Matt Baker is set to make a welcome return to The One Show as the BBC programme celebrates 20 years on air with a week of special episodes. The former presenter, who was last on the evening programme in 2020, will be back on the famous sofa alongside Christine Lampard for the anniversary celebrations, with the pair reflecting on their time on the programme.
A decade on the show
Blue Peter presenter Matt first appeared on the show in 2011. After leaving, the star continued to host Countryfile and launched his own family-focused rural television shows.
The milestone week begins on Monday, August 10 at 7pm, with Alex Jones and Roman Kemp leading a series of special programmes featuring celebrity guests, memorable reunions and some of the stories that have stayed with viewers over the past two decades.
Nationwide celebrations
Reporters will also head across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to revisit some of the programme's most memorable stories and find out what happened next. The celebrations will culminate on Friday, August 14 at 7pm with an extended hour-long special, The One Show at 20.
Alex and Roman will be joined by presenters Angellica Bell, Clara Amfo, JB Gill, Lauren Laverne and Vernon Kay, while viewers can also expect a surprise live music guest and a special film from former presenter Adrian Chiles.
Highlights and reflections
Other highlights during the week include wildlife reports from the Farne Islands, coverage of a partial solar eclipse from Glasgow, the Post Office scandal and a celebration of community gardening in Blaenavon.
Reflecting on the anniversary, host Alex said: "I'm looking forward to reminiscing, reminding myself of brilliant moments and having some of the past presenters back with us, alongside the current team. When I started, I was younger than Roman is now." And I’ve done all the big life stuff with our audience – met my husband, got married, bought the house, had the children… so I feel like I’ve grown up on the show."
Roman added: "It’s a huge privilege to be part of The One Show celebrations. I am very proud, but I think privilege is the real feeling. It’s such a responsibility to show people how nice this country is. I feel like the show is a representation of the best people and things that we don’t know about. I have learnt so much about where I live and where I am from through this show."
A tribute to a national favourite
BBC Commissioning Editor Alex McLeod said: "For 20 years, The One Show has brought the nation together every weekday evening, becoming one of the BBC’s most-loved programmes and home to some of television’s biggest interviews, unforgettable live moments, inspiring stories and exclusive performances. This celebration pays tribute to that and how important it is to have The One Show at the heart of the national conversation, reflecting the people, places and stories that matter most across the UK."
The anniversary celebrations will also continue on BBC Radio 2, with Alex Jones' Tracks of My Years featuring throughout the week, while a special Bargain Hunt episode, 20 Years of The One Show, is available on BBC iPlayer.
The One Show airs weekdays at 7pm on BBC One.
