Countryfile's Matt Baker sets record straight on leaving UK after travel shows in 2-word response

-Credit:Newcastle Chronicle
-Credit:Newcastle Chronicle


Countryfile star Matt Baker says there is 'no way' he could ever leave the UK permanently despite his love of travel.

The 47-year-old TV presenter has hosted a number of travel shows, including Matt Baker: Travels with Mum & Dad, and Matt Baker's Travels in the Country: USA.

He also admitted he filled out three passports when he was working for Blue Peter between 1999 and 2006, but says he would struggle to leave the UK on a permanent basis because he would miss the British landscape.

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Countryfile presenter Matt told the Times: "I could probably do what I do living in another country, but no way! I would miss the British landscape. It's the best in the world.

"I did a lot of travelling with Blue Peter. I filled three passports, but seeing so much of the world gave me a real appreciation for what we have on our doorstep.

Matt said he'd 'miss the British landscape' -Credit:Mark Taylor
Matt said he'd 'miss the British landscape' -Credit:Mark Taylor

"If me and (his wife Nicola) fancy getting away for a few days, we usually drive over to Wales or back home to the North East and the wild Northumbrian coast."

Matt and Nicola live with their two kids on a farm in the Chilterns. He said the couple were 'always skint' before they started working in television.

The TV star recalls his wife cutting out coupons from the newspaper to help them bag two free flights to Pisa in Italy. They ended up in the 'dodgiest B&B in the dodgiest part of town' during the height of summer with no air con.

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Matt got his big break when he was signed up to present Blue Peter alongside Simon Thomas and Konnie Huq. That job took him to places including Sydney in Australia, Japan, Egypt and the Arctic Circle.

The Countryfile presenter says his ideal holiday is a UK staycation -Credit:Big Circus
The Countryfile presenter says his ideal holiday is a UK staycation -Credit:Big Circus

It comes after Matt revealed how he has fought a crippling two-year health battle that left him bedbound and needing rehab after pantomime stunt went wrong.

The star was performing in Goldilocks and the Three Bears in the run up to Christmas 2022 when he suffered the on-stage accident. Matt was performing a stunt involving chairs when he crashed down onto his coccyx.

Speaking to the Sun, he said: "It's a pain, it's really challenging to get back and get fully fit again. I'm still like really... yeah it's really tough.

“I'm just trying to do rehab all the time and stretch and do strength training exercises and that."

Matt stars on Countryfile today (Sunday, February 2) on BBC One at 6.05pm.