Matt Baker opens up on being 'apart' from wife as he issues family update

Countryfile's Matt Baker and his wife Nicola have been together for over two decades and have recently seen their careers go in different directions
'Countryfile' favourite Matt Baker and his wife Nicola have opened up about spending time apart as she embarks on an exciting new chapter away from their farm, chasing after a career in writing.
In recent years, the couple have captured viewers' hearts on their hit Channel 4 series, Our Farm in The Dales, where the ex-Blue Peter presenter and his wife can be seen managing a sheep farm in the picturesque Durham hillside, close to where Matt was raised.
‌
Although Nicola's career has primarily revolved around her physiotherapy work and bringing up their two kids, she's also indulged in penning stories over the years. What was once just a pastime has blossomed into a full-fledged career, with Nicola now boasting three children's novels to her name and even more in the pipeline.
‌
With Matt juggling his own telly commitments, the two recently discussed their individual ventures during their chat on Lorraine's couch.
Lorraine probed: "You go off doing your own thing writing the books, and you go off doing your own things around Britain, so there are times where you are apart. But don't you think sometimes that works?"
Matt shared his take on their newfound independence, expressing: "We're such doers in our lives, and we're so supportive of what each other wants to do, we've just found our way through."
Amid their busy schedules, Nicola revealed that their limited time together has become even more precious: "We make the most of the time that we have together and prioritise that — and make the most of that."
The lovebirds met by happy accident when Matt was a performer at a disco in Cleethorpes, culminating in a beautiful wedding over two decades ago. Now parents to Molly and Luke, they've witnessed their bond only grow stronger with time.
‌
In her literary endeavours, Nicola released her first children's book, A Whistledown Farm Adventure: Finding Hope, in February last year and has since seen two more of her novels — Rescuing Ruby and Meeting Meg — appear on shelves, with another title anticipated later this year.
While Nicola gives us a peek into her world with Matt, he himself is gearing up for a return to the telly later today, joining forces with Sammi Kinghorn to explore East Devon on the latest instalment of Countryfile.
Additionally, fans of the bucolic show can look forward to Adam Henson's comeback, as he cares for the newborn livestock on his farm in the Cotswolds.
Be sure not to miss Countryfile, which airs this afternoon (Sunday, June 22) on BBC One at 5.25pm.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Metro

2 hours ago

• Metro

Gogglebox's Mary Killen, 67, addicted to vaping after 'never smoking cigarettes'

Gogglebox star Mary Killen has revealed that she has become 'addicted' to vaping in her 60s as a lifelong non-smoker. The 67-year-old TV personality appears on the Channel 4 reality show with her husband Giles, with the pair amusing the nation with their upper class aesthetic and, occasionally, out-of-touch commentary on the hottest cultural topics. They've been dubbed everything from 'posh' to 'eccentric' with their unique brand of humour and have been a staple on the show for a decade, after joining in 2015. For the most part, casual viewers have pieced together an image of their cottage-dwelling life from snippets they've revealed on the show and Mary's past as an author, Spectator columnist and etiquette expert. Now, she has opened up about a vice that has haunted her in her later years – vaping, in a new column for Mail Online. The media star explained that she only picked up the habit 'a couple of years ago' after having a puff from a Juul offered by her 22-year-old son of a friend. Mary revealed that she had 'never been interested in normal cigarettes' and would even 'decline' smoking them during her younger years when all her peers were, somewhat influenced by the fact that her father was a doctor. She doesn't even 'drink alcohol'. As for the appeal of the vape (which her son's friend casually gifted to her), she explained: 'I loved inhaling the odourless air and blowing it out again. It just looked so chic and felt cooling in the palm of the hand.' Soon enough, she found herself buying 'replacement pods', reasoning that it would 'be good if I were to appear to have at least one addiction' and allow her most social acceptability in 'drinking circles'. There is currently no long-term research on the health effects of vaping, with the NHS cautioning against taking up the vice if you do not smoke, while Mary herself cited one UK health website which even advocated for the benefits of nicotine as a 'stimulant'. According to the NHS website, 'nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking' and is used as a tool for those looking to quit cigarettes. The website stipulates, however: 'Vaping is not completely harmless and we don't know yet what the long-term effects may be. Children and non-smokers should never vape.' She added, however: 'Nicotine is highly addictive and I now waste about £14 a week on four Juul replacement pods, each one delivering roughly the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes.' 'And the addiction is a problem, because if I run out of replacement pods I become self-pitying and argumentative.' All this (as well as new studies on the impact on children's health) has prompted her to make a new resolve to quit vaping, although she joked she would 'probably kill or be killed' by family members is she went 'cold turkey'. Ultimately, she called the habit 'very enjoyable' with no especially scary health risks, and there was easy access to 'feed' her addiction. More Trending On the screen, Mary and her husband remain a controversial inclusion to the Gogglebox line-up. In February, they faced backlash from viewers after they commiserated about a by-election in which there had been a massive swing against the Conservative party with fans calling them 'insufferable' and 'utterly unbearable' View More » Then, in March, Mary got into hot water after calling Stephen Graham 'that actor who always plays short northerners' during the height of Adolescence's popularity. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Woman breaks down in tears at 'uncomfortable' sex party with boyfriend MORE: TV fans are only just discovering one of Channel 4's most 'hilarious' hidden gems MORE: Amazon Prime fans have just days left to binge 'riveting' period drama

Daily Mirror

3 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Tammy Hembrow and Love Island husband split just seven months after marrying

The couple got married after a whirlwind romance, when they met online, but mum-of-three fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow posted a tearful TikTok video explaining she blames herself for their split Love Island Australia 's Matt Zukowski has split with his fitness influencer wife Tammy Hembrow just seven months after they got married. The couple got engaged in December 2023 after three months of dating, before tying the knot in November 2024. Their wedding was held at Byron Bay's Chateau Du Soleil in a stunning ceremony, with the couple surrounded by their family and friends. Tammy, 31, has three children, Wolf, 10, and daughter Saskia, eight, whom she shares with her ex Reece Hawkins. She also has three–year–old daughter Posy, who she had with former partner Matt Poole. ‌ She addressed her split from Matt, 29, on TikTok, saying she didn't want to go into too much detail. Speaking to her followers, Tammy said: "This is giving me so much anxiety … I wanted to finally tell you guys that I am going to be getting a divorce." ‌ Tammy continued: 'Did I think this was gonna happen? Did I want this? No. Obviously, when you marry someone, you do it thinking that it's gonna be forever. And I blame no one but myself, to be honest." The influencer was visibly tearful, explaining: "I feel like I've made not the best choices when it comes to relationships. And I feel like I'm really good at putting on rose-colored glasses or just getting swept up in it all." Confirming the news, former Love Island star Matt shared a heartfelt post on his story. He wrote: "It's with a heavy heart I share that Tammy and I have decided to separate. Both of us have struggled with making this decision however we need to do what is right for ourselves and her three children. "This wasn't a decision we took lightly. Our time together will always be cherished and never forgotten." Matt concluded: "We appreciate everyone's support and space at this time as we navigate the split." ‌ Fans have been speculating that something was wrong with their marriage when Tammy was spotted crying in a pubic toilet in March. Matt was later allegedly overheard talking badly about his wife at a gym in Melbourne. It's also been rumoured that Matt left the couple's home in Queensland and moved back to Melbourne where he worked for his father's business. He also carried on his Where's Your Head At? podcast alongside ex-girlfriend and Love Island contestant Anna McEvoy. Matt was absent from different events over recent months, including Tammy's 31st birthday and her daughter Posy's third birthday party. Tammy had been posting a series of cryptic social media photos and videos, including a TikTok captioned: "When something feels off it is usually women's intuition." ‌ In an interview last year with Stellar magazine, mum-of-three Tammy hit back at critics of her whirlwind relationship. She told the publication: "When people say, 'Oh, you're introducing your kids to another man', I get where they're coming from. But I'm not doing this lightly.' She added: 'Blended families can be amazing, and my goal is to always get along with my exes. I always do what's in the best interest of my kids.'

The National

3 hours ago

• The National

Shetlanders raise £10k for Gaza through art exhibition

The pop-up event was organised by ex-SNP MSP turned painter Jean Urquhart and crofter Cilla Robertson. A total of £10,433 was raised in 2025 after local artists and craftspeople donated all sorts of hand-made goods from Shetland, including knitwear, ceramics, books, paintings, home-dried herbs and decorative mosaics. A similar amount – £10,072 – was also raised at a similar event organised by the pair in 2024. READ MORE: SNP minister responds to 'secret meeting to discuss John Swinney leadership' reports The exhibition was staffed by local artists and members of Palestinian Solidarity Shetland. An original song was also offered, with the buyer able to then name and dedicate it. It was subsequently dedicated to the Palestinian people and sent to Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot. Two of the items that were donated (Image: Jean Urquhart) It has also been titled: 'Tae Palestine, Fae Shetland, Wae Love'. The money raised has been split between Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Zaynab Project, whose founder Mina Shakib said: 'We're truly honored by support from the Shetland Islands. Knowing that your community chose the Zaynab Project because of our focus on food, water, and orphan support in Gaza means so much to us. We are honored to have received such a large, generous donation from Palestinian Solidarity Shetland and your community.' Urquhart, meanwhile, said: 'There are groups like ours all across Scotland. All protesting against the Zionist Israeli government actions in Palestine and our own UK Government's complicity in the genocide. "History shows Britain's involvement in the lives of Palestinians since the days of the British Mandate – it's time to make amends and help the people of Palestine, not destroy them. We owe them'.