Matt Baker has revealed that he used to drink alcohol after taking part in a BBC charity show to cope with nerves. The Countryfile presenter made the admission during a conversation with Sara Cox on her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, where he also discussed his recent role presenting at the Gymnastics World Championships.
Reunion on Radio 2
Sara Cox told Matt that they first "properly" met on Only Fools on Horses, an equestrian-themed BBC reality show for Sport Relief in 2006, hosted by Angus Deayton and Kirsty Gallacher. The line-up included Jenni Falconer, Ruby Wax, Sally Gunnell and Anna Ryder-Richardson.
Sara noted that it had been 20 years since they competed on the show, describing it as a "cheese dream" when she looked back. Matt joked that they "lived in a stable" together for two weeks, while Sara explained the format to listeners: celebrities competed in a series of equestrian events, with one star eliminated each day.
Dealing with nerves
Matt said: "I mean, Ruby was black and blue the entire week. And we used to, sort of, drink quite a lot of alcohol afterwards, just to sort of deal with the nerves, cos we were shaking, weren't we? We'd go back in to, sort of, show jump for survival the next night."
Sara responded: "Live on telly. I mean, how did they get that through the health and safety?"
The conversation follows reports of Matt making a sad announcement while covering the second part of the apparatus finals from Rotterdam.
Tribute to colleagues
Later in the broadcast, Matt paid tribute to his BBC colleagues, Olympic and World Championship gymnastics hosts Christine Still and Craig Heap, who were due to leave the team.
Matt said: "I just want to take a moment to say a heartfelt and a massive thank you to two very special people, who are sitting either side of me right now. And for those of you who've enjoyed our gymnastics coverage on the BBC over the years, you will be very familiar with the wonderful voices of Christine Still and Craig Heap. Now, Christine was one of the first female commentators that BBC Sport has ever had, when she started back in 1993. And here we are, Christine, 33 years on. Craig, you joined the team just before Rio in 2016, and, along the way, we have witnessed some incredible moments together."
A montage of the pair's notable moments aired before the camera switched to them in the box. Matt said: "Wonderful pictures and wonderful storytelling."
Catch Countryfile on BBC One tonight (November 1), from 5.40pm to 6.40pm.
