Matt Baker once shocked his wife, Nicola Mooney, with a confession after a harrowing incident while filming an episode of Countryfile. Known for his TV appearances from his early days on Blue Peter in the 1990s, Matt has since delved into his rural roots with shows like Channel 4’s Our Dream Farm and Our Farm in the Dales.

A familiar face on Countryfile, where he shares the screen with John Craven and Anita Rani, Matt’s revelation unfolded during a chat with his colleagues in 2025 about the program. Speaking on the Second Nature podcast at Kew Gardens, the hosts reminisced about any unexpected stories they had experienced, prompting Matt to disclose an incident where he had fractured his back while on a reporting assignment.

The mishap took place while covering a story on rehabilitating racehorses. Mounted on a horse, Matt found himself in a precarious situation when the animal got spooked by a nearby hedgecutter, causing it to injure its leg on an electric fence and topple over him.

Reflecting on the event, Matt described the chaotic moment when the horse bolted, leaving him with a fractured back. Despite initially brushing off the severity of his injury, he later realized the extent of the damage and sought medical attention, with his wife, then a physiotherapist, supporting him through the ordeal.

In a separate development, Matt has shared his struggles with ongoing back pain on social media, receiving an outpouring of encouragement from his followers. Taking to Instagram, he unveiled his plans to build a rustic gym in their stable, aiming to reignite his active lifestyle after years of dealing with chronic pain.

Emphasizing a cautious approach to his fitness journey, given his gymnastics background, Matt expressed his determination to overcome his physical challenges and return to form gradually. Fans can catch Matt on the upcoming episode of Countryfile on BBC One on Sunday, March 1, from 6 pm to 7 pm.