Georgina / 07 April 2025 / Categories: Media, TV Presenters, Radio Hosts, Opinions

BBC Radio Four And Anita Rani

Where would we be without Woman’s Hour on the BBC radio 4 network? I cannot think of another specific radio show for women, historically the show began in 1923 at the BBCs inception when then bosses were looking to capture and grow their audience and latched onto the fact married women were at home during the day.

The show has done the rounds over the years on BBC light and BBC radio two, woman’s hour currently airs on BBC radio hosted by fellow Leeds girl, who in my humble opinion has brought the show into the 21st century for a growing younger audience of listeners. I am only 30 and when I tell people I listen to woman’s hour they keel over and say things like I don’t even think my Gran listens to that anymore.

My gran was a massive fan of the show, Martha Kearney along with other notable female journalists Jean Metcalfe, Marjorie Anderson, Sue MacGregor and Jenni Murray and it was definitely something we shared listening together along with well organised trips to the cinema to watch inappropriate releases for me at the time, films she wanted to see, a few PG 13 eye openers, a complete education for me and the fondest memories.

I was probably about 5 or 6 when I began listening and enjoyed the doing it together more than the actual content. We’d listen to the Archers too.

The show has seen the hosts change over the years when Jane Garvey gave up the gig in Dec 2020 after 13 years presenting the show.

After such a long tenure when Jane Garvey left, the show seemed to take a 180 degree turn from Jam and Jerusalem women’s institute type content to more modern relevant stuff, current affairs and less academic and stuffy discussions under the feisty curation of Emma Barnett in 2021 with none other than the imp that’s Anita Rani as her side kick, taking over the lead presenting role on a Friday and Saturday.

If you hear the words Woman’s Hour and immediately think of a bunch of women in tweed skirts and Aran cardies think again.

It’s had a revamp. Emma Barnett will kill you and Anita Rani will make it look lovely with her signature red pout.

These two are about as warm and fuzzy as the silent assassins in killing Eve. The questions are hard and the subject matter ranges from Hollywood A listers to women’s rights to inspirational guests, one that stood out was the girl, Preet Chandri known as polar Preet who trekked across Antarctica and raised every penny for the expedition herself. And now she's set her sights on her most difficult challenge yet – hoping to become the first woman to travel solo to the North Pole. Just one of the interesting and memorable Woman’s Hour interviews.

Any hoo have a listen ladies. The BBC in general I think is a misogynistic old boys club in the most part where the gender pay gap is still in full swing, complaints are ignored or brushed under the rug and women and everyone else who doesn’t identify as male is a second class citizen when the chips are down.

I follow Ms Rani on Instagram, she’s healthy, hard working, got the most beautiful teeth and she’s funny in a quiet, patient sort of way.

He think hard hitting spectacle wearing ballsy journalist Emma Barnett and her sidekick Anita Rani are as enigmatic for the thinking woman as Tess and Claudia are to the dancing woman.

Woman’s Hour is broadcast daily Monday to Friday at 10am with an omnibus edition on Saturday at 4pm.