September 1st 2024.
Matt Baker recently shared that he had an intense experience while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. With a successful TV career spanning over 25 years, including hosting shows like Blue Peter and The One Show, nothing has impacted him quite like his time on the BBC ballroom competition.
In 2010, the 46-year-old reached second place in the series with his professional dance partner Aliona Vilani, who was 40 at the time. Looking back on that time, Matt shared with The Agency that it was a busy period for him. And that's an understatement! While giving his all on the Strictly live shows and rehearsals, he was also juggling his responsibilities on The One Show and Countryfile.
Matt reflected, "I don't think anyone in the history of Strictly has had a more intense experience than me, considering all the work I was doing at the same time." But despite the hectic schedule, Matt still looks back on his time on Strictly with fondness, even 14 years later. Although, he admitted that he hasn't kept in touch with Aliona or the other contestants from his year.
Earlier this year, the show was caught up in a scandal involving the alleged treatment of contestants. One professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, left the show after reportedly kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott. And there is an ongoing investigation into another dancer, Giovanni Pernice's conduct.
But for Matt, his time on Strictly was a positive experience, especially because it reminded him of his years as a British squad gymnast in his youth. Unfortunately, his professional career came to an end due to an anemia diagnosis. He briefly tried out pole vaulting before ultimately deciding to pursue acting. It was during this time that he learned about the search for new hosts on Blue Peter and ended up landing the role. "But I never saw myself as a presenter," Matt revealed.
From 1999 to 2006, Matt co-presented the popular children's show with other well-known personalities like Simon Thomas, Konnie Huq, and Liz Barker. Despite it being known for its squeaky clean image, there was a scandal in 1998 when former presenter Richard Bacon was found to have used cocaine and was subsequently fired by the BBC. But Matt didn't feel any pressure to maintain a certain image. "I was just myself," he said. "I never really paid attention to any of that or got involved in any of that. I just kept to myself."
After Blue Peter, Matt went on to host Countryfile and later, The One Show alongside Alex Jones for almost a decade. However, during the pandemic, he decided to leave his hosting duties to spend more time with his family. And now, there is a vacancy on The One Show after another presenter, Jermaine Jenas, was dismissed over allegations of inappropriate behavior. When asked if he would ever consider returning to the show, Matt teased, "You may leave the show, but you never leave the family." He added, "If they need me for anything, I'm more than happy to help. I love that show. I spent nine years of my life on it, so it holds a special place in my heart."
One of Matt's most memorable moments on The One Show was when he asked former prime minister David Cameron, "How on earth do you sleep at night?" To this day, he hasn't clarified if it was meant as a dig or an innocent question.
Currently, Matt can be seen on Channel 4's travel show, Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad, where he explores the North East region of England with his parents, Mike and Janice. Season 3 of the show features them visiting various events and attractions, such as the Northumberland County Show and the Durham Regatta. For Matt, filming the show is pure joy as he gets to share new experiences with his parents. He shared, "Seeing how much fun my parents are having is a real gift for me, and the fact that I can give them these new experiences." His pitch to viewers? "It's a celebration of where you live, why you live there, community, and just having a good time together," Matt explained. "The key word is togetherness."
You can catch Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad on Channel 4 from 9pm on Mondays. And if you have a story to share with the entertainment team at The Agency, you can reach out to them via email, phone, or by visiting their website. They'd love to hear from you!
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