Matt Baker reveals he ‘couldn’t cope’ during the ‘worst period of his life’

MATT Baker has revealed the that he ‘couldn’t cope’ during the ‘worst period of his life’.

The presenter has had a hugely successful career in TV, having presented The One Show as well as his work on Blue Peter, Countryfile and his own series, Our Farm in the Dales.

But despite his achievements, Matt, 45, revealed there has been some tough times along the way, particularly when he first arrived in London.

Having grown up in the North East, Matt was used to being in the countryside, and so he found moving to the capital a big change.

Speaking to The Mirror, he revealed: “When I first got the job on Blue Peter, I moved to London for a few months before I realised that I couldn’t cope with it at all, so I very quickly moved out.

He added, somewhat jokingly: “I’ve only been six months in my life without a flock of sheep, so that was the worst period of my life really.”

Matt now helps run his parents farm back up North, but still has time for his TV work, including his latest show, Matt Baker’s Travels in the Country: USA.

The Channel 4 show will see him immerse himself in the lives rural workers in different States.

He said: “This series has been an absolute dream for me. I grew up on a sheep farm in the Durham Dales and whenever I go on holiday, I always find myself in the rural parts, chatting to local farmers and those who work the land.

“So I took the heartbeat of Our Farm in the Dales and I went with that same intrigue to rural farms in America.

“I met the kind of people you don’t normally see on television – the quiet ones working the land and doing the best for the environment.

“As soon as they realised I was very much into their world, they were so open and honest with me. I never feel happier than when I’m with like-minded folk in the rural community.”

Matt Baker’s Travel in the Country: USA is available now on Channel4.com.