Countryfile star breaks down in tears as newborn lamb is abandoned by its mum and dies

COUNTRYFILE took viewers on an emotional roller coaster tonight when the presenters helped deliver lambs on a farm.

People at home got to see sheep giving birth and sweet lambs taking their first steps on the BBC One show, while the reality of farming left one host in tears.

Anita Rani couldn't hide her emotions when she came across a newborn lamb that had recently died after being abandoned by its mum in a field.

It had suffocated in its amniotic sac just moments before.

The TV host, 44, had been helping farmer Katie deliver lambs in the Lake district, and said to the cameras: "I have never done this before, but I'm so excited."

Walking into fields overlooking the beautiful Pennines and the Lake District, they searched for sheep showing signs of labour.

Off in the distance Katie spotted one agitated ewe pacing up and down and she suddenly started sprinting in its direction with Anita chasing after her.

Katie explained: "They don't realise they've had it, and they run away when the lamb is still in its bubble and its choking."

They thought they had reached the lamb in time, before Katie summed up the situation and said: "It's quite cold. I'm just a bit worried about it."

She began patting the lamb, and swinging it to revive it and stimulate its muscles.

"I think unfortunately because the mother hasn't licked it, it might have died. Unfortunately we just missed it," she added.

Wiping away tears Anita replied: "I guess its nature. I wasn't expecting that. I'm really upset."

But the morning drama wasn't over, as another lamb was stuck during the delivery with its front legs back, when they should have been coming first.

Katie explained the mum's waters had burst, telling Anita: "What you need to do is pull one leg at a time, and then its head should start to pop out. Here comes the mouth."

The distressed sheep was groaning loudly, and after a wet slurping noise Katie announced: "There it is! Well done.

"We'll put it in front of the mum and she can start licking it to stimulate it."

Happy she had seen a successful birth, Anita replied: "I'm feeling exhilarated!

"That is just the most extraordinary way to start the day.

"I'm just trying to take it all in, my very first lambing experience."