BBC Countryfile's Matt Baker admits he 'never wanted to do TV' in honest career admission
BBC Countryfile's Matt Baker admits he 'never wanted to do TV' in honest career admission
Countryfile presenter Matt Baker has opened up about his career in television and how he never really wanted to be on the small screen, despite his parents loving it
Matt Baker has spoken about never really wanting to do TV work
Television host Matt Baker has shared his initial ambivalence towards a career in television during a heartfelt conversation with BBC Radio Wales presenter Eleri Sion about working with his parents on screen.
Matt, 47, opened up to the presenter about his unexpected journey into television and the joy of working alongside his mum and dad for the cameras.
He revealed that while his parents were naturals when appearing on camera, he hadn't initially envisaged a career for himself in television, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Matt remembered: "They loved every second. I mean they're so brilliant on camera my mum and dad. I mean I never really wanted to do TV.
"I've got the gift of the gab from them really. We just had fun filming and all the crews are friendly and actually the sound man...worked with me back in the day on Blue Peter."
The Countryfile presenter has opened up his personal life more than once lately, most recently following the wrap-up of Channel 4 show Our Dream Farm, where young farmers compete to take over a farm in Wales.
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Matt Baker has spoken about how much he enjoyed working with his parents
(Image: Steven Landles / Channel 4 )
Taking to Instagram after the show's finale, Matt expressed gratitude to his followers and shared his pleasure in highlighting the efforts of contemporary farmers.
He said: "I can't believe that tonight, Saturday, is the final episode of Our Dream Farm. Thank you all for watching and supporting our brilliant young applicants through the series.
"I've loved shining a light on what our farmers do - a community I'm so proud to be part of. Those who care for our countryside, produce our food, and look after our landscape all at the same time."
Apart from his on-screen endeavours, Matt has also been open about his personal health challenges, including his dyslexia - a condition that didn't hinder him from establishing himself among Britain's television elite.
Matt Baker is one of the UK's most prominent dsylexics
(Image: ITV )
Remarkably candid about his life-long battle with anaemia, Matt recounted his experience to the Telegraph.
He told the publication: "When I was told aged 13 that I was anaemic and had to slow down my gymnastics training, which meant that I wouldn't be able to continue at the level I was at, I was really upset.
"I'd lost my identity in a way. But then I just committed to something else: I went off and became a North of England pole-vaulting champion and did sports acrobatics."
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A passionate gymnast from the age of five, Matt embarked on competitive gymnastics, acquiring several junior accolades and a North of England title. He later transitioned to delivering commentary for major events such as the 2024 Olympic Games.
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