Why Ellie Harrison has left Countryfile as her final episode airs
Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison has shared her decision to leave the BBC agricultural series after 13 years on the programme.
The presenter announced her decision to leave Countryfile earlier this year – explaining that she wanted to focus on raising her three children with her husband Matthew Goodman and growing her family business.
Harrison's final episode aired on Sunday (December 3), with presenter Anita Rani sharing a series of pre-recorded tributes from Harrison's Countryfile co-stars, including Matt Baker and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin.
"Oh, I feel a bit heartbroken," Harrison said after viewing the messages, while Rani added that she had been "amazing" to work with over the years.
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"I've had the best geography field trips exploring these beautiful lands," Harrison replied, before turning to the camera to thank fans for their support over the years.
"It's been an honour to have been trusted by all the people I've met on the programme and by the audience, and thank you for your time."
Harrison joined Countryfile back in 2009 and has worked alongside presenters such as Rani, Baker, Helen Skelton and John Craven during her time on the show.
Confirming her decision to leave the show back in October, Harrison explained in her Countryfile magazine column that choosing to say farewell had been a "drawn out" process for her.
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"It has been a decision I've drawn out, such is the bond with the programme, and boy will I miss the geography field trips. But like all endings, I'll take all the lessons from these days forward with me on my journey," she wrote at the time.
"I've come to realise that I don't need to navigate to a whole new ocean or even a new sea, but to chart a new course somewhere in these waters, raising my three wonderful children, growing our family business and following my own creative calling to produce art of my own making."
Countryfile airs on BBC One.
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