Matt Baker

This article is about the television personality. For the comic book artist, see Matt Baker (artist).

Matthew Baker (born 23 December 1977 in Easington, County Durham) is a British television presenter.

Baker has one sister and two step-sisters, and attended Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, graduating with a diploma in acting.

During the late nineties Matt worked as a DJ and as part of various disco-dancing groups. Matt was one of the stars of the travelling, comedy disco-dancing show "Disco Inferno" touring clubs in the North of England as the character: Butch Vendor "The LA Bar Tender".

He got his first break on 25 June 1999 when he joined the children's TV programme Blue Peter, becoming its 28th presenter. Prior to presenting, he had competed in various gymnastics events.

In 2002, Baker play a version of himself in an episode of the BBC Drama series Cutting It.

In 2005, Baker briefly appeared as himself in an episode of the revived sci-fi series Doctor Who, whilst The Doctor was flicking through television channels.

On 5 June, 2006, whilst almost in tears, Baker announced his decision to leave Blue Peter at the end of its 2005-06 season, and his last live show was aired shortly afterwards, on 26 June. Matt's dog, Meg, was seen alongside him on the programme from 2000 onwards, and left with him.

Matt has presented with Katy Hill, Konnie Huq, Simon Thomas, Liz Barker, Zoe Salmon and Gethin Jones.

In June 2006, Backed play the role of Dick from The Famous Five in The Queen's Handbag.

In the summer of 2006, he was a celebrity showjumper in the BBC's Sport Relief event Only Fools on Horses and he can currently be found commentating for the BBC covering Gymnastics.

He has most recently been seen as a reporter on The One Show, one of three main presenters on City Hospital and as a guest on Never Mind The Buzzcocks all for the BBC.

Matt Baker is not related to the kids wildlife television presenter Nick Baker.

In March 2007 he co presented Crufts