Countryfile host to double up with One Show role

COUNTRYFILE host Matt Baker has finally been confirmed as the new co-host of BBC1's The One Show.

Baker, who won an army of fans for his athletic performances on last year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, had long been the front-runner to land the job.

He replaces Jason Manford, who quit the magazine show after it emerged the married presenter had been exchanging lewd messages with female fans by text and Twitter.

Baker - a former Blue Peter presenter, landing two TV Baftas during his seven-and-a-half year stint on the show - had been a success as a temporary stand-in on The One Show. He will also continue to present Countryfile.

Baker will take his place on The One Show alongside co-host Alex Jones from 14 February.

He said: "I'm over the moon to be joining The One Show as a full-time presenter.

"The BBC has made everything possible so I can also continue presenting Countryfile … I can't wait to get started."

The magazine show had to renew its presenter line-up after Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley headed to ITV last year, with Jones and Manford taking over, and Chris Evans co-hosting with Jones each Friday.

BBC1 controller Danny Cohen said: "With such a wide range of experience including Blue Peter, Countryfile, and Strictly Come Dancing, Matt's perfectly placed to take his place on The One Show sofa alongside Alex Jones."

Jones said she was pleased Baker was to become a "permanent fixture".

She added: "We have hosted the show together many times before, he's fantastic to work with and the perfect choice for The One Show."

Earlier this month former Countryfile presenter Miriam O'Reilly said she had done the "right thing" by "standing up" to the BBC after winning an age discrimination case.

Ms O'Reilly, 53, who lost her job as a presenter on Countryfile prior to the programme moving to a prime-time Sunday evening slot, also said she would like to return to work at the BBC.