A Very British Easter

Anita Rani and Matt Baker on the show’s holiday edition and what makes this time of year so special

- Rebecca Fletcher

Anita Rani and Matt Baker are totally unfazed as two cute rabbits wriggle into their arms for our exclusive TV Times cover shoot.

‘Am I OK with rabbits? Are you kidding me? We present Countryfile! Animals come as pretty standard,’ grins Anita, cuddling a furry bundle. ‘I was expecting rabbits, chickens and lambs given that it’s the Easter episode, so I think we’ve got off pretty lightly!’

‘Agreed,’ adds Matt, joining us for the picture after a mad half-hour’s filming of egg racing (more on that later). ‘These rabbits are well-behaved.’

Viewers can expect an eggs-tra (sorry) special episode of Countryfile this Sunday as presenters Anita and Matt head to Lancashire and dedicate the popular countryside show to all things Easter.

‘It’s always nice to do these cornerstone episodes at Easter and Christmas, which feel different, they feel celebratory,’ says Matt. ‘There’s a great spring vibe around Easter weekend and the show reflects that mood and seasonal countryside traditions.

‘That’s one of Countryfile’s great strengths, I think.’

‘The whole episode feels special,’ says Anita. ‘It’s the lovely long bank holiday where we all celebrate longer days and warmer weather. Spring has sprung!’

Here, Matt, 39, who presents BBC1’s The One Show from Monday to Thursday, and Anita, 39, also a One Show reporter, reveal how Sunday’s show flies the flag for the British countryside this Easter…

What do you both get up to in this week’s episode?