Countryfile presenter Matt Baker admitted that he was physically incapable of taking on a challenge given to him by popular comedian Harry Hill, four years after an agonising injury left him bedridden
Former Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker has admitted he’s still struggling with his health in an interview with renowned comedian, and former doctor, Harry Hill.
Matt, a gymnast turned television presenter, was appearing on The Harry Hill Show on YouTube when he gave the impromptu update. It occurred just after Harry had demonstrated a move known as ‘The Crab’.
When Harry asked: “Do you want a go?”, Matt, 48, responded: “I’ve slipped a disc so I can’t do the crab.” He subsequently quipped: “But I can do a triple back somersault, like in, one.”
Matt, who used to present The One Show, has had back problems for years. Matt sustained the back injury while performing in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, landing heavily on his coccyx during a stunt involving chairs in the production.
The incident, which occurred in late 2022, resulted in Matt developing a herniated disc, a condition that necessitated him undergoing rehabilitation sessions to address the problem. Opening up to The Sun in September 2024, he confessed that managing the condition had been far from straightforward.
He said: “It’s a pain, it’s really challenging to get back and get fully fit again. I’m still like, really… Yeah it’s really tough. I’m just trying to do rehab all the time and stretch and do strength training exercises and that.”
Furthermore Matt, who has co-hosted Countryfile since 2009, later spoke to the MailOnline about the matter and admitted that at one point, the pain was so severe, that he was effectively bedridden.
Said moment happened during the middle of Christmas, resulting in the family having to a do critical part of their festive celebrations whilst he was in too much pain to get up.
He recalled: “We did presents in the bedroom. My wife was very kind and put a Christmas tree up in there too, and hung baubles off the doorknobs. I had to have Christmas dinner off a tray. It was my worst Christmas.”
This isn’t the first time Matt has talked about his physical health, specifically his time as a competitive gymnast in his younger years, one which saw him dream of being “part of the Olympics” in the future.
Although Matt would later participate in gymnastics commentary at the recent Paris Olympics in 2024, it was not quite the same as actually participating.
Speaking to Wiltshire Farm Foods, Matt revealed what led to him being unable to fulfil his ambition of competing on the world’s greatest athletic stage.
He said: “Ever since I was a little lad, it was my dream to be part of the Olympics. But I ended up having to stop my gymnastics in my mid-teens because I got anaemia.
“It meant I just couldn’t train to the level that was needed so I made the heartbreaking decision to stop.”
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