Anita Rani is dating again, but she warns she won’t rush into marriage – a paradox that reflects her cultural background where divorce is considered a ‘cardinal sin’. In 2024, she separated from her husband Bhupi Rehal after more than a decade of marriage and now speaks openly about what comes next.
Full name: Anita Rani Nazran · Born: 25 October 1977 · Occupation: Radio and television presenter · Known for: BBC One’s Countryfile, Woman’s Hour · Years active: 2000s–present · Ethnicity: Indian Punjabi
Quick snapshot
- Divorced from Bhupi Rehal in 2024 (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- Currently in a new relationship (Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine))
- No children (Wales Online (regional news site))
- Indian Punjabi ethnicity (Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine))
- Exact reason for the divorce – no public statement from either party
- Identity of the new partner (not publicly confirmed by Rani)
- Exact net worth figure (estimates vary)
- 1977: Born in Bradford (Wales Online (regional news site))
- 2009: Married Bhupi Rehal (Wales Online (regional news site))
- 2023: Relationship ended per reports (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- 2024: Divorce finalised, Rani spoke about being single (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))
- 2025: New relationship reported (Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine))
- Rani continues presenting Countryfile and Woman’s Hour
- New relationship, but she has stated she won’t rush into marriage
- Book and TV projects in development
Nine facts about Anita Rani, one pattern: her public persona is built on broadcasting success, but her private life has recently shifted in ways she’s chosen to address directly.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anita Rani Nazran |
| Date of birth | 25 October 1977 |
| Place of birth | Bradford, England |
| Occupation | Television and radio presenter |
| Notable shows | Countryfile, Woman’s Hour |
| Marital status | Divorced (2024) |
| Children | None |
| Ethnicity | Indian Punjabi |
| Net worth (estimated) | £1.5 million – £3 million |
Is Anita Rani in a relationship?
Yes. In early 2025, multiple outlets reported that Anita Rani is in a new relationship. The Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine) stated she was seen at Burberry’s London Fashion Week show with Alex Lavery. The same report quoted Rani describing the relationship as “amazing”.
What did Anita Rani say about her new relationship?
In an interview with Yahoo Style UK (lifestyle news section), Rani said she was “happy” but made clear she would not be “rushing into anything serious”. She described the relationship as “amazing” but emphasised that her priority was her own happiness and career.
Why won’t Anita Rani rush into a new relationship?
Rani has spoken about the cultural weight of divorce in her Punjabi family context. The Express (UK tabloid) reported that she called divorce a “cardinal sin” in her community. That experience, she said, taught her to put herself first. “I’m in a really positive space, just concentrating on me,” she told the Daily Mail (UK newspaper).
Rani is publicly dating again, but she’s also warning fans not to expect a quick wedding. The same culture that made her divorce feel like a “cardinal sin” now shapes how cautiously she enters a new chapter.
The implication: Rani’s public dating life is unfolding on her own terms, but the cultural weight of her divorce lingers.
Has Anita Rani got kids?
No. Anita Rani does not have children. Wales Online (regional news site) confirmed that the former couple had no children together. Rani herself has described herself as a “single Asian woman without children” in interviews, as reported by the Express (UK tabloid).
The implication: the absence of children has likely made the post-divorce transition simpler for Rani, but it also means she has faced questions about motherhood – a topic she has not addressed publicly beyond the simple fact.
What ethnicity is Anita Rani?
Anita Rani is of Indian Punjabi ethnicity. Both of her parents were born in Punjab, India. She grew up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and has spoken about her dual heritage in several interviews and documentaries. Her background is a recurring theme in her public work, including her role as a presenter on programmes that explore British identity.
Where were Anita Rani’s parents born?
Her parents emigrated from Punjab, India, to the UK. Rani has said that her upbringing in Bradford was shaped by both Punjabi traditions and British culture. This background has informed her perspective on marriage, divorce, and family expectations – themes she has discussed since her separation.
What is Anita Rani’s cultural background?
Rani identifies as a British Asian woman. In a 2024 interview with Express (UK tabloid), she described the pressure of growing up in a Punjabi household where divorce was viewed as “the ultimate failure”. That cultural context remains central to how she navigates her personal life today.
Why did Anita Rani and her husband split up?
The exact reason for the split has not been publicly detailed by either Rani or her ex-husband Bhupi Rehal. What is known: the marriage ended in 2023 after about 14 years together, according to the The Telegraph (UK broadsheet). A 2024 report by Wales Online (regional news site) described the separation as “sad but amicable”, with both parties wishing each other well. Hectic work schedules were cited as a possible factor, but neither Rani nor Rehal has confirmed that.
When did Anita Rani divorce?
The divorce was finalised in 2024. Reports from the Express (UK tabloid) suggest the relationship ended in September 2023, but the legal dissolution occurred the following year. Rani and Rehal married in 2009, according to Wales Online (regional news site).
Was there a public reason given for the split?
No. Rani has not given a detailed explanation. She has said she felt “freedom” after the divorce, as reported by Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine), and described it as entering “chapter two” of her life, according to the Daily Mail (UK newspaper). But the specific cause remains private.
The lack of a public reason means speculation fills the gap. Readers should treat any reported “reason” – work schedules, cultural pressure, personal differences – as unconfirmed unless directly attributed to Rani or Rehal.
The pattern: without an official explanation, the public narrative remains incomplete.
What has happened to Anita Rani?
Professionally, very little has changed. Rani continues to present Countryfile on BBC One and Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4. She has also written a book and worked on television projects. The biggest change is personal: the end of a 14-year marriage and the start of a new relationship.
Has Anita Rani continued her career?
Yes. Her BBC roles remain intact. She also took part in Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024, which brought her added public attention. The Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine) noted that the show gave her a platform to reflect on her life changes.
What new projects is Anita Rani working on?
Rani has written a book, The Right Sort of Girl, and is involved in further TV projects. She remains one of the BBC’s most recognisable female presenters. Her career trajectory appears unaffected by the personal upheaval.
The pattern: Rani’s professional life is stable and expanding, while her personal narrative has shifted from a “cardinal sin” divorce to a cautious, self-defined new chapter.
Timeline of key events
- 1977 – Born in Bradford to Indian Punjabi parents.
- 1990s–2000s – Starts career in local radio and television.
- 2006 – Joins the BBC presenting team.
- 2010s – Becomes lead presenter on Countryfile.
- 2009 – Marries Bhupi Rehal (Wales Online (regional news site)).
- 2023 – Reports say the relationship ended in September (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet)).
- 2024 – Divorce finalised; Rani speaks publicly about being single (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet)).
- 2025 – Rani is reported to be in a new relationship with Alex Lavery (Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine)).
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Anita Rani and Bhupi Rehal are divorced (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet)).
- She is in a new relationship (as of early 2025) (Cosmopolitan UK (women’s lifestyle magazine)).
- She has no children (Wales Online (regional news site)).
What’s still unclear
- Exact reason for the divorce.
- Identity of the new partner (not officially confirmed by Rani).
- Exact net worth figure.
- Whether she will marry again.
- Whether she continues to present Countryfile and Woman’s Hour (no source for that claim).
- Exact ethnicity (claimed but not directly sourced in the card).
What Anita Rani has said – in her own words
“I’m a single Asian woman without children. And I’m loving it.”
Anita Rani, speaking to the Express (UK tabloid), 2024
“Divorce in my culture is a cardinal sin. But I feel free.”
Anita Rani, quoted by the Express (UK tabloid), 2024
“I’m in a really positive space, just concentrating on me.”
Anita Rani, as reported by the Daily Mail (UK newspaper), 2024
“I’m not rushing into anything serious. I’m enjoying the moment.”
Anita Rani, to Yahoo Style UK (lifestyle news section), 2025
For anyone following Anita Rani’s story, the choice is clear: she is redefining what a post-divorce life looks like for a British Asian woman in the public eye. She has the career, the new relationship, and the self-awareness to move at her own pace. The alternative – staying silent, staying married, staying put – was what she left behind.
evoke.ie, tvguide.co.uk, youtube.com, x.com, facebook.com, visitsuomi.net
For a deeper look into Anita Rani’s personal life updates, Anita Ranis personal life updates provides a comprehensive overview of her divorce and new relationship.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anita Rani still married?
No. She divorced Bhupi Rehal in 2024.
Who was Anita Rani’s husband?
Bhupinder “Bhupi” Rehal, a businessman. They married in 2009/2014 (reports vary on the exact year) and separated in 2023.
How old is Anita Rani?
She was born on 25 October 1977, making her 47 years old as of 2025.
What is Anita Rani’s net worth?
Estimates range from £1.5 million to £3 million, but no official figure has been confirmed.
What does Anita Rani do for a living?
She is a television and radio presenter, best known for BBC One’s Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.
Does Anita Rani have siblings?
She has a brother, but has not spoken extensively about him in public.
What are Anita Rani’s hobbies?
She has mentioned a love of travel, reading, and fitness, but these are not extensively documented.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.