NEWS

Children in Need - Rickshaw Challenge Total Update

We've heard a latest total for Matt's epic Children in Need challenge....... it now stands at over 1.9 million pounds! A massive thank you to everyone who donated to CIN and supported Matt on his Rickshaw ride.

Children in Need - Rickshaw Challenge

You may have seen Matt announcing the challenge he's been set to raise money for Children in Need this year on the One Show. He has to complete the Rickshaw Challenge which involves him cycling on a rickshaw from Edinburgh to London in just 8 days! You may be thinking that's quite do-able for someone like Matt but it is going to be tough. When you factor in that a rickshaw is nothing like a normal bike, he will be pulling the equivalent of 24 stone, the weather will be awful and it's a long long way! He will need all of your support so either get in the back, cheer him on along the route, make something tasty to keep his strength up or to donate £5, text "MATT" to 70705, texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message, £5 will go to BBC Children in Need. Click here for full terms and conditions. You must be over 16 and ask the bill payer's permission.

Head over Heels in Japan....

It's the World Gymnastic Championships In Japan and Matt will be jetting off to host the commentary and present all the action from the event. He will be live on the red button as usual with Mitch Fenner and Christine Still and there will be a daily round up of all the action from Thursday to Sunday on BBC2.

Sad news about Meg

It is with great sadness we have to let you know that Matt's beloved dog Meg passed away this week and this is what Matt wanted to say...

"I picked Meg up as a 9 week old pup from a neighbours farm, I felt as soon as we met she was something special, and it wasn’t just her recognisable triangular ears! I never dreamt she would turn out to be my most faithful friend. Not only did she bring happiness to millions of children and dog lovers as a brilliant Blue Peter dog, always getting far more fan mail than me, she was; an action hero, full of fun and always had play at heart. She was renowned in the tv world as the ‘ultimate herder’ and loved rounding up camera’s as well as our crew. She was the best family and farm dog anyone could wish for,which is a rare combination in its self, and she loved nothing better than for us all to be together as a family. She has left us with some wonderful memories. All in all she was a real one off, we travelled thousands of miles together and I will always be proud to say she was mine. Meg was 11 years old and had an inoperable bone tumour on her pelvis. I will miss her greatly. She passed away in the sunshine peacefully at the farm in Durham on Tuesday morning in my arms and I laid her to rest in her favourite field looking out on to the sheep."

I picked Meg up as a 9 week old pup from a neighbours farm, I felt as soon as we met she was something special, and it wasn’t just her recognisable triangular ears! I never dreamt she would turn out to be my most faithful friend. Not only did she bring happiness to millions of children and dog lovers as a brilliant Blue Peter dog, always getting far more fan mail than me, she was; an action hero, full of fun and always had play at heart. She was renowned in the tv world as the ‘ultimate herder’ and loved rounding up camera’s as well as our crew. She was the best family and farm dog anyone could wish for,which is a rare combination in its self, and she loved nothing better than for us all to be together as a family. She has left us with some wonderful memories. All in all she was a real one off, we travelled thousands of miles together and I will always be proud to say she was mine. Meg was 11 years old and had an inoperable bone tumour on her pelvis. I will miss her greatly. She passed away in the sunshine peacefully at the farm in Durham on Tuesday morning in my arms and I laid her to rest in her favourite field looking out on to the sheep.

Matt at Gardeners World

Matt will be appearing on the Countryfile stage again at this years Gardeners World/Good Food event at the Birmingham NEC. Come and see Matt and listen to him talk about Countryfile and get the chance to ask him a question of your own. He will be on the Countryfile stage throughout the day on Saturday 18th June.

It's 'Mr President' from now on.........

On Sunday 8th May Matt was officially sworn in as the new President of the National Federation of Young Farmers at their Annual General Meeting in Blackpool. He follows in the footsteps of outgoing President Lionel Hill and previously Prince Charles and part of his first duties was to judge the Jazz Dance Finals. Matt is looking forward to his year as President and is looking forward to helping raise the profile of the organisation. To check out some of the action from the weekend go to the NFYFC website.

Great Salford Swim

Matt will be jumping in at the deep end this weekend to present the swimming live from Salford Quays alongside Olympic medalist Ian Thorpe. It is part of the BBC initiative to get people swimming so tune in from 2pm on Sunday 15th May on BBC2.

Children's Champions

Matt attended the Children's Champions Awards in London this week with his One Show co-host Alex Jones. It was a star studded ceremony that honoured those who have made a difference to children's lives across the country and abroad. There were some truly inspirational stories, well done to all those collecting awards.

Matt Brings Home a Glitterball

Matt and Aliona had a very enjoyable Strictly Come Dancing Tour indeed................. winning 26 shows making them the most successful couple on tour of all time. Congratulations Matt and Aliona! As a result they both got to take home a coveted mirrorball trophy each to remind them of their time touring Britain. There will be a round up on the tour coming soon on the Strictly Come Dancing page.

Matt's got it Covered

Matt appears on the cover of Countryfile magazine this month and is featured inside talking about his life and love of sheepdogs. It's definitely worth a read.

He's the One!

It's official, Matt is taking on the role of host of the One Show with Alex Jones on Monday 14th February. Having stood in a few times on the show he can't wait to get started in the role permanently. Don't worry though he will still be doing Countryfile so you will be able to see Matt Monday to Thursday at 7pm on BBC1 and still on a Sunday night with Julia Bradbury and the team.

Is Matt Coming to a Town Near You?

Matt is going on the Strictly Tour which starts in Nottingham on Friday 14th January. The Tour will continue around the UK and Ireland until the 13th February and you can see Matt and Aliona dance their Samba and Tango from the Strictly Come Dancing series.

It's the Final Countdown!

This Saturday sees the final of Strictly Come Dancing where Matt and Aliona, Kara and Artem and Pamela and James will be going up against each other to win the coveted 'Glitterbal Trophy'. Tune in to BBC1 from 7pm to find out who wins and see the last dances of the series. We're sure it's going to be a fantastic final........ Go Matt!

More TV News

Matt will be on the One Show sofa from Monday to Wednesday this week so you can catch him on BBC1 and BBC1 HD at 7pm. We also hear that he will be filming a Countryfile Winter special next week so will keep you posted as to when that will be on our screens and he'll be appearing on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. Check out the BBC Strictly website for details of who the 5 celebrities are taking part this Christmas

Matt Gets in to the Christmas Spirit

Matt has joined other celebrities who have designed charity Christmas cards which are going on sale for the Blue Peter Go Cardz appeal, which aims to raise £80,000 to fund a network of 100 Whizz-Kidz clinics for disabled youngsters.

Matt has produced a Strictly Come Dancing-themed card, and other designers include Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park and Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton.

Even More Matt Baker on the Telly!

Not only can you catch Matt on Countryfile and Strictly Come Dancing at the weekends, you can also see him present the One Show this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as well as It Takes Two on Friday! Hopefully he can fit in some dance training in too!

Matt and Aliona.... a match made in heaven!

We saw Matt and the other Strictly contestants nervously waiting to find out who their dance partners would be on Saturday night. Matt's partner for Strictly Series 8 is Aliona Vilani and they will start training on Monday. Matt is fitting in dance rehearsals around filming for Countryfile so will be very busy in the next few weeks. You can find out more about Aliona by clicking here. There will also be a new Strictly Come Dancing page on Matt's website coming soon.

It's Strictly Matt Baker!

For all you Strictly Come Damcing Fans out there you will be pleased to hear that Matt will be taking part in the new series of Strictly this year! There will be a brand new set, a new pro dance troup and 3 new male dancers - it should be the most exciting Strictly Come Dancing yet! It all kicks off on Saturday 11th September at 6.25pm on BBC1, with a special launch show where the celebrity contestants find out live on the programme who their partner will be!

A Welcome Return to the One Show

Matt will be popping up on the One Show over the next couple of months starting from this Thursday 16th September, so make sure you keep and eye out for him, 7pm BBC1.