‘Every story is remarkable'

Anita Rani on exploring how chance encounters can change lives

- HANNAH DAVIES

Anita Rani is one of the busiest stars in showbiz, with presenting duties including BBC1’s magazine series Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. And when TV Times calls at 8 am on a March morning for an exclusive interview about her new BBC2 series, Saved by a Stranger, she’s in the midst of having her hair and make-up done ahead of a day of filming for her upcoming C4 quiz show, The Answer Trap.

But Anita is only too happy to spend time chatting to us about Saved by a Stranger, which she describes as a passion project. The four-parter tells the incredible stories of two strangers thrown together by a major event in recent history, such as a war, a terrorist attack, or a natural disaster, with one being there for the other in their time of need.

Now, those helped by an act of kindness in their darkest hour are searching for the person who saved their life or, at the very least, changed it forever. When they are reunited, it is an emotional experience for everyone involved.