Ellie Harrison decided to leave after 13 years on the show. The wildlife presenter made the candid announcement in December 2023.
In an unearthed interview the broadcaster cheekily quipped her fellow co-stars Jules Hudson and Matt Baker got the best gigs while filming the programme.
The self-proclaimed country girl spoke about having to ride horses on occasion during the televised broadcast.
“We tend to be allocated tasks according to ability,” Ellie told Haynet in 2013. “Jules is the best rider of all of us, and Matt isn’t a bad rider, so they tend to get the more challenging stories.”
She added: “If we have a story of our own, though, they do like us to try and pitch in, because then they know we care about it.”
Ellie Harrison previously worked on BBC’s Countryfile (Image: PA)
Ellie decided to quit Countryfile to focus on her family, business, and art. Her final episode aired on December 3, 2023.
Explaining her reasons at the time, Ellie wrote: “Thirteen-and-a-half years after I arrived four hours early for my first Countryfile shoot, which culminated in me commuting up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to deliver Matt Baker a sandwich of freshly harvested mushrooms, it has come time for me to bid you farewell.
“It has been a decision I’ve drawn out,” she revealed emotionally, “Such is the bond with the programme, and boy will I miss the geography field trips.”
However, she added: “But like all endings, I’ll take all the lessons from these days forward with me on my journey.”
Jules Hudson is a regular presenter on BBC’s Escape to the Country (Image: BBC)
Matt Baker is a presenter on Countryfile (Image: Getty)
Her co-stars paid tribute to the presenter during the final moments of the episode.
Clearly emotional about the wonderful well-wishes, Ellie said she felt “heartbroken” to leave, while Anita told her co-host she had been “amazing to work with.”
Countryfile airs Sundays on One and iPlayer