Anita Rani is no longer married. She separated from her husband, technology executive Bhupinder “Bhupi” Rehal, in September 2023 after 14 years of marriage. She has since confirmed a new relationship with Alex Lavery, making their public debut in September 2025.
Former Husband: Bhupinder “Bhupi” Rehal
Anita Rani married Bhupinder Rehal, known as Bhupi, in a Sikh ceremony in 2009. The couple first met at a rave in East London, a chance encounter that led to a relationship spanning well over a decade.
Their separation was confirmed in September 2023, bringing an end to a 14-year marriage. Sources close to the couple indicated that their hectic professional schedules had caused them to drift apart over time. At the time, a source told The Mirror: “It’s really sad but they’ve decided to separate. Their hectic schedules over the past couple of years have sadly meant they’ve drifted apart over time”.
Life After Divorce
Following the split, Anita has spoken candidly about how the end of her marriage prompted significant personal reflection. She described becoming single in her mid-forties as “uncharted territory” and embraced what she calls “Chapter Two” of her life.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Anita said: “Becoming single in my mid-forties has made me re-evaluate everything. It has made me see how much I have been conditioned to be a dutiful woman, rather than a free woman”. She has also reflected on the cultural expectations placed on South Asian women, particularly around divorce and independence.
Anita returned to a flat she had purchased 30 years earlier, transforming it into her ideal home. She told Good Housekeeping: “I’m in uncharted territory. I’m a single, Asian woman with no children, and do you know what? I love it!”Quick Bio: Anita Rani
Current Partner: Alex Lavery
Anita Rani went public with her new partner, Alex Lavery, in September 2025 at a London Fashion Week afterparty for Burberry. The couple arrived hand in hand at the Chiltern Firehouse, marking their first official public appearance together.
Alex Lavery, 45, heads an immersive sonic experience company called Frqncy Ldn, which explores the effects of sound and mind on the body. He has also performed sound meditations as part of Glastonbury Festival’s wellness programme. The couple had previously been seen together at the Green Man Music Festival and were spotted at a festival in Crystal Palace Park before confirming their relationship.
Anita has spoken warmly about Alex, describing him as “not just good-looking” but “a beautiful soul. He’s free-spirited and has really great energy”. She shared a particularly romantic gesture that showed her how much he had paid attention to her interests. Alex bought her a collection of vinyl records and played them for her. When she asked how he knew her taste so well, he explained that he had listened intently whenever she spoke about music and artists. Anita said: “When you meet someone who has a similar passion, there is nothing more satisfying than listening to music with him”.
The couple spent Christmas together with an open-door policy for friends and family who had nowhere else to go, and Anita decorated more than she had in previous years.
On Marriage and Independence
Despite being happy in her new relationship, Anita has made clear she is not rushing into marriage again. She told Fabulous magazine: “I don’t know how I feel about getting married again. I don’t feel like I need to live by convention. I’m in quite a rad space”.
She has emphasised the importance of her independence, stating: “I’m fiercely independent. I like my own company. I’m just going to live on my own. Not only is it liberating for me, I think it’s really important for other women to see that and for young women to see that”.
Anita has also addressed the cultural stigma surrounding divorce within South Asian communities. She noted: “Being South Asian and getting a divorce is a thing, it’s quite a big deal. When I was growing up, divorced women were seen as pariahs”. She credits those women she was told to avoid as having been role models, describing them as “the sexiest women with cool outfits and hair”.
Career Context
Anita Rani has been a prominent figure on British television for over two decades. She has been a key presenter on BBC One’s Countryfile for more than a decade and presents BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour every Thursday and Friday. Her other credits include Aldi’s Next Big Thing, My Life At Christmas, and the documentary The Brontës by Anita Rani: Sisters of Disruption for Sky Arts. In 2015, she reached the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Gleb Savchenko. More recently, she appeared on BBC One’s Celebrity Race Across the World alongside her father, Bal.Q1: Who was Anita Rani’s husband?
A: Anita Rani was married to technology executive Bhupinder “Bhupi” Rehal. The couple married in 2009 in a Sikh ceremony after meeting at a rave in East London, and separated in September 2023 after 14 years of marriage.
Q2: When did Anita Rani and her husband split?
A: Anita Rani and Bhupi Rehal separated in September 2023, with sources citing their hectic schedules as the reason they drifted apart. The split was confirmed by multiple outlets after 14 years of marriage.
Q3: Who is Anita Rani’s current partner?
A: Anita Rani is currently in a relationship with Alex Lavery, who heads an immersive sonic experience company called Frqncy Ldn. The couple made their public debut at London Fashion Week in September 2025.
Q4: Is Anita Rani planning to get married again?
A: Anita has stated she is not rushing into marriage again, saying she does not feel she needs to “live by convention.” She has described herself as “fiercely independent” and is focused on enjoying her relationship with Alex without societal pressure.
Q5: How did Anita Rani meet her new partner?
A: Anita and Alex bonded over their shared passion for music. She has shared that he bought her a collection of vinyl records and played them for her, explaining he had paid close attention to her music taste whenever she spoke about it.
