HEARTBREKING: BBC Star Makes an Emotional Revelation as They Speak About a Turning Point in Their Career.
Matt Baker with his dog Meg on Blue Peter (Image: INSTAGRAM/MATTBAKER)
Matt Baker has taken a look back at his Blue Peter days, as he sets to return to screens with a fresh career project. The 48-year-old is most recognised for fronting programmes such as The One Show, Countryfile and his farming series.
Now, with a brand new podcast, the television host is inviting guests into his Petcast caravan to discuss everything animal-related. Matt’s most famous four-legged friend was Meg, the border collie who accompanied him throughout his seven years on Blue Peter.
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Reflecting on that period in an interview with Radio Times Magazine, Matt admitted he felt “lost” before becoming Meg’s owner.
“When I moved down to London it was the first time in my life that I’d been without a dog and I felt quite lost,” he shared.
“So when I began Blue Peter I realised it would be ideal to get one and have some amazing adventures.
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Matt Baker with his wife Nicola (Image: GETTY)
“Blue Peter supported me. Meg came from a neighbour’s farm up in Durham. We covered me rearing her as a puppy to her having pups herself and the nation’s children took her to their hearts,” he added.
Matt continued by saying he enjoyed “seven glorious years” on the programme with Meg, who died in 2011.
“[We] spent the rest of her days on the farm,” he revealed. “I still think that’s a wonderful thing for children to see on TV, especially those who perhaps couldn’t have a dog.
“They saw Meg as theirs and I loved that. It made me really proud.”
Matt Baker spoke to Radio Times Magazine (Image: RADIOTIMESMAGAZINE)
Three years following his departure from Blue Peter, Matt joined Countryfile, where he continues as part of the presenting team.
Discussing his future with the programme in 2024, he told The Sun: “I’ve no plans to leave Countryfile. I mean you know I’m not on it as much as I used to be but I’m still very much part of that family.”
Between 2011 and 2020, Matt also co-presented the BBC’s The One Show alongside Alex Jones.
Following his departure from the programme, he established his own production company, Big Circus Media, with Gareth Collett.
Through the company, he developed Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker, which chronicles the National Trust as it seeks a new tenant to manage a 600-acre farm in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales.
The programme was last broadcast in 2025 and it remains unclear whether a new series will air this year.
In addition to the presenter’s new podcast, he will also front Matt Baker: Life With Dogs for BBC 2 daytime, produced by his company.
He told The Mirror: “Dogs have been a lifelong passion of mine and I’m so excited to be making this series about the bond between humans and dogs.
“As well as acquiring my professional dog training qualifications I’m going to be meeting a whole range of incredible canines that enrich our lives from cancer detection to conversation. It’s the ultimate show to celebrate our lives with dogs.”
