Matt Baker has celebrated his last day as a presenter on The One Show.
The TV host, 42, appeared via video link from home as he sat on the sofa with a ‘sneaky g&t’ while presenting his last ever show alongside co-host Alex Jones.
While Matt remained composed throughout the episode, Alex couldn’t hold back her tears as she read out thoughtful goodbye messages from viewers.
Goobye! Matt Baker has celebrated his last day as a presenter on The One Show
Introducing Matt’s last programme at the start of the show, Alex said: ‘Matt is joining me from home on his last day at the one show. There should have been nibbles and drinks, but due to the current situation there isn’t.
She added: ‘You said you were leaving in December and the day is finally here!’
Explaining his reason for being at home, Matt said: ‘It’s non-essential travel for me to come in when I can say goodbye from here! As we always say, I’m having a sneaky g&t on the sofa.’
Matt has been presenting from his home for the past two weeks after revealing he was self-isolating because someone in his family had a cough amid COVID-19 fears.
Tearful: While Matt remained composed throughout the episode, Alex couldn’t hold back her tears as she read out thoughtful goodbye messages from viewers
Alex then revealed they had been ‘inundated’ with messages from their viewers who wanted to wish Matt well before he moved onto pastures new.
One said: You are lovely, funny and 100% natural. We have enjoyed welcoming you into our sitting room
Another wrote in: ‘You’re one of the good guys, I hope you find even more fulfilment in the next stage of your life!
Actor David Suchet also appeared on a video and told Matt: ‘You’ve given great pleasure to me, I’ve so much enjoyed being on the show and being interviewed by you – I send my best wishes!’
Cheers! Moving on: The TV host, 42, appeared via video link from home as he sat on the sofa with a ‘sneaky g&t’ while presenting his last ever show alongside co-host Alex Jones
Touching on the wonderful stories he’s covered over the years, Matt said: ‘We’ve got the best film teams going. I’m going to miss opening my emails and seeing the incredible content we’re going to include.
‘My hat goes off to the team for the wonderful content.’
Alex then moved on to discuss Matt’s charity contributions, which have included the Rickshaw Challenge for Children In Need.
She said: ‘Of all the wonderful things you’ve brought. One of those is the Rickshaw Challenge. It started off a bit mad to be honest, but it’s turned into a national institution.’
Charitable: Alex then moved on to discuss Matt’s charity contributions, which have included the Rickshaw Challenge for Children In Need
Dozens of people who had completed the challenge in the past paid tribute to Matt in an emotional VT. With one person adding: ‘You’re one of the nation’s gems!’
Following the segment, Alex said: ‘What a staggering achievement, you have such a unique way with the children on the challenge’
She then revealed how much the challenge had raised, and said: ‘Over the years since Matt began the challenge he has raised £35, 373, 713 for charity.’
Matt replied: ‘It’s a passion of mine, when you know you can put some effort in and make such a difference! People keep asking whether I’ll be doing the tenth, and hopefully I will be.’
End of an era: While Matt remained composed throughout the episode, Alex couldn’t hold back her tears as she read out thoughtful goodbye messages from viewers
Matt was then gifted a painting of himself and Alex on the One Show sofa, and Alex joked that she wants it to be hung up when she next comes to his house.
He said: ‘We’ve had some good times! I’ve loved every second of sitting beside you. I’ve watched your life change as you got married and had kids.’
Alex then broke down in tears and said: ‘You’re holding it together better than I am! It’s so odd, I know when you’re going to speak by the way you breathe we’ve been together than long.’
Tributes: Messages flooded in from viewers wishing Matt well for the future
While Matt said: ‘I want to thank our viewers, thank you for your compassion.’
And Alex added: ‘We’ll stay good friends, I’ll be straight on the phone after this! You’ve made this what it is.’
Finally, he joked: ‘Well I’m on Instagram now, so you can follow my life!’
Just before the final credits rolled, Alex and Matt shared a clip of their 2013 dance routine at Buckingham Palace.
The Countryfile presenter fought back tears when he first announced that he would be leaving the programme in December last year.
Closing the episode with an emotional speech, Matt welled up as he mused: ‘I have loved every second of being a part of it’.
Matt made his One Show debut as a guest presenter in November 2010, returning in January 2011 full-time as Jason Manford’s replacement.
Since then, he has hosted the teatime programme Monday to Thursday alongside co-host Alex Jones, who is currently on maternity leave, but will return in the New Year.
Discussing his departure, Matt began: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to say that at this time of year I like to stop, reflect and take stock.
‘The One Show has been a massive part of my life for almost a decade now, and I have loved every second of being a part of it, but I am leaving this green sofa in the spring.
Still around: Despite stepping down from The One Show, Matt will continue to present BBC ‘s Countryfile and sport coverage
‘It’s time to give someone else the opportunity to see how big-hearted and generous you, the viewers, really are.’
Referencing his co-host Alex Jones, who joined The One Show in 2010, a year before Matt, he continued: ‘Of course, I’d like to thank Alex who I’ve shared this sofa with for all of these years.
‘And the teams of people who work on the show all around the UK the ones you don’t get to see, the researchers, the producers, the studio crew, everyone that makes this show feel like a massive massive family.
‘I’m going to miss you all very much indeed and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
‘I’m looking forward most of all to spending evenings with my wife Nicola and putting my kids to bed of an evening.’
Matt will continue to present BBC’s Countryfile and sport coverage.
Matt said in a statement: ‘It’s been brilliant to showcase the eclectic mix of Britain, meet incredible people along the way and witness so many lives changed with the annual Rickshaw Challenge for Children in Need.
‘I’d like to thank all those I’ve worked with over the years and especially you the viewer for showing me so much support during my time on the green sofa.’
Other ventures: Matt will continue to present BBC ‘s Countryfile and sport coverage
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, says: ‘I would like to thank Matt for his nine years presenting The One Show, he has given so much to the show over that time. His warmth and wit have helped to create many magical moments on the sofa.
‘He has a great connection with BBC One viewers and will continue to play an important role on the channel on Sunday nights in Countryfile and with BBC Sport on our Gymnastics coverage.
‘We look forward to working with him on other programmes in the future.’
Friends: Matt and Alex have presented the programme together for nine years