Matt Baker says The One Show's Alex Jones made him…

Matt Baker says The One Show's Alex Jones made him fall in love with Wales

With just enough time to grab a bacon sandwich, former The One Show host Matt Baker spoke to WalesOnline as he prepared to embark on the third day of this year's Rickshaw Challenge in Wales. The presenter, whose career began on Blue Peter, even credited his The One Show co-host Alex Jones for making him fall in love with the country. Matt has been travelling the length and breadth of the country in a bid to raise money for Children in Need. 2022 marks the twelfth time that he has led the fundraising event.

For most of us, the thought of cycling from Sunderland to Silverstone is a daunting task but not for Matt, who enthusiastically said: "For me, I love this thing. It's not about how tired I am, it's the banter that keeps me going from these young people - They're absolutely superb." He is, of course, referring to five young children who have benefitted from projects by Children in Need.

Wales holds a special place in Matt's heart. During the third day of the Challenge, he and the fundraisers start their day at Llangaswai in Aberystwyth and will head eastwards to Capel Bangor, before circling back and ending on the Aberystwyth seafront. Matt said of the country: "It's brilliant, the support's fantastic and there's lovely people. Wales has a special place in my heart," before describing how he feels like Wales' "surrogate son".

Matt with Alexander Walker at the start of this year's Rickshaw Challenge (Newcastle Chronicle)

During the Welsh leg of the trip, Matt is joined by local basketball player Kai Frisby, who has cerebral palsy. "Before he'd had his operation, he was walking about and then he ended up in a wheelchair and his whole life changed when he discovered basketball through a Children in Need-funded project," the presenter said.

But for Matt, what keeps him doing the challenge? "I think, when you see the difference that Children in Need makes and when you become a parent yourself, you imagine what you'd do as a family if you found yourselves in that situation." He is married to wife Nicola and has two children - a son and a daughter.

He added: "Children in Need is born on generosity of others and people you don't even know but you're incredibly thankful for that support." Over his twelve years of doing the Rickshaw Challenge, Matt's has travelled further than 5,000 miles and has raised more than £43 million for his efforts.

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