travel the world, and why shes loving this stage of her life...

- Nathalie Whittle

Known for her eternally sunny persona, Anita Rani is fast becoming one of TV’s darlings. When she arrives at our cover shoot, she’s all smiles. “woman&home cover girl?” she beams as she sits down to chat. “This is an exciting moment!”

Anita’s career began as a researcher for the BBC, before her first big break in 2002 as presenter of an entertainment show, The Edit. Since then, she’s co-presented several news shows and environmental reality series like World’s Busiest Cities, on this month, and New York: America’s Busiest City, rerunning in January 2019. She also danced her way to the season 13 semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing and, this year, secured a spot in the presenting line-up for the royal wedding. She lives in the UK with her husband Bhupi, a tech director.

I’ve never been afraid of age, but being 40 does feel different – I feel I have more gravitas now.

We celebrated with a surprise weekend organised by Bhupi, who’s Mr Romantic. He arranged this amazing Michelin-star meal, a night at a hotel in London, and a big surprise party at our local pub with all my friends. And now each time we go away somewhere, we celebrate again because I’m still 40.

In this moment, I’m my most confident.

I know myself a little better; I don’t feel I have as much to prove. I’m also in a loving relationship with a man who builds me up. I’ve worked as a presenter for 16 years and, as with anything, the longer you do it the more you understand. I’m definitely a more confident presenter, but maybe because I’m a more confident woman.

I’d tell my younger self to just keep doing what you’re doing.

Knowledge is power, so study hard and keep your head down.

The best beauty advice I ever got was from my mom.