Countryfile's Matt Baker addresses backlash ahead of his Olympics 2024 commentator role
Olympics 2024 commentator Matt Baker said many fans still question his right to comment on the gymnastics, despite his successful past in the sport
Matt Baker has addressed confusion over his "eclectic" career ahead of his Olympics 2024 presenting role. Due to the presenter being more commonly known for his hosting duties, many have questioned his credibility when it comes to commentating on gymnastics, unaware about his past.
While he is best known for his work on the likes of The One Show, Countryfile and his family show Our Farm in the Dales, Matt is very much in the right position to comment on the sport, given his own expertise, which began in his childhood.
Previously sharing articles on his Instagram page, the 46-year-old made headlines for winning a national contest, while another news story focused on him scoring a perfect 10 from a judge at the British Amateur Gymnastics Association at just 12-years-old.
Alongside the articles, he wrote in 2021: “For all those asking... here’s some clippings from my Old scrap book! As a lad gymnastics was my life... it taught me the simple recipe if you work hard you get a result.
“Without my sport I would never be where I am today... #gymnastics #workhard." As he sets to return to his commentating role for this year's Olympics in Paris, he told TV Times: "It makes me laugh when people ask, 'Why is the guy from Countryfile commentating on gymnastics?!'
"But yes, I love the eclectic mix of things that I do and have done."
Back in 2022, Matt showed off his gymnastic skills in the pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which he played Joey, the clown.
During the show, he walked on a tightrope, rode a unicycle and performed back flips, much to the audience's surprise.
Addressing his technique at the time, he said: "It's all this wonderful stuff, because I walk a tightrope. I was a British champion gymnast when I was younger, so all the acrobatic stuff is something I've always loved.
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"And when I was a young lad, actually instead of asking for a mountain bike for Christmas I asked for a unicycle.
"So I was lucky Santa brought me one. It will be quite intense. I'm looking forward to getting fit for it, to be honest with you."
Matt went on to say that still performing such stints as an adult was "a good excuse" at his age to stay active.
Shortly after his words however, the presenter suffered a nasty back injury while on tour, which resulted in a slipped disc.
Quizzed about his sporty side by Gaby Roslin on her The Mid.Point podcast earlier this year, Matt said he is very much still injured.
Asked if he can still do back flips, he shared: "No, I can't now. I've injured my back. I can't tell you how upsetting it is as an ex-gymnast, not to be able to bend forward.
"I did my back in. I was doing a panto. I was doing Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and we were practising with the stunt chairs, and the chair wasn't set correctly and bang! I went down on my coccyx, and it turns out I slipped a disc in my back."
Matt will return to this year's Olympics as a commentator, alongside Craig Heap and Christine Still and studio guest Beth Tweddle.
Olympics: Paris 2024 continues today from 1pm on BBC One.
