WHAT KATIE did next

KATIE PIPER on her new series promoting the power of wellbeing

- REBECCA FLETCHER

KATIE PIPER'S WEEKEND ESCAPE NEW EASTER SUN, 8.25AM, ITV1 LIFESTYLE

Katie Piper beams with delight as a gorgeous bundle of fluff jumps on to her lap while she's chatting away to TV Times.

'Sorry, we have an interloper: this is our 12-week-old puppy, Sugar,' smiles the mum of two, 41, clearly smitten with her family's new addition, who they adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. 'She will calm down - at least I hope she will!'

It's good practice as working alongside excitable animals is now set to be part of the Loose Women favourite's routine when her latest wholesome ITV1 show, Katie Piper's Weekend Escape, arrives in our living rooms from a countryside retreat in the Cotswolds.

Focusing on health and wellbeing, the hour-long episodes will be a mix of celebrity guests and fitness-and-nutrition advice, as well as makeovers, pamper treatments and inspiring human-interest stories.

'It starts this Sunday, so it's perfect Easter viewing. We're kicking off with Easter chicks, bunnies and Shetland ponies from a therapy sanctuary. And you'll see me get pooed on by the chicks, so there's proof you shouldn't work with animals!' shares Katie in our exclusive interview.

Here, she tells us more about the 22-part series...

The show sounds lovely, Katie. What do you hope viewers take away from it?

The news is stressful, and Netflix is full of hard-hitting shows that make us worry about our children. So I want to create a space for people to retreat, unwind and have a laugh.