TV presenter Matt Baker devastated fans when he left The One Show in early 2020 – but he had a very good reason.
Back in 2022, the Countryfile host spoke about why he quit the BBC sofa after almost a decade on our screens.
The One Show: Matt Baker on leaving
Matt’s always been the outdoors type, being the son of a farmer.
So when his mum Janice had an accident in July 2020 he was happy to step up.
He and his wife Nicola have two kids called Mike and Molly.
The countryside has made me who I am.
Matt realised he had to move them back home to the Durham Dales to help run the family’s 100 acre farm, hence steppin back from the BBC One series.
Shepherdess Janice was left with a fractured tibia when she was knocked over by some large sheep. And Matt’s dad Mike needed help to run the farm. Canny as ever, Matt secured a commission and C4 documentary series Our Farm In The Dales was born.
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He told The Yorkshire Post : “When you get to a certain point in your life you start reflecting. I’d had that period in my life when I was so busy with The One Show – which was fantastic – but then you suddenly realise what makes you.
“The countryside has made me who I am. There’s only ever been six months in my life when I haven’t had a flock of sheep!”
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New Dream Farm show
The presenter hasn’t turned his back on TV completely, though. He’s now fronting Our Dream Farm With Matt Baker for Channel 4.
It follows farming families as they compete for a coveted tenancy on an epic National Trust estate.
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Our Dream Farm With Matt Baker is on Saturday (April 13) on Channel 4 at 8pm.
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