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TV presenter Anita Rani discusses her new show, the longevity of her career, and what Christmas was like for her as a child.

- By YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI

WHEN Anita Rani thinks about what Christmas was like in her childhood, she remembers it being very different from most people's.

Her parents were busy running a textile factory, so it meant every year would have its own unique memories.

One year, the 48-year-old BBC Woman's Hour presenter could spend Christmas at her auntie’s house, where she would prepare a “really giant tandoori Turkey”, which was “flipping nuclear in the oven” and “slightly terrifying”.

Other Christmases would be spent in India or with extended family at her childhood home.

So when it came to preparing for another instalment of her BBC1 festive interview series, My Life At Christmas With Anita Rani, the Countryfile host was very keen to discover what Christmas means to her guests, how they spent it, and the moments that have shaped their lives.

This year, Anita will have an in-depth one-hour conversation with three guests, including rock star Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, broadcaster Penny Lancaster, children's TV presenter and child rights advocate Baroness Floella Benjamin, and Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan.

Ahead of the show’s release, Anita reflects on her career, how she prepares for interviews and why the festive period encourages people to have more personal conversations, where they can reflect on their lives, careers and faith.

What's it like having so much variety in your career?

I’m lucky, aren't I? It’s only at Christmas, when you sit back and look back at the year. Being a contestant on Celebrity Race Across The World, Woman's Hour, flipping heck, how did that gig happen in my life.