Matt delighted his fans when he was a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, and although he finished the competion as runner up, he was the glitterball winner of the 2011 Strictly Live Tour.
Best known today as co-host of the One Show, Matt continues to present BBC's Countryfile, which was voted Best Television Programme of 2011 by the Voice of the Listener and Viewer in its annual awards for excellence in broadcasting.
Matt first made his mark on television as a presenter on Blue Peter, spending seven and a half years on the show and was recognised as one of the best loved and versatile presenters in the show's history. ter winning two BAFTA awards for Best Children's presenter and a Royal television Society award, he left Blue Peter in 2006 and began fronting BBC Daytime shows.
Matt was born in Durham where he grew up in the dales on his family's sheep farm. His love of the countryside and animals make him a perfect choice for fronting shows like Summer Countryfile Diaries, Crufts and a BBC NE natural history series. He studied BA (hons) Acting at Queen Margaret's in Edinburgh, but after only eighteen months into the course he was snapped up as 28th Blue Peter presenter and left drama school early.
As a boy he was a British gymnastic and sports acrobatics champion and has become a valued member of the BBC Grandstand team, presenting and commentating world gymnastics. His physical versitality has allowed him to successfully complete all sorts of television challenges. He has starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium; trained as a stunt man in Florida; spent a gruelling week with the Royal Marine Commandos, and passed their recruits' course. He also completed the Para's P Company selection tests. He made the final of BBC Sport Relief's charity show jumping series 'Only Fools on Horses'.
Matt has been lucky enough to film all over the world, from Australia to the grand Canyon, from the Serengeti plains of Tanzania to the Rio Carnival, and encountered some of the most remote and inhospitable places on the planet.
Matt's other BBC credits include hosting, 'Evacuation' series, 2 series of 'The Stables' Live 8. He presented Jonny Wilkinson's 'Hot Shots' rugby series plus Jonny's rugby training DVD.
His guest appearances include Never Mind the Buzzcocks, the Steve Wright Show, Song for Europe, BBC Breakfast and Children In Need.
Matt has also hosted the BBC's National Road Shows, four Family Proms in Hyde Park, many live Proms from the Albert Hall and for radio he co-presented three series of Making Tracks for Radio 3.
His charming natural presenting style both on and off screen brings an extra level to any corporate event. A professional hugely popular personality who resonates with all audiences.