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BIOGRAPHY
About Matt
Matt started his TV career in 1999, his first job was Blue Peter. Seven and a half years on Blue Peter established Matt as one of the best loved and most versatile presenters in the show's history, winning him 2 BAFTA awards for Best Children's presenter and a Royal Television Society award.
Matt left Blue Peter in 2006 and began presenting a wide variety of television and radio programmes. Initially joining the BBC1 City Hospital presenting team and was also part of the initial 'One Show' series. He later returned to the One Show to present it from the studio with Gabby Logan.
Matt was born in Durham where he grew up in the Dales on his family's sheep farm. His love of the countryside and animals made him the natural choice for fronting such shows as Crufts, One Man and His Dog, Summer Countryfile Diaries, Animal Rescue Live and Animal Rescue Squad for Five and the very popular 'Secret Britain' series. He currently presents BBC1's Sunday night hit 'Countryfile ' with Julia Bradbury and writes for the Countryfile magazine.
As a boy, Matt was a British gymnastic and sports acrobatics champion, later joining the BBC sport team as a world gymnastics presenter and commentator. Matt provides commentary at the World Cup, the European and World Gymnastics Championships for BBC and presented the BBC's coverage of the gymnastics events at the 2008 Olympic Games from Beijing. Matt flew back from China to present the Olympic Concert televised live outside Buckingham Palace.
Matt co presented the 2008 live New Year programme from a boat on the Thames counting down to the spectacular firework display. Last year he helped raise money for Children in Need by taking part in the '80 Days Around the World' challenge travelling through Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia with his Countryfile co-presenter Julia Bradbury.
His other BBC credits include hosting the Evacuation series, two series of The Stables for CBBC and Live 8 on BBC3. He presented Jonny Wilkinson's Hotshots rugby series plus Jonny's rugby training DVD. Matt has also been part of the London Marathon and Derby horse racing presenting teams.
He has also made guest appearances on Something for the Weekend, The Paul O'Grady Show, Saturday Kitchen, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Song for Europe, The Wright Stuff and Children In Need.
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Achievements
Matt's exceptional physical prowess has allowed him to complete an impressive number of television challenges. He trained as a stunt man in Florida; spent a gruelling week with the Royal Marine Commandos, successfully passing their recruits' course and later completed the Para's P Company selection tests.
He also made the final of BBC Sport Relief's charity show jumping series Only Fools on Horses. He is also a hang-gliding world record holder.
Radio and Stage
Matt studied at drama school in Edinburgh and has always kept his passion for acting. He has played characters from Caractacus Potts on the UK Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, to Prince Charming and Aladdin on the largest stage in Europe.
As one of the most versatile presenters working today, Matt can also be heard presenting Open Country for BBC Radio 4.
Matt has hosted many large scale live concerts including BBC National Road Shows, 4 Family Proms in Hyde Park and many live Proms from the Albert Hall. He also co-presented three series of Making Tracks for BBC Radio 3.