Matt Baker has revealed how he handles potential disagreements with his wife Nicola Mooney when cameras are rolling: he simply stays quiet. The former Blue Peter and The One Show presenter made the admission during an interview on Sara Cox's BBC Radio 2 show, where he was discussing his current television projects.
Filming with friends and family
Asked whether it was stressful having cameras "constantly in his home" for the programme Our Barn in the Dales, Baker, 48, said it was not as difficult as it might appear. He explained that the production is very much his own operation.
"Erm, well they're all my friends. Do you know what I mean? I'm sort of filming it, it's my production company that's making it. I mean it's great and people love it and the third episode is on More4 tomorrow (Tuesday) night," he said.
When the conversation turned to his wife Nicola, who also appears in the show, Baker added: "Nicola and I are very on board with …basically I just do what she thinks is right."
A private signal for public moments
Sara Cox then asked whether the couple use a code word when they want to avoid arguing in front of the cameras. Baker's answer was straightforward: "Well, yeah. I suppose we do actually. Yeah I just shut up and don't say anything."
Cox responded with praise, saying "Good lad, good lad," before congratulating him on his new book, which she described as "a memoir told through the 20 dogs you've had so far that you've shared your life with."
This is not the first time Baker has spoken warmly about his marriage. He met Nicola while performing in the disco show at Pier 39 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, and the couple married in 2004. They have two children, Luke and Molly.
A strong partnership
In a previous interview with Yours Magazine, Baker described Nicola as his "best friend" and praised how well they work as a team, particularly in managing the effects of his dyslexia and ADHD.
"We grew up together and we've had a crazy life experiencing everything together, including all the stuff I've done like The One Show and Blue Peter. We are the best of friends and I couldn't do it without her. Not just from the support perspective – I'm dyslexic and she's great with words that I struggle with – but we know what makes each other tick," he said.
Baker returns to screens tonight (Tuesday, October 27) with Matt Baker: Our Barn in the Dales on More4 at 9pm.
