Matt Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matt Baker
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Matt Baker presenting the BBC's coverage of Crufts 2008
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| Born |
Matthew James Baker
23 December 1977 Easington, County Durham, England
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| Alma mater | Queen Margaret University |
| Occupation | Television presenter |
| Years active | 1999-present |
| Television | Blue Peter Countryfile The One Show The Gift Big Blue Live Wild Alaska Live The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge |
| Spouse(s) |
Nicola Mooney
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
Matthew James Baker MBE (born 23 December 1977) is a well-known British television presenter. He has hosted many popular TV shows, including the children's show Blue Peter from 1999 to 2006. He also co-presented Countryfile on BBC One since 2009 and The One Show from 2011 to 2020.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Matt Baker was born on 23 December 1977 in Easington, County Durham, England. His father ran a newsagent's shop, and his parents also had a small farm. Matt has one sister and two half-sisters.
When Matt was 10, his family moved to a farm west of Durham. From a young age, Matt loved to dance and was a talented gymnast. He went to Belmont Comprehensive School in Durham. Sadly, he had to stop gymnastics at age 14 because he was diagnosed with anaemia. He then studied Drama, Biology, and Sports Science in college. Later, he moved to Edinburgh to train as an actor at Queen Margaret University.
In the late 1990s, while studying drama, Matt worked as an entertainer. He was part of a fun 1970s disco-dancing show called "Disco Inferno" that toured northern England.
Career Highlights
Starting with Blue Peter
Matt originally wanted to be a physiotherapist, but he didn't get the grades he needed. After acting in a school play, someone suggested he try drama school. While he was studying, his future wife's aunt heard that Blue Peter was looking for a new presenter. Matt quickly made a video of himself on his farm, reading a story, and riding a unicycle. He was invited for an interview and made his first appearance on Blue Peter on 25 June 1999.
His gymnastics skills were very useful on the show. He trained as a stuntman and even passed the tough recruitment tests for the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment. In 2003, Matt learned to fly hang gliders and even set a world record with his instructor, Judy Leden.
During his seven years on Blue Peter, Matt worked with other presenters like Katy Hill and Konnie Huq. He won two BAFTAs for Best Children's Presenter and a Royal Television Society award. Matt left Blue Peter on 26 June 2006, and his dog, Meg, who often appeared on the show, left with him.
Exploring the Countryside with Countryfile
After Blue Peter, Matt presented Countryfile Summer Diaries and Open Country on Radio 4. Since 2009, he has been a main presenter on BBC One's popular show Countryfile, which explores the British countryside. In 2010, he also co-presented Secret Britain with Julia Bradbury.
Hosting The One Show
From 2010, Matt was a guest presenter on BBC One's evening show The One Show. He later became a permanent host, working alongside Alex Jones from Monday to Thursday.
In 2011, Matt made headlines when he asked then-Prime Minister David Cameron a very direct question: "How on earth do you sleep at night?". This showed his ability to ask tough questions.
On 4 December 2019, Matt announced on The One Show that he would be leaving the show in spring 2020. He gave an emotional speech, thanking everyone for their support, especially for the money raised during his Rickshaw Challenges for charity. His last show was on 31 March 2020, which he presented from home due to self-isolation.
Other TV Adventures
Matt has been involved in many other television projects. In 2003, he was a guest on A Song For Europe, which chose the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. He also co-presented coverage of Crufts in 2007 and 2008, a famous dog show.
He's also known for his sports commentary, especially for gymnastics at the Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He was even a Torch Bearer for the Olympic Flame in Durham City in 2012.
Matt has done a lot of work for charity. In 2009, he took part in Around the World in 80 Days for Children in Need. In 2011, he cycled 484 miles from Edinburgh to London, pulling a rickshaw, which raised over £1.5 million for the charity. He also co-hosted The Gift and Big Blue Live, a series about marine wildlife. In 2017, he co-presented Wild Alaska Live.
Dancing on Strictly Come Dancing
In 2010, Matt took part in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was partnered with professional dancer Aliona Vilani. They danced their way to second place in the final, just behind the winners. Matt and Aliona also joined the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour in 2011, performing in many shows across Britain and Ireland and winning most of them!
Acting Roles
Matt has also shown his acting skills. In 2002, he played himself in the BBC drama Cutting It. He also briefly appeared as the Blue Peter presenter in an episode of Doctor Who in 2005. In 2006, he played Dick from The Famous Five in The Queen's Handbag.
In 2008, Matt returned to his home region in North East England to play the role of Caractacus Potts in the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Sunderland Empire.
Personal Life
Matt Baker met his wife, Nicola, who is a physiotherapist, when he was performing in a disco show. They got married in 2004 and live in Buckinghamshire with their son and daughter.
In 2022, Matt was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his amazing work in fundraising and charity.
Charity Work
Matt is very involved in charity. In 2011, he became the president of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs. He is also president for Here4Horses, a charity that helps horses.
Awards and Recognition
Matt Baker is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Durham University in January 2025, recognizing his contributions.
Images for kids
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Matt Baker presenting the BBC's coverage of Crufts 2008
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Matt Baker filming Countryfile at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire
See also
- List of Blue Peter presenters
- List of Strictly Come Dancing contestants
