BBC Countryfile's Ellie Harrison left 'terrified' after intense bloodhound hunt

Ellie Harrison, best known for her role on Countryfile, has opened up about a nerve-wracking experience she had while filming an episode in 2010.

Countryfile star Ellie Harrison has reflected on a particularly nerve-wracking experience she had while filming an episode in 2010.

In an interview from 2013, the presenter revealed the intense and exhilarating feeling of being part of a bloodhound hunting event, an experience she admits was both "terrifying" and unforgettable. Ellie, recalling the thrilling experience, explained how she joined quarry Lee Mansfield for a bloodhound hunting event. Unlike traditional hunting where prey animals are pursued, bloodhounds track the scent of a human in a method known as "clean boot hunting."

In this challenge, Ellie was the quarry, tasked with outrunning the hounds, who are specially trained to follow natural human scent. Ellie recalled her emotions during the experience, saying: "My favourite memory is of hunting with bloodhounds, when I got to be the quarry - hunting the clean boot, they call it, because the hounds follow natural human scent rather than an artificial scent like aniseed.

"It was really good fun, as well as being terrifying. We were obviously in no danger, as the bloodhounds were only likely to lick us to death if they caught us, but when you're not as fit as you'd like to be, and you're partnered with a guy who's never been caught, the pressure's on!

"It really does get to you, even though you know you're only making telly. At the end, they caught up with me and I blemished this guy's perfect record of having never been caught, but that was my best experience ever of any horse-related story I've done," she told Haynet.

In 2023, Ellie announced she had stepped down from Countryfile after 13 years of hosting the BBC series. Writing her last ever Countryfile magazine column, Ellie explained her reasons for stepping down and revealed quitting wasn't a decision she made lightly. The journalist, who has co-presented Countryfile since 2009, also promised viewers she would "see you again someday" when announcing her exit.

The BBC star penned: "After 13 years, my final column is a fond farewell to Countryfile - I'll miss the people, places and stories. 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, 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." Ellie continued to reflect on environment issues and reminded readers that "our countryside is a gift", before going on to detail her reasons for bid farewell to the show.

"There are many things I'll miss," Ellie penned. "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.

She added: "The winds of change are blowing, my hands turn the tiller and I close my eyes to take comfort from Invictus: 'I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.'" Ellie signed off her final column for Countryfile magazine telling fans: "I'll see you again someday."

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