We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. From St Johns Chapel south along the A689 to Westgate, Eastgate, Stanhope and Wolsingham, theres a real depth to the villages. The star left the BBC's The One Show after receiving the news that his mother had been in an accident and needed knee surgery. In March 2007, and again in 2008, Baker co-presented coverage of Crufts. As you wind your way up Teesdale, youll go through a string of lovely towns and villages. He wrote an article for inews about the ordeal, saying: "It was one of those scenarios when you automatically go into rescue mode, so we downed tools, went up there and from day one, it was all hands on deck. READ MORE:Matt Baker leaves mum overwhelmed with touching surprise. The star has received endless praise for making the selfless move to support his beloved parents. The heartwarming series touches on an emotional period of his life when he moved his family to Durham to help his parents run the family farm. Its a small city though it didnt feel it then of bridges crisscrossing the river Wear, narrow cobbled streets, elegant houses and spectacular views out to the countryside beyond. You could probably do the whole journey from Barnard Castle to the hills and down to Durham in an hour and a half; but thats not the point, of course. Our Farm in the Dales is a heartwarming series that touches on an emotional part of presenter Matt Bakers life. See production, box office & company info, Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America, The Devil's Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes. hopefully you can join us on more 4 at 9pm for the last instalment of new beginnings. Baker said the main aim of the series was to provide a sense of escapism and he wanted fans to enjoy meeting his family. When I turn on to the A68, suddenly its as if all of my worries leave me, and I think: wow, Im home. The former Blue Peter presenter had to hire a bed and breakfast in the local area for his family and crew to stay in while they filmed the series. The first series was a major success for Channel 4's sister channel More4, quickly becoming the channel's most successful new commission. The star, who previously presented Blue Peter, lives in Durham with his wife and two kids who will feature on the show. The series is also unscripted meaning that the small camera crew follow the family as they go about their daily lives. He had previously worked as an entertainer with a 1970s comedy disco-dancing revival show called Disco Inferno, which toured the north of England. On the 23rd August 2021, Channel 4 Television announced that they have commissioned Big Circus Media to make two further 6-episode series and a Christmas special of the hit show. The loop from Barnard Castle, northwest along Teesdale, over the top to Weardale and finishing at Durham city, has to be one of the best routes in Britain. The farming is some of the toughest in Britain. Also in 2007, he co-presented five episodes of Animal Rescue Live with Selina Scott. Matt Baker takes his mum Janice and dad Mike on some memorable, easy-to-reach excursions around their beloved North East, as they relive old memories and make new ones Sign in to play Episode 4. READ MORE:The home improvement that can decrease property value by 4,500. Determined to keep farming, the Bakers knew they had to make some changes. Matt Baker is celebrating after his show Our Farm in the Dales landed a primetime Saturday night slot on Channel 4 and has teased that there's more to come. The show's star and executive producer. The farmland gets narrower and narrower. There are waterfalls, lakes, rivers, meadows, wild uplands and amazing views. Retracing your steps to Lower Weardale, youll find it feels greener and more inhabited than Teesdale. 2-min read. By taking these embed codes you are agreeing to the terms and conditions. In this intimate series, Baker returns to his childhood home of Durham to help mother Janice and father Mike. Such a genuine family and all the lovely four-legged friends as well. ", GALLERY:Inside the most stylish celebrity kitchens. [10] He later took over as a permanent presenter on the show, co-hosting with Alex Jones from Monday to Thursday. MORE:13 celebrities with amazing outdoor kitchens and dining areas, Matt previously shared a look at the renovations he had been undertaking in the outdoor barn of the property. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Its also my producing and directorial debut with our new production company so it couldn't be more personal. Matt also heads to the restoration garage to consider the future of his dad's old Dodge. Get 10 issues of BBC Countryfile Magazine for just 20! Brilliant programme. [citation needed]. Matt Baker has opened up on his decision to return to farming full-time after his mother was trampled by sheep. Another fan added: "Thankyou for making Our Farm In The Dales, it is restoring my faith in humanity. Have something to tell us about this article? During the four episodes, well follow three generations of Bakers round the farmhouse table as they make big decisions for the future of the farm and Matt repairs, reuses and recycles his way through aheftyto do list. If you come in spring, the meadows are full of breeding redshanks, lapwings and oystercatchers. They get hands on for lambing season and there's exciting news for the goats. Matt stars in his own series Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales which originally aired on More4 earlier this year. In October 2009, Baker took part in the reality programme Around the World in 80 Days to raise money for Children in Need. Matt has a set of concrete steps leading up to his wooden back door. Countryfile's Matt Baker grew up on a small farm in the north of England. Alternatively, click here to sign up online. [3] He continued his education at Belmont Comprehensive School in Durham and was a budding gymnast, but was forced to give up after being diagnosed with anaemia aged 14. Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Daleswas commissioned by Channel 4s Deputy Head of Formats & Features Sean Doyle. The 100-acre farm is in the Durham Hills and Baker said it had been an emotional journey returning to support his family. At the remote hamlet of Langdon Beck, theres a network of footpaths on the river banks and across farmland here if you fancy a stroll. The A689 brings you eventually to Durham city, the end of our road trip. September 28, 2021 - 14:35 BST Sharnaz Shahid. Total or partial reproduction of this article and its photographs is prohibited, regardless of links or credits. Working at the farm is a family affair and. From the castle, the old stone bridge over the Tees leads you to the Middleton road (B6277). Matt Baker and his wife and kids move to the organic sheep farm where he grew up in the Durham hills to help secure its future. Baker was born on 23 December 1977 at Easington in County Durham where his father ran a newsagent's shop,[2] and his parents had a smallholding in the village. He went onto The One Show with co-presenter Alex Jones from 2011 until 2020. Everything you need to know about the Countryfile presenter. He had to hire a local bed and breakfast for his family and the crew to stay in while they filmed the series. For other people named Matt Baker or Matthew Baker, see, Matt Baker presenting the BBC's coverage of, Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down, Member of the Order of the British Empire, National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, "Matt Baker named as new One Show presenter", "TV personality Matt Baker favourite to take Strictly Come Dancing crown", "Strictly Come Dancing 2010 - Matt Baker", "Countryfile moves to peak time on BBC One", "Matt Baker, David Cameron's baby-faced assassin", "Stars saddle-up for Only Fools on Horses", "BBC One commissions Wild Alaska Live with Steve Backshall, Matt Baker and Liz Bonnin", "Kara Tointon crowned Strictly Come Dancing winner", "Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sunderland Empire", "Ann Cleeves and Matt Baker awarded Queen's honours", "Countryfile's Matt Baker elected president of Young Farmers' Clubs", "Countryfile presenter appointed president of equine charity", "Big Blue Live: BBC One for huge live event", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matt_Baker&oldid=1129895453, People educated at Easington Community Science College, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Stand-in presenter for Magic FM breakfast show, Liverpool 2022 Gymnastics World Championships, This page was last edited on 27 December 2022, at 16:56. But before the April 21 episode had even aired, Nicola delivered a huge blow to viewers when she revealed it would be the last. Theres something here for everybody so be spontaneous and youll have a great time. Will Heaven, Deputy Editor of Telegraph Blogs, wrote: "Was this the unearthing of a true Northern lefty? Just as well - because it's not easy living up here. More info. He said he did not want to feel like a presenter this time around, and instead wanted viewers to feel like they were simply joining him on his farm. Weirdly, it reminds me of Oxford. [22] He is president for Here4Horses.[23]. What a lovely program Our Farm in The Dales- the chickens and puppies sealed the deal. They have a smallholding, with Matt sharing pictures of sheep, donkeys and chickens on his Instagram account. Its such a good programme. Im proud to call it home. More than one million viewers tuned in to watch the debut episode, making it the biggest audience for More4 since 2014. The 100-acre farm is in the Durham Hills and Baker said it had been an emotional journey returning to support his family. But these are also lovely places, with traditional stone cottages, friendly pubs, village greens and some quirky and old-fashioned shops. You sense the history of all that hard work on the land, and in the mines and quarries around. Theres a string of hamlets and villages along the way, including Cowshill, where the Killhope Burn river rushes beneath a stone bridge before crashing over Burtreeford Falls. The couple married at Winston in Teesdale, in 2004. Everyone comes north up the M6 and turns left at the Lake District, but they never turn right, over the North Pennines to the Durham Dales. After calling into the Editor's office direct, Baker put together a showreel with footage in the farmyard; reading a story; and riding a unicycle. On a personal note Ive loved getting to know the miniature donkeys.. Thesiblings were filmed working at the wooden dining table. In his TV series,. The 42-year-old broadcaster was busy over lockdown renovating his incredible Durham farm. Express.co.uk has all you need to know about where the farmhouse is and whether you can stay there. "We live a life thats up and down the whole time anyway I am a northerner through and through and the Durham Dales, where I grew up, are like a magnet; I cant stay away. "I am a northerner through and through and the Durham Dales, where . The scenery is spectacular. Matt Baker's hit series about his life working back on the family farm is set to return. However, the family did relocate to Matt's family farm in the Durham Dales during lockdown last year after his mum. Matt Baker and his wife and kids move to the organic sheep farm where he grew up in the Durham hills to help secure its future, The Bakers call in some local storm-proofing experts to safeguard the farmhouse and Matt takes his dad to see the progress that's been made on his 1946 Dodge, Matt Baker and his wife and kids continue to make the vital changes needed to secure the future of his family's farm in the Durham hills, The Bakers call in some local storm-proofing experts to safeguard the farmhouse, The Bakers transform old bits and pieces into a playground for their pygmy goat herd, Matt starts work on some steps for the paddock and readies the beehives for heather season, Matt begins work on his dream woodland hut and wildlife hideaway, As a blanket of snow falls, the Bakers ensure that the animals are fed and protected, As the worst storm to hit the farm in living memory strikes the Bakers round up the troops, Matt Baker and his family prepare for winter and get ready for an enchanting Christmas at their farm in the Durham hills, Matt Baker takes his mum Janice and dad Mike on some memorable, easy-to-reach excursions around their beloved North East, as they relive old memories and make new ones, The Yorkshire Shepherdess gets stuck into daily life on some of the UK's most extraordinary farms, as she explores the pressures facing the modern farmer and the sheer passion that keeps them going, TV presenter and designer Sarah Moore realises her dream of transforming a derelict relic on the Greek island of Skiathos into a fabulous family foothold, Property expert Sarah Beeny and her family swap London life for a new start on a 220-acre, semi-derelict former dairy farm in Somerset, where they plan to build a modern stately home of their dreams, Katie Price transforms her 19-room vandalised and uninhabitable mansion into a forever home for her family, Pamela leaves her Hollywood life behind and embarks on a huge restoration of her grandma's legacy property on the coast of Vancouver Island, The programme that helps house-hunters find their dream holiday home in the sun. Baker met his wife Nicola, a physiotherapist, when he was performing in the disco show at Pier 39 in Cleethorpes. The County Durham- based series has proved to be a real hit with a large demographic of viewers as cameras followed former Blue Peter and The One Show host Matt returned to home turf to support his parents on their farm, after his mum Janice was left seriously injured in an accident which saw her knocked over by a flock of sleep. Please note terms and conditions apply, and are accessible via the link at the bottom of the page. Matt's parents, including his mother Janice, renovated the farm and kept it going for the family. The BBC star moved from Hertfordshire to the Dales to help out with the smooth running of the farm and make some much-needed changes. The first season of Matt Baker: Our Farm In The Dales, filmed on the family's organic sheep farm, was More4's biggest commission to date, Channel 4 has said. The family farm is a few miles west of Durham, at the gateway to the Durham Dales. Baker left Blue Peter at the end of its 200506 series;[8] his last live show was broadcast on 26 June. Matt still plays a very active role in running the farm, but recent circumstances dictatedhis rolewasabout to get a lot more intense. Matt Baker featured in the series Our Farm in the Dales and the four-part season went down a huge hit. The living room has contrasting red and blue sofas, with cream walls and a tripod floor lamp in the corner. Fans have fallen in love with the feel-good series, with one saying on Twitter: "Loving Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales. From May to August 2010, Baker was a guest presenter on BBC One's magazine programme The One Show, standing in for Jason Manford. Baker co-presented Countryfile Summer Diaries on weekday mornings on BBC One, along with Open Country for Radio 4 and Animal Rescue Squad and Animal Rescue Squad International for Channel 5. Our Farm in the Dales viewers gutted as Matt Baker and wife Nicola make sad announcement. Matt Baker and his family return as they prepare for a busy season at the farm. [9] In August 2010, Baker co-presented the first series of Secret Britain with Julia Bradbury and presented One Man and His Dog with Kate Humble. Matt Baker was also a Torch Bearer for the Olympic Flame as it was carried into Durham City as part of the flame's tour of Great Britain. The presenter said he wanted to make sure his loved ones were happy with what was being shown to the public. When its night time, for example, the place takes on a whole different feeling. "We live a life thats up and down the whole time anyway I am a northerner through and through and the Durham Dales, where I grew up, are like a magnet; I cant stay away.". It feels real. Isabel Oakeshott skewers Turkey farmer's claim of labour shortages, Turkey farmer slams 'employ locally' saying youngsters don't want work, Our Farm in the Dales: Fans love Matt Baker's new show, Our Farm in the Dales: Matt Baker with the rest of his family, Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen brands new farm exciting but scary', Our Farm in the Dales: Matt Baker made a selfless decision, Our Farm in the Dales: Matt's family were happy to help out, Matt Baker fights tears as he makes 'emotional' The One Show return, Matt Baker leaves mum overwhelmed with touching surprise, Matt Baker 'emotional' as dad's car restarts on Our Farm in the Dales, Matt Baker speaks out on 'record breaking' response to new show, Matt Baker scolds wife Nicola as he addresses problem on farm, Matt Baker in dig at More 4 bosses over scheduling of new series, Matt Baker details 'hardest part' of filming new reality show, Matt Baker speaks about decision to film new show, Matt Baker comforts emotional mum as she visits place she was injured. The BBC star moved from Hertfordshire to the Dales to help out with the smooth running of the farm and make some much-needed changes.