BBC Countryfile presenter Matt Baker experienced a moment of genuine anxiety during Sunday's episode after a heavy door sealed him inside Britain's deepest cave system.
A Descent into Darkness
The episode, which aired on Sunday, December 7, saw Matt and fellow presenter Sammi Kinghorn exploring the dramatic landscapes of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in Wales. Their mission was to discover how water shapes the world beneath our feet.
To achieve this, Matt ventured into the OFD1 or Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 1 cave system, a restricted-access entry point to Britain's deepest and third-longest cave, which stretches for an impressive 6,000 metres. He was guided by expert cavers Andy and Antonia Freem from the South Wales Caving Club, who boast over a century of combined experience, and instructor Gary Evans.
The Moment of Panic
After descending a ladder into the tunnel, with Matt noting "It's dark, and it's a long way down," the final member of the team secured the floor hatch. The door slammed shut with a resounding and definitive thud, leaving the presenter visibly startled.
"What are you locking us in?" Matt asked, his surprise evident as he looked at his companions. The sound was so abrupt it immediately sparked concerns about being trapped underground.
Cave explorer Antonia was quick to reassure him, stating, "It's alright, you can get out again." However, a still-uncertain Matt chuckled in response, "That was a good slam, yeah, just double check." The group leader acknowledged the unsettling noise, remarking that it was "a very prison-like noise."
Pressing On with the Adventure
Despite the initial shock, the intrepid presenter composed himself and continued with the subterranean expedition. The purpose was to witness firsthand the powerful flow of water through the ancient limestone passages, a magical world sculpted over millennia.
Countryfile continues to bring the British countryside to audiences every Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer, often placing its presenters in extraordinary situations. This latest adventure in the Welsh depths proved that even seasoned presenters can get a sudden case of the jitters when a door clangs shut hundreds of feet below the surface.
