BBC Countryfile and former Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker has candidly admitted to irritating a broadcasting legend during his time on a major television programme. The 48-year-old from County Durham opened up about the "intense" experience of competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, where he finished as runner-up with professional partner Aliona Vilani.
The Strictly Backflips That Frustrated Len Goodman
Despite thoroughly enjoying the competition, which reminded him of his youthful gymnastics days, Baker's acrobatic routines proved controversial. He specifically designed performances to showcase his athletic abilities, having been a promising gymnast before an anaemia diagnosis ended his sporting career at age 14.
"He used to call my backflips, flip flops!" Baker revealed during an interview with Wiltshire Farm Foods, referring to the late head judge Len Goodman's disapproval. Goodman, who served on Strictly from 2004 to 2016, famously preferred traditional ballroom style over theatrical flair and was visibly unimpressed by Baker's gymnastic displays.
An Intense Television Experience
Baker described the demanding nature of the celebrity dancing competition: "I can't tell you how intense it is. And as the competition progresses, you've got more and more dances to do. We really went for it – we wanted to technically do well as well as have a good time, and we did!"
The presenter had some performance experience that gave him an advantage over fellow contestants. While studying acting at Queen Margaret University School of Drama, he played 'Butch Vendor, the LA Bartender' in a 1970s-inspired comedy disco-dancing production called "Disco Inferno."
From Disco Inferno to Lasting Romance
It was during this theatrical production that Baker first met his wife Nicola, encountering her while performing at Cleethorpes venue Pier 39. Photographs have since surfaced showing the presenter in an extravagant cowboy outfit complete with a 10-gallon hat and furry waistcoat from those early performance days.
Speaking on James Martin's Saturday Morning show, Baker confessed: "I was called Butch Vendor and I was a bartender. I used to do all this juggling and stuff. Backflips and somersaults and what have you."
A Diverse Broadcasting Career
Baker's television work extends far beyond Len Goodman's disliked "flip flops." He has appeared on numerous programmes including A Song For Europe, City Hospital, and Animal Rescue Live, while playing a prominent role in broadcasting the 2012 London Olympics.
His current Countryfile position connects deeply to his personal background. Baker comes from farming stock and documented his efforts to renovate his parents' farmhouse in the series 'Our Farm in the Dales.' This project emerged after his mother broke her leg and needed a knee replacement.
"We all moved in with my mum and dad on the farm, and we adapted it to make it more manageable for them going forward," Baker explained. "We did a few little jaunts away and Channel 4 absolutely loved them. The show 'Travels with Mum and Dad' was born out of that. My mum and dad are brilliant. I love spending time with them. It was treasured time."
Throughout his varied career, from Blue Peter globetrotting to navigating personalities on The One Show, Baker has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the competitive television industry. His confession about annoying Len Goodman provides a revealing glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of one of Britain's most beloved entertainment programmes.
