Matt Baker's half-sister Ruby had to give up her job as a teacher after developing long Covid, and has since turned to painting as part of her recovery. Her story was shared in 2021 by Matt's wife Nicola, who explained that Ruby had found a creative outlet by painting salvaged and unwanted items. Ruby later set up an Etsy shop to sell her artwork, with Nicola among those buying her creations.
Who are Matt Baker's sisters?
Matt has one sister, Samantha, and two half-sisters, one of whom is Ruby. Matt and Samantha were raised by their parents, Mike and Janice, on a sheep farm in County Durham, having moved from Easington when Matt was 10. His childhood on the farm helped prepare him for exploring rural life on programmes such as Countryfile.
Speaking to Hello!, Matt described his mother and sisters as some of the "most inspirational women" in his life, saying: "My mum has always been a big inspiration, as were my sisters and now my wife is."
Ruby's creative recovery
Nicola offered an insight into the family's creative interests when she spoke about Ruby on Instagram in 2021. She wrote: "We're all quite arty in our family - I love making and baking, Matt loves to paint, my mum knits and makes cards. We're all often found doing something creative when we get the chance!"
Sharing Ruby's artwork, she continued: "This was painted by my lovely sister-in-law @revivedbyruby! Ruby was a teacher until she got Covid a year ago and has been coping with long Covid ever since. Painting has really helped her recovery and she loves the challenge of breathing life into something that may otherwise be thrown away."
Nicola also revealed that Ruby had begun selling her work online: "She's now started up her own Etsy shop with all her artwork that she paints on salvaged or unwanted items. I loved this fungi painting she did on an old book cover so snapped it up straight away - it sits perfectly in my writing room! Sometimes life takes you in an unexpected direction, it's how you adapt to the change that keeps you moving forwards."
Our Barn in the Dales returns
As Matt Baker: Our Barn in the Dales returns to More4, viewers are getting another glimpse of the presenter's family life. In the new episode, Matt and Nicola attempt to turn a dilapidated barn on his family's farm into their new home. Their renovation hits a major obstacle when they discover the main barn's end wall needs to be completely rebuilt. The couple also join Matt's mum Janice to help a distressed sheep give birth to an exceptionally large lamb, and reveal plans to bring a new sheepdog puppy onto the farm.
Matt Baker: Our Barn in the Dales airs on More4 on Tuesdays at 9pm.
