it's over
Matt Baker breaks down in tears as he QUITS The One Show after nine years at its helm
MATT Baker has quit The One Show after nine years at the show's helm.
The 41-year-old said he's looking forward to "putting his kids to bed" after presenting the weekday evening chat show with Alex Jones.
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Sitting alongside co-host Angelica Bell, a teary-eyed Matt said: "At this time of year, I like to take stock and reflect. 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 going to be leaving this green sofa in the spring.
"It's time to give someone else the opportunity to see how big hearted you, our One Show viewers, really are.
"It's something I get to witness every year. You help to change the lives of so many vulnerable youngsters for Children In Need.
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"All that support you show us, you will never really understand how much that means to me.
"And so, I'd like to thank you, and I'd like to pay a huge tribute to those who have written in over the last nine years.
"Of course, I'd like to thank Alex [Jones], who I've shared the sofa with all these years. And the teams of people who work on this show all around the UK.
"The ones you don't get to see, the researchers, the producers, the studio crew, everyone who makes this show feel like a massive, massive family.
"I'm going to miss you all and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."
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In a statement released today, the star assured fans he was not leaving the BBC: "I've loved that The One Show has been a big part of my life for the last nine years.
"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.
"I'm continuing with Countryfile and BBC Sport and excited about other opportunities that come my way but most of all I'm looking forward to having dinner with my family and being able to put my kids to bed."
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Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, added: "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."
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Matt joined The One Show as a guest presenter from May to August 2010, standing in for Jason Manford.
He later took over as a permanent host alongside Alex Jones.
Before The One Show, he worked as a presenter on Blue Peter, from 1999 to 2006. He worked alongside Konnie Huq, Zoe Salmon and Gethin Jones and won two Baftas for Best Children's Presenter two years in a row as well as a Royal Television Society award.
Matt joined the Countryfile team, first as a presenter for Countryfile Summer Diaries on weekday mornings on BBC One before co-presenting the evening show.
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He also hosted the first series of Secret Britain with Julia Bradbury and One Man and His Dog with Kate Humble.
Matt is married to physiotherapist Nicola Mooney - his childhood sweetheart.
Nicola and Matt met while they were at school and have now been married for 15 years after exchanging vows back in 2004.
The couple have two children together, son Luke and daughter Molly, and live just outside London.
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