Matt Baker
Encyclopedia
Matthew James Baker is an English television presenter who co-hosts the Monday-Thursday editions of BBC One
's The One Show
and co-presents Countryfile
on the same channel.
, County Durham
, Baker's father ran a newsagents shop, and his parents had a smallholding
in the village. When he was aged 10, his parents bought a farm west of Durham, which they moved into and renovated. He has one sister and two half-sisters.
As a boy, he was a Junior British gymnast and sports acrobatics champion, but was forced to give up after being diagnosed with anaemia aged 14. After this he undertook various activities to fill the gap in his life, including sheepdog trials and pole vaulting.
In the late 1990s as a student at Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh (now Queen Margaret University), Baker worked as a DJ, and toured with a 1970s comedy disco-dancing revival show called "Al Fresco's Disco Inferno", which toured the northeast. Baker played the part of "Butch Vendor, the LA Bartender," later changed to Bernie Suntan. He had to juggle wooden clubs, which his father painted to look like spirits bottles, and do back flips.
and not making the grade academically, it was suggested that he attend drama school. Having just finished the second year of a three year course at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
, his future wife's aunt spotted that Blue Peter
were looking for a new presenter. After failing with four phone calls directly to the producers office, he put together a show reel of him: presenting to camera in the farmyard; reading a story; and riding a unicycle
.
Asked to come to London the next day for an interview, he made his first appearance on the show 25 June, 1999. His gymnastic background helped him in the physical challenges that he undertook, training as a stuntman in addition to passing the recruitment courses for both the Royal Marines
and the Parachute Regiment.
In 2003 Baker learnt to fly hang gliders & made a successful tandem world record breaking flight with Airways Airsports
instructor Judy Leden
MBE.
During his seven years on Blue Peter, his colleagues were Katy Hill
, Konnie Huq
, Simon Thomas
, Liz Barker
, Zöe Salmon
and Gethin Jones
. He also won two BAFTAs for Best Children's Presenter (two years in a row) and a Royal Television Society
award. On 5 June 2006 Baker announced his decision to leave Blue Peter at the end of its 2005–06 series. and his last live show was broadcast on 26 June. Baker's dog Meg, seen alongside him on the programme from 2000 onwards, left with him.
, along with Open Country for Radio 4
and Animal Rescue Squad and Animal Rescue Squad International for Channel 5. From 2009 he has co-presented BBC One
's Countryfile
on Sunday evenings with Julia Bradbury
. In August 2010 he was also co-presenter of the popular prime time BBC One
series Secret Britain with Bradbury. He has also presented One Man and His Dog, alongside Kate Humble
.
's The One Show
. Following Jason Manford
's resignation on 18 November 2010, Baker acted as a guest co-host on the programme. He took over as permanent Monday-Thursday co-host alongside Alex Jones
on 14 February 2011.
He gained media attention and accusations of pro-Labour bias for asking Prime Minister David Cameron
, "How on earth do you sleep at night?" on the Tuesday 8th March episode of the show. Opinions differed as to whether the question was merely a query about Cameron's work-load or a political accusation.
's A Song For Europe
contest to decide the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest
, announcing the scores for the North of England.
Baker was one of three main presenters on the final series of the BBC One
daytime reality series City Hospital. In March 2007, and again in 2008 he co-presented the BBC's coverage of Crufts
. Also in 2007, he co-presented the one-off daytime series Animal Rescue Live with Selina Scott
.
As part of the celebration for London's win to host the 2012 Olympics
, Baker co-hosted the London 2012 party alongside Claudia Winkleman
on 24 August 2008, after the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics
.
In October 2009, Baker took part in the BBC television reality programme Around the World in 80 Days
, to raise money for Children in Need
. He undertook the Kazakhstan
to Mongolia
leg with Julia Bradbury.
Another notable attempt to raise money for Children in Need
, saw him ride a bicycle towing a rickshaw 484 miles from Edinburgh to London. This took place in 2011, starting on the 11th of November, running through to the fund raising night on the 18th. He averaged around 60 miles per day and was successful in his attempt, raising well over 1.5 million pounds for the charity.
event Only Fools on Horses
.
On 8 September 2010, he was announced as a participating celebrity in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing
, partnering Aliona Vilani
. The pair were runners-up to Kara Tointon
and Artem Chigvintsev
in the final.
Baker and Vilani also participated in the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. They performed in all thirty-five shows on the tour in arenas throughout Britain and Ireland, winning on twenty-six occasions.
in Beijing, Baker commentated on the gymnastics
events. He also does the voiceover links for BBC Radio Newcastle
.
, while in 2005, he briefly appeared as himself in an episode of the revived sci-fi series Doctor Who
, whilst The Doctor
was flicking through television channels.
In June 2006, Baker played the role of Dick from The Famous Five
in The Queen's Handbag.
In 2008 he returned to his native north-east of England
to play the role of Caractacus Potts
in a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
at the Sunderland Empire
.
show at Pier 39 in Cleethorpes
. The couple married at Winston
in Teesdale
, in 2004 and live in Buckland Common
, Buckinghamshire
with their son Luke (born 2007) and daughter Molly Scarlett (born August 2009).
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
and co-presents Countryfile
Countryfile
Countryfile is a British magazine-style television programme produced by BBC Birmingham, first aired on 24th July 1988, which reports on rural and environmental issues within the United Kingdom. For its first 20 years it was fronted by broadcaster John Craven, until he stepped back from the role of...
on the same channel.
Early life
Born in EasingtonEasington, County Durham
Easington is a town in eastern County Durham, England. It comprises the ancient village of Easington Village and the ex-mining town of Easington Colliery, which are separate civil parishes. It is located at the junction of the A182 leading north-west to Hetton-le-Hole. Seaham Harbour and...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, Baker's father ran a newsagents shop, and his parents had a smallholding
Smallholding
A smallholding is a farm of small size.In third world countries, smallholdings are usually farms supporting a single family with a mixture of cash crops and subsistence farming. As a country becomes more affluent and farming practices become more efficient, smallholdings may persist as a legacy of...
in the village. When he was aged 10, his parents bought a farm west of Durham, which they moved into and renovated. He has one sister and two half-sisters.
As a boy, he was a Junior British gymnast and sports acrobatics champion, but was forced to give up after being diagnosed with anaemia aged 14. After this he undertook various activities to fill the gap in his life, including sheepdog trials and pole vaulting.
In the late 1990s as a student at Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh (now Queen Margaret University), Baker worked as a DJ, and toured with a 1970s comedy disco-dancing revival show called "Al Fresco's Disco Inferno", which toured the northeast. Baker played the part of "Butch Vendor, the LA Bartender," later changed to Bernie Suntan. He had to juggle wooden clubs, which his father painted to look like spirits bottles, and do back flips.
Blue Peter
Baker had wanted to become a physiotherapist, but due to a combination of an appearance in the school production of GreaseGrease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
and not making the grade academically, it was suggested that he attend drama school. Having just finished the second year of a three year course at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, his future wife's aunt spotted that Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
were looking for a new presenter. After failing with four phone calls directly to the producers office, he put together a show reel of him: presenting to camera in the farmyard; reading a story; and riding a unicycle
Unicycle
A unicycle is a human-powered, single-track vehicle with one wheel. Unicycles resemble bicycles, but are less complex.-History:One theory of the advent of the unicycle stems from the popularity of the penny-farthing during the late 19th century...
.
Asked to come to London the next day for an interview, he made his first appearance on the show 25 June, 1999. His gymnastic background helped him in the physical challenges that he undertook, training as a stuntman in addition to passing the recruitment courses for both the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
and the Parachute Regiment.
In 2003 Baker learnt to fly hang gliders & made a successful tandem world record breaking flight with Airways Airsports
Airways Airsports
Airways Airsports is based at Darley Moor Airfield, Derbyshire, is the only airpark in the United Kingdom offering hang gliding, paragliding, paramotoring and microlight training and flying. It is a British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and British Microlight Aircraft Association...
instructor Judy Leden
Judy Leden
Judy Leden, MBE, has held three world championships, twice in hang gliding, once in paragliding. Judy Leden was born near London in 1959. At the age of 19 whilst at studying in Wales she took up hang gliding as a hobby. She later gave up her studies to concentrate on her flying, eventually taking...
MBE.
During his seven years on Blue Peter, his colleagues were Katy Hill
Katy Hill
Katy Hill is an English television presenter, who worked on the BBC children's magazine programme Blue Peter for five years.-Biography:...
, Konnie Huq
Konnie Huq
Kanak Asha "Konnie" Huq is a British television presenter, who is best known for being the longest-serving female presenter of Blue Peter, having presented it from 1 December 1997 until 23 January 2008...
, Simon Thomas
Simon Thomas (television presenter)
Simon Thomas is a British television presenter, who worked on Blue Peter for six years.-Early life:Simon Thomas was born in Norwich, Norfolk to Andrew and Gill Thomas. He has two sisters called Hannah and Rebecca...
, Liz Barker
Liz Barker
Elizabeth Jane 'Liz' Barker is a television presenter on British television. She has one younger sister, Suzanne and is a distant relative of guitarist Dave Hill....
, Zöe Salmon
Zöe Salmon
Zöe Salmon is a television presenter who hosted the children's television show Blue Peter from 23 December 2004 to 25 June 2008. She also appeared on Dancing on Ice in early 2009.-Life and career:...
and Gethin Jones
Gethin Jones
Gethin Clifford Jones is a Welsh television presenter who has co-presented the BBC children's programme Blue Peter....
. He also won two BAFTAs for Best Children's Presenter (two years in a row) and a Royal Television Society
Royal Television Society
The Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...
award. On 5 June 2006 Baker announced his decision to leave Blue Peter at the end of its 2005–06 series. and his last live show was broadcast on 26 June. Baker's dog Meg, seen alongside him on the programme from 2000 onwards, left with him.
Countryfile and nature programmes
Baker co-presented Countryfile Summer Diaries on weekday mornings on BBC OneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, along with Open Country for Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
and Animal Rescue Squad and Animal Rescue Squad International for Channel 5. From 2009 he has co-presented BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Countryfile
Countryfile
Countryfile is a British magazine-style television programme produced by BBC Birmingham, first aired on 24th July 1988, which reports on rural and environmental issues within the United Kingdom. For its first 20 years it was fronted by broadcaster John Craven, until he stepped back from the role of...
on Sunday evenings with Julia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:...
. In August 2010 he was also co-presenter of the popular prime time BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
series Secret Britain with Bradbury. He has also presented One Man and His Dog, alongside Kate Humble
Kate Humble
Katherine 'Kate' Humble is an English television presenter, mainly for the BBC, specialising in wildlife and science programmes...
.
The One Show
From May to August 2010 Baker was a guest presenter on weekday evenings, on BBC OneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
. Following Jason Manford
Jason Manford
Jason John Manford is an English comedian, television presenter and actor.- Early life :Manford was born to an Irish family in Salford, Greater Manchester, a son of Sharon , who is a Catholic and Ian Manford. He grew up in poverty in a terraced house in Manchester...
's resignation on 18 November 2010, Baker acted as a guest co-host on the programme. He took over as permanent Monday-Thursday co-host alongside Alex Jones
Alex Jones (presenter)
Charlotte Alexandra "Alex" Jones is a Welsh television presenter, from Ammanford, best known for co-presenting BBC's The One Show since August 2010.-Early life:...
on 14 February 2011.
He gained media attention and accusations of pro-Labour bias for asking Prime Minister David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
, "How on earth do you sleep at night?" on the Tuesday 8th March episode of the show. Opinions differed as to whether the question was merely a query about Cameron's work-load or a political accusation.
Other TV work
In 2003, Baker was a guest on the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's A Song For Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
contest to decide the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
, announcing the scores for the North of England.
Baker was one of three main presenters on the final series of the BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
daytime reality series City Hospital. In March 2007, and again in 2008 he co-presented the BBC's coverage of Crufts
Crufts
Crufts is an annual international Championship conformation show for dogs organised and hosted by the Kennel Club, currently held every March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. It is the largest annual dog show in the world, as declared by Guinness World Records, and lasts...
. Also in 2007, he co-presented the one-off daytime series Animal Rescue Live with Selina Scott
Selina Scott
Selina Scott is a British newsreader, journalist, television producer and presenter.- Background and early life :Scott was born in Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire in 1951, the eldest of five children...
.
As part of the celebration for London's win to host the 2012 Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
, Baker co-hosted the London 2012 party alongside Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Anne I. Winkleman is an English television presenter, film critic, radio personality and journalist.- Early life and family :...
on 24 August 2008, after the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
In October 2009, Baker took part in the BBC television reality programme Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days (Children in Need 2009)
Around the World in 80 Days is a British travel documentary series made to support the annual BBC Children in Need charity appeal in 2009. It sees twelve celebrities attempt to circumnavigate the globe in eighty days without using air transport, recreating the journey of Phileas Fogg and Michael...
, to raise money for Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
. He undertook the Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
to Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
leg with Julia Bradbury.
Another notable attempt to raise money for Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
, saw him ride a bicycle towing a rickshaw 484 miles from Edinburgh to London. This took place in 2011, starting on the 11th of November, running through to the fund raising night on the 18th. He averaged around 60 miles per day and was successful in his attempt, raising well over 1.5 million pounds for the charity.
Gameshows
In the summer of 2006, Baker was a celebrity showjumper in the BBC's Sport ReliefSport Relief
Sport Relief is a biennial charity event from Comic Relief, in association with BBC Sport, which brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world's poorest countries...
event Only Fools on Horses
Only Fools on Horses
Only Fools on Horses was a BBC reality television programme produced by Endemol UK. The show's name was a play on that of the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, and first aired on 7 July 2006. It featured twelve celebrities who performed equestrian events, with one celebrity being eliminated every day...
.
On 8 September 2010, he was announced as a participating celebrity in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing (series 8)
The eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing began with a red carpet launch show on 11 September 2010, and the competitive live shows began on 1 October. The series concluded on 18 December when Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev won the competition...
, partnering Aliona Vilani
Aliona Vilani
Aliona Vilani is a Kazakh professional dancer. She describes herself as the "pussycat" of the dancing world.-Biography:Aliona started dancing ballet when she was five years old and started ballroom dancing at age 11...
. The pair were runners-up to Kara Tointon
Kara Tointon
Kara Louise Tointon is a British actress, best known for playing Dawn Swann in BBC soap opera EastEnders. Tointon was the 2010 winner of BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing.-Early life:...
and Artem Chigvintsev
Artem Chigvintsev
Artem Chigvintsev is a Russian professional dancer, born at Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, RSFSR, Soviet Union, specialising in Latin dancing.He moved to the United States in 2003, and began dancing with champion ballroom dancer Giselle Peacock, who became his wife...
in the final.
Baker and Vilani also participated in the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. They performed in all thirty-five shows on the tour in arenas throughout Britain and Ireland, winning on twenty-six occasions.
Strictly Come Dancing performances
| Week | Dance/song | Judges' score | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horwood | Goodman | Dixon | Tonioli | Total | |||
| 1 | Cha-Cha-Cha Cha-cha-cha (dance) The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953... / Ain't No Mountain High Enough Ain't No Mountain High Enough "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is an R&B/soul song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla Motown label. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, becoming a hit again in 1970 when recorded by former Supremes... |
7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 31 | N/A |
| 2 | Foxtrot / She Said She Said (Plan B song) "She Said" is the second single from English rapper Plan B's second album The Defamation of Strickland Banks - a concept album whose songs tell the fictitious tale of a sharp-suited English soul singer who finds fame with bitter-sweet love songs, but then loses everything when he ends up in prison... |
7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 31 | Safe |
| 3 | Quickstep Quickstep The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events... / Dreaming Of You Dreaming of You Dreaming of You is the sixth and final studio album, and second posthumous album, by American Tejano pop singer Selena, and was released on July 18, 1995, by EMI Records and EMI Latin... |
8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 31 | Safe |
| 4 | Charleston Charleston (dance) The Charleston is a dance named for the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson which originated in the Broadway show Runnin' Wild and became one... / Forty-Second Street |
9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 35 | Safe |
| 5 | Argentine Tango Argentine Tango Argentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of... / Bat Out of Hell Bat out of Hell Bat Out of Hell is the second album by American rock musician Meat Loaf, and his first collaboration with composer Jim Steinman, released in October 1977 on Cleveland International/Epic Records #PE-34974. Selling approximately 200,000 copies per year as of 2010, it is the fifth best-selling album... |
8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 34 | Safe |
| 6 | Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called... / Where the Wild Roses Grow Where the Wild Roses Grow "Where the Wild Roses Grow" is an alternative-rock song written by Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' ninth album Murder Ballads , with guest vocals by Australian pop-singer Kylie Minogue. The song was produced by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Tony Cohen and... |
8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Safe |
| 7 | Rumba Rumba Rumba is a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance that originated in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves and Spanish colonizers. The name derives from the Cuban Spanish word rumbo which means "party" or "spree". It is secular, with no... / Too Lost in You Too Lost in You "Too Lost in You" is a pop/R&B song covered by British girl group Sugababes from their third studio album Three . The song was released on 15 December, 2003 as the album's second single. It was written by Diane Warren and co-produced by Andy Bradfield and Rob Dougan... |
8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Safe |
| 8 | Samba Samba Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival... / Young Hearts Run Free Young Hearts Run Free "Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"... |
9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 38 | Safe |
| 9 | American Smooth / Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down "Empire State of Mind Broken Down" is a song performed by American recording artist Alicia Keys. It is an answer song to the Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z, on which Keys is featured... |
8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 33 | Safe |
| 10 | Jive Jive (dance) In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance... / Soul Bossa Nova Soul Bossa Nova "Soul Bossa Nova" is a popular instrumental title, composed by and first performed by American impresario, jazz composer, arranger and record producer Quincy Jones. It first appeared on his 1962 Big Band Bossa Nova big band album on Mercury Records. Multi-reed player Rahsaan Roland Kirk played the... |
8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Safe |
| 11 | Salsa Salsa (dance) Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle... / Spinning Around Spinning Around "Spinning Around" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was written by Ira Shickman, Osborne Bingham, Kara DioGuardi, and Paula Abdul, and produced by Mike Spencer. It was originally intended for Paula Abdul's "comeback" album. However, as the album never came into fruition, it... |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Safe |
| Swing Swing (dance) "Swing dance" is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1950s, although the earliest of these dances predate swing jazz music. The best known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, a popular partner dance that originated in Harlem and is still danced today... / In the Mood In the Mood "In the Mood" is a big band era #1 hit recorded by American bandleader Glenn Miller. Joe Garland and Andy Razaf arranged "In the Mood" in 1937-1939 using a previously existing main theme composed by Glenn Miller before the start of the 1930s... |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2nd/4 points | ||
| Tango Tango (ballroom) Ballroom Tango is a ballroom dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the dance.... / Hung Up Hung Up "Hung Up" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was written and produced in collaboration with Stuart Price, and released as the first single from her tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Initially used in a number of television advertisements and serials, the song was... |
9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 38 | ||
| 12 | Samba Samba Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival... / Young Hearts Run Free Young Hearts Run Free "Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"... |
9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 38 | Second place |
| Showdance / I Like The Way (You Move) I Like the Way (You Move) This page is about the Bodyrockers song. For the song by Outkast, see The Way You Move"I Like the Way" is a single by Australian Kaz James and Briton Dylan Burns, collectively known as the dance music group BodyRockers. It was released in April 2005 and later appeared on the group's self-titled... |
7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 34 | ||
| Paso Doble / Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is a song written by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell and Sol Marcus for the singer/pianist Nina Simone, who first recorded it in 1964. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" has been recorded or performed by many artists, and is widely known by the 1965 blues rock hit... |
9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 35 | ||
| Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called... / Where the Wild Roses Grow Where the Wild Roses Grow "Where the Wild Roses Grow" is an alternative-rock song written by Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' ninth album Murder Ballads , with guest vocals by Australian pop-singer Kylie Minogue. The song was produced by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Tony Cohen and... |
9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 37 | ||
Commentating
For the BBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing, Baker commentated on the gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
events. He also does the voiceover links for BBC Radio Newcastle
BBC Radio Newcastle
BBC Newcastle is the BBC Local Radio service English metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear, broadcasting from studios on Barrack Road in Newcastle upon Tyne.- Technical :...
.
Acting
In 2002, Baker played himself in an episode of the BBC Drama series Cutting ItCutting It
Cutting It was a popular BBC television programme set in Manchester, England, which ran for four series between 2002 and 2005.- Series 1 :...
, while in 2005, he briefly appeared as himself in an episode of the revived sci-fi series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, whilst The Doctor
Ninth Doctor
The Ninth Doctor is the ninth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is played by Christopher Eccleston....
was flicking through television channels.
In June 2006, Baker played the role of Dick from The Famous Five
The Famous Five (series)
The Famous Five is the name of a series of children's novels written by British author Enid Blyton. The first book, Five on a Treasure Island, was published in 1942....
in The Queen's Handbag.
In 2008 he returned to his native north-east of England
North East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
to play the role of Caractacus Potts
Caractacus Potts
Caractacus Potts is one of the main characters in the family film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He is an eccentric inventor who lives with his twin eight-year-old children, Jeremy & Jemima, and Grandpa Potts, on the Potts' hilltop farm...
in a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also known as Chitty the Musical, is a stage musical based on the 1968 film produced by Cubby Broccoli. The music and lyrics were written by Richard and Robert Sherman with book by Jeremy Sams.-Productions:...
at the Sunderland Empire
Sunderland Empire
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is a large theatre venue located in High Street West in Sunderland, North East England. The theatre, which opened in 1907, is owned by City of Sunderland Council and operated by Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, on behalf of Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust.-Background:The...
.
Other Work
In early 2011 Matt was elected as the president for the National Federation of Young Farmers ClubsPersonal life
Baker met Nicola Mooney (who later trained as a physiotherapist), when he was performing in the discoDisco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
show at Pier 39 in Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes is a town and unparished area in North East Lincolnshire, England, situated on the estuary of the Humber. It has a population of 31,853 and is a seaside resort.- History :...
. The couple married at Winston
Winston, County Durham
Winston is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated a few miles to the west of Darlington.The nearby bridge over the River Tees also once held claim to being the biggest single stone arch bridge in Europe....
in Teesdale
Teesdale
Teesdale is a dale, or valley, of the east side of the Pennines in England. Large parts of Teesdale fall within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the second largest AONB in England and Wales. The River Tees rises below Cross Fell, the highest hill in the Pennines, and its...
, in 2004 and live in Buckland Common
Buckland Common
Buckland Common is a hamlet in Buckinghamshire, England. It is located in the Chiltern Hills, east of Wendover and the same distance south of Tring in Hertfordshire with which it shares a boundary...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
with their son Luke (born 2007) and daughter Molly Scarlett (born August 2009).
Filmography
| Year | Title | Roles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2006 | Blue Peter Blue Peter Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time... |
Presenter | |
| 2003 | A Song for Europe A Song for Europe A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You... |
Celebrity guest | |
| 2005 | Doctor Who Doctor Who Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior... |
Himself | "Aliens of London" episode |
| 2006 | The Famous Five The Famous Five (series) The Famous Five is the name of a series of children's novels written by British author Enid Blyton. The first book, Five on a Treasure Island, was published in 1942.... |
Dick | |
| Only Fools on Horses Only Fools on Horses Only Fools on Horses was a BBC reality television programme produced by Endemol UK. The show's name was a play on that of the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, and first aired on 7 July 2006. It featured twelve celebrities who performed equestrian events, with one celebrity being eliminated every day... |
Contestant | Finished third | |
| BBC Gymnastics | Commentator | ||
| The One Show The One Show The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday... |
Reporter | ||
| Never Mind The Buzzcocks Never Mind the Buzzcocks Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two... |
Celebrity guest | ||
| 2006-2008 | Evacuation Evacuation (TV series) Evacuation is a television series broadcast on CBBC in the UK.It is a reality show for children, in which six boys and six girls, all aged 12, from cities all over the UK are taken back to wartime Britain for two weeks, to live just as evacuees in World War II would have done.The show is presented... |
Main presenter | |
| 2007 | Crufts Crufts Crufts is an annual international Championship conformation show for dogs organised and hosted by the Kennel Club, currently held every March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. It is the largest annual dog show in the world, as declared by Guinness World Records, and lasts... |
Main presenter | |
| Richard & Judy Richard & Judy Richard & Judy was a British magazine/chat show which was presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2008 but later moved to digital channel Watch in October 2008. It featured the world's most famous stars, along with their Book Club... |
Celebrity guest | Alongside Jo Whiley Jo Whiley Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:... |
|
| Animal Rescue Live | Presenter | Alongside Selina Scott Selina Scott Selina Scott is a British newsreader, journalist, television producer and presenter.- Background and early life :Scott was born in Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire in 1951, the eldest of five children... |
|
| 2008 | Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also known as Chitty the Musical, is a stage musical based on the 1968 film produced by Cubby Broccoli. The music and lyrics were written by Richard and Robert Sherman with book by Jeremy Sams.-Productions:... |
Lead character | Caractacus Potts |
| Countryfile Summer Diaries | Main presenter | ||
| 2008 Summer Olympics 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events... |
Lead presenter | Gymnastics | |
| Blue Peter At 50 | Guest | With past and present Blue Peter presenters | |
| London 2012 Party | Co-presenter | With Claudia Winkleman Claudia Winkleman Claudia Anne I. Winkleman is an English television presenter, film critic, radio personality and journalist.- Early life and family :... |
|
| 2009 | Around The World In 80 Days Around the World in 80 Days (Children in Need 2009) Around the World in 80 Days is a British travel documentary series made to support the annual BBC Children in Need charity appeal in 2009. It sees twelve celebrities attempt to circumnavigate the globe in eighty days without using air transport, recreating the journey of Phileas Fogg and Michael... |
Contestant | With Julia Bradbury Julia Bradbury Julia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:... |
| 2009-present | Countryfile Countryfile Countryfile is a British magazine-style television programme produced by BBC Birmingham, first aired on 24th July 1988, which reports on rural and environmental issues within the United Kingdom. For its first 20 years it was fronted by broadcaster John Craven, until he stepped back from the role of... |
Main presenter | With Julia Bradbury Julia Bradbury Julia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:... |
| 2010 | The One Show The One Show The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday... |
Presenter | Guest presenter and stand-in co-host |
| Secret Britain Secret Britain Secret Britain is a 2010 BBC documentary series presented by Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury which first aired on BBC One Sunday 15 August 2010 at 9:00pm... |
Presenter | With Julia Bradbury Julia Bradbury Julia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:... |
|
| Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing (series 8) The eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing began with a red carpet launch show on 11 September 2010, and the competitive live shows began on 1 October. The series concluded on 18 December when Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev won the competition... |
Contestant | Partnered Aliona Vilani and finished second | |
| 2011 - present | The One Show The One Show The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday... |
Presenter | Main Monday - Thursday co-host, with Alex Jones Alex Jones (presenter) Charlotte Alexandra "Alex" Jones is a Welsh television presenter, from Ammanford, best known for co-presenting BBC's The One Show since August 2010.-Early life:... |