For over three decades, Matt Baker has been a familiar face on British television, charming audiences from Blue Peter to Countryfile. The award-winning presenter, originally from County Durham, has deftly navigated a long career filled with memorable moments and diverse roles. Yet, he admits that he’s also managed to ruffle the feathers of at least one BBC colleague along the way.
In 2010, Matt joined the popular celebrity dance competition Strictly Come Dancing, impressively finishing as runner-up with professional partner Aliona Vilani. He describes the series as “intense,” likening the experience to his earlier days as a high-performance gymnast — a passion he was forced to abandon at 14 due to anaemia.
Matt’s natural athleticism shone through in the elaborate routines he and Aliona created, which included daring backflips and acrobatics. However, this flair didn’t always sit well with the show’s head judge, the late Len Goodman, who was known for favoring traditional ballroom technique over showy moves. “He used to call my backflips, flip flops!” Matt recalled humorously.
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Despite the pressure, Matt and Aliona pushed to not only impress technically but also enjoy the process, a balance they struck well as they advanced through the competition.
Before his TV fame, Matt trained as an actor at Queen Margaret University School of Drama. Interestingly, his theatrical background included a role in a 1970s disco-themed revival show called Disco Inferno, where he performed juggling, backflips, and somersaults as ‘Butch Vendor, the LA Bartender.’ It was during this show that he met his wife, Nicola, at a venue in Cleethorpes.
Matt recalled the embarrassment of vintage photos featuring him in a flamboyant cowboy costume, complete with a 10-gallon hat and furry waistcoat, shared during an appearance on James Martin’s Saturday Morning show.
Throughout his career, Matt has shown his versatility, appearing not only on Strictly but also on programs like A Song For Europe, City Hospital, and Animal Rescue Live. He even played a significant role in covering the 2012 London Olympics.
His relationship with Countryfile goes beyond presenting; it’s deeply personal, connecting to his family’s farming roots. Matt shared how he helped renovate his parents’ farmhouse to accommodate his mum’s recovery from a knee replacement surgery. This heartfelt family experience was captured on TV as ‘Our Farm in the Dales’ and later led to the Channel 4 series ‘Travels with Mum and Dad.’
Reflecting on these moments, Matt expressed the joy of spending treasured time with his parents—showcasing a side of the presenter that fans have come to love beyond his polished screen persona.