Matt Baker

Matt Baker is the next former Blue Peter presenter I have met. I caught up with Matt during a break in rehearsals for The One Show. Matt presented Blue Peter from 1999 until 2006.

Matt had loved Blue Peter as a child and his hero was Peter Duncan, who presented the programme in the 1980's. Matt was at drama school when he sent in a showreel to the editor of Blue Peter, after trying unsuccessfully to speak to him on the phone. He was eventually given an audition and became Blue Peter's 28th presenter in June 1999.

Matt had an amazing 7 years on Blue Peter and his highlights include passing the Royal Marines potential recruits course, achiving a world record in tandem hand gliding, trips including Cambodia, Russia, Australia, Brazil and Iceland, and of course looking after his Border Collie Meg.

At School Matt had been a keen gymnast and was part of The British Junior Gymnastics team, he also enjoyed dancing, so was always part of any item that included this on the show.

Four years after Matt left Blue Peter, he took part in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was partnered with Aliona Vilani and the couple came second.

Matt features in Blue Peter books 29 -35.

During Matt's time on the progarmme he won the BAFTA for best children's presenter 2 years in a row.

Since leaving Blue Peter Matt has had a very successful TV career, working on Crufts, City Hospital, Animal Rescue Live, as well as commentating on the BBC's Olympic coverage. In 2009 Matt became one of the main presenters on the new look Countryfile on Sunday nights on BBC1. In 2010 he became the new co host of The One Show, the BBC'S nightly magazine show, with Alex Jones.