NEWS
Matt returns to The One Show sofa
For 2 weeks from the 17th May, Matt will be hosting the One Show from Monday to Friday alongside Christine Bleakley. He will still be out and about filming for Countryfile but is looking forward to getting back into the studio. Make sure you tune in from 7pm on BBC 1.
Secret Britain
At the end of the summer Matt will be presenting a new Sunday evening series for BBC1. Together with Julia Bradbury he will be visiting the most special places in Britain nominated by you. They are just about to start their tour so make sure you get your nominations in.
European Gymnastics 2010
Matt returns to the commentary box for the European Gymnastics at Birmingham NIA. You can watch live on the red button and see the men compete in the team and individual apparatus finals on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April and then see the women do the same the following weekend (Saturday 1st May and Sunday 2nd May). The Brits have several good chances of medals with both of the teams, Daniel Keatings and Louis Smith on the pommel horse and of course Beth Tweddle on the bars and floor.
TRIC Award Nomination
Countryfile has been nominated for 'Best factual Programme' in the TRIC Awards alongside James' May's Toy Stories and Oz and James Drink to Britain. It's tough competition with the results announced on Tuesday 9th March in a special Awards Lunch Ceremony. Good luck Matt and Countryfile!
Manchester Concert
On Sunday 14th March Matt will be hosting a special Prom with the Philharmonic Orchestra in Manchester. It should be a special event so make sure you get your tickets!
Sports Personality of the Year 2009
On Sunday 13th December you can see Sports Personality of the Year 2009 coming live from the Sheffield Arena on BBC1 at 7pm (no Countryfile this week I'm afraid!). Beth Tweddle is one of the nominees to receive the award and as Gymnastic commentator for BBC Sport Matt has been talking about the last year in Gymnastics on the BBC Sport website. Click here to see Matt talking about 2009 and see the Sports Personality nominees (and make sure you vote for World Gold Medalist Beth as this years winner!)
A Big Thank you from Matt - Children in Need
Matt just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated money to his Around the World in 80 Days Challenge for Children in Need. With your help he managed to raise over £11,000, which is absolutely fantastic ! This is on top of the money raised by the 80 Days team that was announced on the night. So many of you helped by fundraising in different ways such as the amazing Silver Ukulele Band at the Sage in Gateshead that raised over £800 pounds, fantastic schools like Malet Lambert in Hull, Tring School, Meltham Moor Primary, Hawridge and Cholesbury and Tring Park Nursery. Thanks also to Andrew Hall who donated a wonderful wooden had to be auctioned off and to all of Matt's friends and family. Thank you everyone for all your help and support!
There's only One Matt Baker!
Matt is presenting the One Show with Gaby Logan for one night only this Thursday 19th November. Tune in at 7pm to see Matt with his special guest Zac Effron and watch either Adrian or Christine get gunged for Children in Need!
80 Days Around the World is here!
You can see Matt's episode of the Children in Need challenge on Tuesday 27th October. Tune in to BBC1 at 9pm to see how Matt and Julia got on trying to get from Khazakstan to China (and find out how he managed to get a broken nose!) Matt really needs your help and support to raise as much money as possible for Pudsey. To find out more about 80 Days check out the Children in Need website. Show your support for Children in Need and Matt today by donating on his charity page or why not 'Do Something Different' to raise as much money as you can on behalf of Matt and donate that. It's a great charity and a great challenge! DONATE NOW
Roll on the Gymnastics!
The Gymnastic World Championships are being held at London's O2 Arena from 13th -18th October. It will be like a dress rehearsal for the Olympics in 2012 as the gymnastics will be staged at the O2 Arena then as well. Matt will be back in the commentary box and we have some medal hopefuls too - Daniel Keatings in the All Around and Pommel, Beth Tweddle on the Bars and Floor, Louis Smith on the Pommel and Becky Downie in the All Around. You can catch the action on the BBC with interactive coverage on Thursday (mens all around final) from 6.30pm - 9.30pm : Friday 1pm and 7pm on BBC2 (highlights of Thurs and women's all around) with the Apparatus Finals at the weekend watch BBC1 on Saturday from 1pm and Sunday on BBC2 from 1pm. Go on Great Britain!
Countryfile on the Farm
Watch Countryfile on Sunday 27th September at 7pm BBC1, which will be from the Durham Dales where Matt grew up. Not only do we get to see the beautiful countryside we also get a glimpse of Matt's family farm where they'll be scanning their sheep to see if they are in lamb and checking out their ancient woodland.
A New Addition to the Family........
Congratulations to Matt and his wife Nicola who had a not so little baby girl called Molly Scarlett who arrived at the end of August weighing 9lb 3oz.
80 Days Around the World
As part of this years Children in Need 6 pairs of celebrities are attempting to travel round the world in 80 days in the style of Phileas Fogg. Matt is on the 3rd leg along with his fellow Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury. Matt is trying to raise as much money for Children in Need as possible and would love you to donate as much as you can. To donate click here. If you want to know more about this exciting journey and who else is taking part then click here.
One Matt and His Dog Go to Ireland
Matt is about to head off to film this years One Man and His Dog for the BBC. It will be held in Ireland this time as the Irish team won last years competition and Matt will be hosting again along with Gus and Kate Humble. It is due to be screened later this year.
Charity Golf Day at Slaley Hall - 1st May - What Matt had to say.......
I had a brilliant time playing my first ever round of golf and helping to raise money for charity. I turned up with my brand new set of golf clubs and bag wondering the best way of finding lost balls and wether or not I was wearing the right thing. After a rather tasty bacon sarnie we were split into teams so I was playing against the likes of Ant and Dec, footballing legends Rob Lee, Chris Waddle and Lee Sharpe and Tyrone from Coronation Street, all good golfers. Although my team didn't win amazingly we didn't come last and I only lost 2 balls! The weather held out for us as we played round the beautiful 18 hole course at Slaley Hall and the day was followed by a packed evening of food and entertainment. In a strange game of human heads and tails my wife (who being pregnant was probably the only sober person in the room) made it to the final with Ant McPartlin and beat him to win a very nice handbag. I think Ant was pretty gutted to miss out on the bag it was just his colour! By the end of the night over £20,000 had been raised for Dec's brother's charity. I can't wait for next year, as I'm now off to buy a big fat driver and practice my putting in the front garden!
Countryfile at Gardeners World Live
Gardeners World Live is on again this year at the Birmingham NEC from June 11th to 14th. This year Matt will be appearing on the Countryfile Stand throughout Thursday 11th and Friday 12th June. So, if you would like the chance to meet him and the other Countryfile presenters head for Gardeners World Live!
Matt on Paul O'Grady
Tune in to The Paul O'Grady Show on Wednesday 13th May on Channel 4 at 5pm to see Matt appear as a guest. His Countryfile co-presenter Julia Bradbury will also be there to talk about the new Countryfile show. As a strange coincidence, actor Joe MacFadden will also be on the show and Matt, Paul and Joe have all been in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! We also hear that Matt will be on UKTV Food's Market Kitchen in the near future in a 'lamb themed' episode to tie in with his family's sheep farm in the Durham Dales.
Calling all Sports Fans
On May 15th and 16th the Glasgow Gymnastics Grand Prix will take place which will be a great warm up for the World Championships at the O2 Arena in London later this year. As usual Matt will be there guiding you through the action. You will be able to see the live finals on the BBC by pressing the red button on Saturday 16th May from 1pm until 6pm, with highlights on Sunday 17th May from 2pm until 3.30pm on BBC2. Enjoy!
Charity Golf Challenge
Matt has recently taken up golf and has been asked to take part in a Charity Golf Challenge at Slaley Hall in the North East on Friday 1st May. Having only just started playing this year Matt hopes there won't be too many double bogeys but has promised to let us know how he gets on!
Lets Get Physical with Matt!
It's almost time for the London Marathon again but unfortunately Matt won't be putting on a tight pair of shorts to run it, but he will be part of the presenting team for the BBC covering it. Oh well, there's always next year!