Richie Anderson on ‘rewarding’ Escape to the Country role

Broadcaster Richie Anderson has said his new role on BBC One property show Escape to the Country has been a “rewarding” experience ahead of his first episode.

The TV and radio personality, from Smethwick, was confirmed as the programme’s new presenter in August and will feature in Monday’s episode focusing on the Midlands.

Anderson, who is currently a presenter on BBC Radio 2, said the team working on Escape to the Country, which helps house hunters who want to move to the countryside, were “absolutely amazing”.

“There’s so much that goes into it and it’s so rewarding when you show people around these houses,” he told his former station BBC Radio WM.

“You can see the cogs turning and them thinking ‘oh my goodness me, this could really work for us’.”

He described moving house as “such a personal journey” for the guests on the show and said he enjoyed finding out more about their lives.

“I think that’s what’s special about Escape to the Country. These house hunters – you’re really rooting for them and it’s my job to get their stories out of them,” he added.

Anderson currently presents travel reports on BBC Radio 2 during weekday afternoons and recently sat in for Dermot O’Leary to present his Saturday show.

“As a boy from Smethwick, who grew up just four miles down the road with big teeth and glasses, I couldn’t believe I got a show on Radio 2,” he added.

He used to work with Zoe Ball during her stint as the station’s breakfast show host and said the two of them had a “really special bond”.

“We still speak every day,” he said. “She’s one of my best friends and has probably been the biggest influence on my career.”

But he said returning to his former home at BBC Radio WM was always a “special” experience and described its listeners as having the “biggest hearts”.

Anderson also spoke of his time as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, which he said had a big impact on his life.

“It changes your life in the way that when you finish [the show], you can’t do the big shop,” he added.

“You walk around the supermarket and people always want to stop you, which is nice.”

He said the show made him more famous but did not change him as a person, adding that he still had a season ticket to watch his beloved West Bromwich Albion and still “goes around Aldi”.

Of his future plans, he said: “I’m the type of the person who would consider anything. I’ve got to pay off that washing machine somehow.”

Escape to the Country will air on BBC One at 15:00 BST on Monday and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.