October 5th 2024.
Matt Baker recently shared about his unforgettable experience on the popular TV show, Strictly Come Dancing. Despite having presented some of the biggest shows on television for the past 25 years, including Blue Peter and The One Show, Matt admits that nothing quite compares to his time on Strictly.
In 2010, Matt and his professional dance partner, Aliona Vilani, wowed audiences and reached second place in the BBC ballroom competition. Looking back, Matt recalls how busy that time was for him. Not only was he putting in grueling hours on Strictly, but he was also juggling his hosting duties on The One Show and Countryfile.
Reflecting on his experience, Matt says, "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 says he really enjoyed the training process, drawing on his years as a British squad gymnast before an anemia diagnosis ended his professional career.
Before becoming a well-known TV personality, Matt had actually trained to become an actor and had no intention of becoming a presenter. But fate had other plans when he saw an advertisement for a new Blue Peter presenter and decided to give it a shot. Little did he know, this would be the start of his successful career in television.
During his time on Blue Peter, Matt became known for his loveable and squeaky-clean image, which the show is famous for maintaining. However, Matt says he never felt any pressure to live up to this expectation. "I was just myself," he says. "I never really paid attention to any of that or got involved in any scandals. I just kept to myself."
After leaving Blue Peter, Matt moved on to other shows like Countryfile and eventually co-hosted The One Show with Alex Jones for nearly a decade before deciding to leave during the pandemic. Matt admits that he still holds a special place in his heart for The One Show, saying, "You might leave the show, but you never leave the family."
When asked if he would ever consider returning to The One Show, Matt teases, "If they needed me for anything, I'm more than happy to have a chat with them and see how I can be helpful. I love that show."
But for now, Matt is enjoying his time hosting his own travel show, Travels with Mum and Dad, on Channel 4. In its third season, Matt and his parents, Mike and Janice, travel around the North East of England, visiting various events and attractions. Matt says he loves being able to share these experiences with his parents and bring joy to their lives.
In a short pitch to viewers, Matt describes his show as a celebration of community, togetherness, and having a good time. He says, "It's all about celebrating where you live, why you live there, and just having a good time together." And for Matt, the key word is "togetherness."
Despite the challenges and controversies that have surrounded Strictly this year, Matt looks back on his time on the show with fondness. He may not have kept in touch with Aliona or the rest of his Strictly family, but the memories and the lessons he learned will always stay with him.
In the end, Matt leaves us with a powerful reminder that the key to asking a good question is to ask it in a way that allows people to interpret it for themselves. And that's exactly what he continues to do in his career, always bringing a sense of togetherness and joy to everything he does.
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