Countryfile star Matt Baker has opened up about the devastating loss of his border collie Bob, admitting he found it 'tough' to get over the death.
The loss of Bob
The former The One Show presenter, 48, lives with his wife Nicola and their two children on a small farm in the Chilterns Hills, Hertfordshire, where they keep livestock including chickens and sheep. Baker also has two other dogs: a miniature dachshund called Ivy and a young border collie named Ted. Bob was one of two collies; the second, Bob, died last year.
In a new interview with the Radio Times, Baker said of Bob: 'He’d been with me for the major moments in my life, so it was tough when he wasn’t.' He added: 'We’re fortunate to have these animals in our lives. Every single one has taught me something and I’m grateful. Grief is the price you pay for love.'
Announcement of death
Although Bob passed in 2025, Baker only shared the news in May of this year, as he had been too 'incredibly sad' to do so earlier. In an Instagram Reel featuring the dog, he wrote: 'It’s with a very heavy heart that I’m letting you know our wonderful Bob is no longer with us. It’s broken my heart but I feel hugely grateful to have had him in our lives and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for everything he’s taught me and brought to our family.'
He continued: 'I’m sure all you dog lovers will agree [that] the reason we love our dogs so much is because the only time they break our hearts is when they leave us. RIP Bob X.'
Baker's history with dogs
Dogs have been a constant presence in Baker's life. When he joined Blue Peter in 1999, his border collie Meg was by his side for seven years on the show. Reflecting on that time, Baker said: 'When I moved down to London it was the first time in my life that I’d been without a dog and I felt quite lost. So when I began Blue Peter I realised it would be ideal to get one and have some amazing adventures.'
'My time on Blue Peter was a partnership with Meg. We had over seven glorious years on the show and we left together. She was my dog, not the show’s, so she came with me and spent the rest of her days on the farm.'
