Matt Baker has announced his new show, Our Barn in the Dales, in a video shared on Instagram with help from his parents and wife Nicola. The Countryfile star described the news as "big" and "epic" as he revealed plans to convert a barn, stable and granary at the end of the courtyard into a cottage.
Two-series project
In the accompanying caption, Baker wrote: "Hi all, got some big news for all of you who enjoyed 'Our Farm in the Dales' (the series based on our family farm). We're back with a new series but with quite the twist.. We're calling it 'Our Barn in the Dales' as Nicola and I are converting the barn, stable and granary at the end of the courtyard into a cottage… We're deep in an epic adventure which will span across 2 series."
The first series, starting in a couple of weeks, will focus on the building and conversion work. A second series next year will cover the interior. Baker added: "Hopefully full of all the things you loved in previous series with the animals, Mum, Dad, and not forgetting his classic car - spoiler we finally finish it!"
Fan reaction
He thanked "all our friends and new builder mates who are making our dream happen" and confirmed the show airs on More4 starting Tuesday, 13 October at 9pm. Within hours, fans and former colleagues responded, including ex-Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, who replied: "Ahhhh, great. We love seeing you all together."
One fan wrote: "Yesssssssss... Best news to get on a rainy day… a brilliant reason to cosy up in front of the TV." Another added: "Wow! We have waited so long for this, wonderful news." A third said: "Joyful telly. Thank you for doing something that is a pleasure to watch."
Other projects
Our Barn in the Dales is one of several projects Baker has been working on. Speaking to Express.co.uk in August, he teased his upcoming BBC Two series, Matt Baker: Life With Dogs, saying: "We've filmed the majority of it already." The show, which will feature his new Border Collie Ted in episodes airing later this year, is expected to explore the different roles dogs provide for humans, from working farm dogs and therapy dogs to assistance and service dogs.
