Sonali Shah, the familiar face from shows like Newsround and Escape to the Country, leads a fascinating life off-screen, dabbling in children's literature and revealing her hidden talents.

The 44 year old BBC presenter is blissfully wed to Adarsh Shah, with whom she shares two kids, Ariana and Rafi. The London-based family values their privacy, yet Sonali occasionally offers fans a sneak peek into their lives, such as posting an endearing throwback snap of newborn Ariana on Instagram for International Daughters Day in 2020.

She reminisced with the caption: "I took this photo almost 7 years ago... Ariana used to sleep on my shoulder... now she rests her head on my shoulder when she stands so tall next to little ol' me. My mum is right, there's nothing quite like having a daughter."

Chatting with Baby Magazine, Sonali likened motherhood to a "rollercoaster" and discussed the juggling act of being a working parent. She recounted the hectic mornings before work and the treasured calm moments where she can savour her family life.

In a conversation with the Express, Sonali divulged details about her wedding attire, sharing that she designed her two dresses during a fortnight stay in Mumbai, reports OK!. She revealed: "I spent two weeks in Mumbai and designed them myself. Saris are the closest things I have to couture."

Sonali has more strings to her bow than just journalism she's also a seasoned dancer with over ten years of training under her belt. The 44 year old is not only skilled in street dance but also Indian classical and folk styles.

Raised in Edgware, London by her Indian migrant parents and alongside her younger brother Amal, Sonali attended Longfield First and Middle School before moving on to Whitmore High School in Harrow. Her academic journey took her to Nottingham Trent University where she studied broadcast journalism.

After graduating, Sonali joined the BBC World Service as a producer in 2002, quickly becoming a familiar voice on shows like The World Today and World Business Report. She's since become a staple on British TV, presenting Sportsround, covering major events such as the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and BBC One's British Olympic Dreams.

Sonali's charm and talent have won her a plethora of celebrity pals, including Strictly Come Dancing favourites Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec, as well as Nicki Chapman, the late Jonnie Irwin, and Jules Hudson.

Despite not reaching the final of BBC's Let's Dance for Comic Relief with co-presenter Ore Oduba, Sonali still showcased her impressive moves to Outkast's Hey Ya!

She continues to share her passion for dance with her followers on Instagram, proving that there's much more to this presenter than meets the eye.