LIVE 24-SEVEN
WE’RE TRYING TO EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE FOR ALIENS AND THEY’RE HERE ON PLANET EARTH!!
I kind of walked around going, “Do you mean me? Me?” Amazing, what an honour to be associated with the BBC’s iconic programme and take it on an arena tour around Britain. To take it to thousands of people around the country is a big, big deal!
I don’t know about you, but I always feel incredibly moved by a live orchestra, there’s something really stirring about it, I get a bit weepy! Are you concerned that you might get a bit overcome on stage? Yes! I mean I watched it on TV and I didn’t stop crying at home, never mind an orchestra! I’ll be in tears! I’ll have to get waterproof mascara!I [laughing] I’ll order bucket loads of it – that will be my rider for the tour! [laughing] I think it’s going to be overwhelming – I think that’s the adjective to use – it’s going to be an experience, not just for me, but every single person who comes to see it. To immerse yourself in those beautiful, huge, epic pictures that the best cameramen in the world spent thousands of hours collecting and to have that incredible orchestra performing – it’s going to be magical.
Katie, it’s so nice to meet someone as bubbly as myself – I love it! Aww thank you!
Anita, it’s been announced today that you are the host of Blue Planet Live the Arena Tour in March of next year. The TV series itself was ground-breaking, it has empowered a nation to view our oceans and environment with much greater care and it sparked this whole drive to try and clear up our oceans! Did you watch the series yourself? Oh yes, who didn’t? I think I’ve got the statistics…you’ll love this Katie, 37.6million people watched it! That’s over 60% of the British apopulation! And you’re right Katie, it did spark something, it wasn’t a TV series was it, it’s a movement! It’s a moment in British history! Did you watch the first series? Yes, I did! It was great, do you remember that weird-looking fish? I mean, who knew? We’re trying to explore the universe for aliens and they’re here on Planet Earth!! [laughing] So much of Planet Earth is undiscovered and two thirds of it is ocean and we know so little about it. So yes, this programme was phenomenal and it shows us our place on the planet.
How did you feel when you were asked to be the host?
The TV series is one thing, but this is almost like paying homage to the imagery on an altogether different level? Yes! This is new world order isn’t it? And this is really important to me Katie, because I work on Countryfile and like that, this is family viewing. This is something that you can come to as an entire family and to have that moment together when you can all be overwhelmed and weep – and walk away discussing it.
You’ve made Countryfile great viewing for a younger audience and played your part in making the countryside interesting to them, would you acknowledge your part in that? Lovely to say, but I don’t think I’ve had anything to do with that to be honest. I’m just so lucky and at a point of my career now that I’m being asked to do these amazing programmes such as Countryfile and the tour. Countryfile is so much bigger than any of the presenters, apart from John Craven obviously. …And his jumper collection… [laughing] He’s been on it for 30 years. I’m just lucky to be part of its history!
It seems strange in today’s age to say this, but you really have pioneered the way for other Asian female presenters; is that something you are aware of? Do you stop and think, “Wow, yes, I have led the way” as you are a role model aren’t you? Yeah, that I’ll take! And it’s only now Katie that I see that. When I was on my way up the ranks I was just keeping focused on what I was doing, but it’s because of things today that we’re having these conversations and that there’s so much awareness about representing the nation on telly really and other walks of life!
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