The Countryfile and The One Show presenter is also known for his work as a commentator on the BBC’s gymnastics coverage

BBC presenter Matt Baker has opened up on the “heartbreaking” decision he had to make as he was forced to abandon his childhood dream following a health diagnosis.

The 48-year-old is best known to TV audiences for his work on Countryfile and The One Show, as well as children’s show Blue Peter and a stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. But as a child, he harboured ambitions of representing his country on the global stage as a professional sportsman.

In his youth, Baker was a keen and successful gymnast, competing in junior events and winning a North of England title as he dreamt of making it to the Olympics.

While he would later work as a commentator on the BBC’s coverage of the Games, however, that’s as close as he would get as a medical diagnosis at the age of 13 brought his own sporting ambitions to an end.

Unsurprisingly, Baker was left devastated as he was forced to abandon gymnastics, as he recalled in an interview with Wiltshire Farm Foods: “Ever since I was a little lad, it was my dream to be part of the Olympics.

“But I ended up having to stop my gymnastics in my mid-teens because I got anaemia. It meant I just couldn’t train to the level that was needed, so I made the heartbreaking decision to stop.”

Iron deficiency anaemia is characterised by symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath, palpitations, pale skin, and headaches, with the cause, as the name suggests, being a lack of iron.

In women, it can be brought on by heavy periods and pregnancy. It can also be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, piles, stomach ulcers, inflammation in the bowel or oesophagus and certain cancers.

Less common symptoms include tinnitus, food tasting strange, itchiness, a sore tongue, hair loss, difficulty swallowing, a desire to eat non-food items, ulcers in the corners of your mouth, restless legs and changes to your nails.

Baker had previously told The Telegraph that he had been “really upset” when he was forced to change his dream career path during his teenage years, in light of the diagnosis.

“When I was told aged 13 that I was anaemic and had to slow down my gymnastics training, which meant that I wouldn’t be able to continue at the level I was at, I was really upset,” he said.

“I’d lost my identity in a way. But then I just committed to something else: I went off and became a North of England pole-vaulting champion and did sports acrobatics.”

While speaking to Wiltshire Farm Foods, Baker also recalled becoming emotional when he was offered the chance to take part in the torch relay in his native County Durham ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

“When I got to carry the torch through my home city it was a real lump in your throat kind of experience,” he said.

“I’ve still got the torch that I had in the relay, it’s a real prized possession of mine.”

BBC Morning Live star Gethin Jones has stepped away from his presenting duties

Gethin Jones has temporarily left his role on BBC Morning Live to take on a new responsibility leading the Wales team at the Commonwealth Games.

The former rugby union player has been given leave from the BBC to serve as chef de mission for his nation. The BBC Morning Live presenter will support Team Wales at this year’s Commonwealth Games, assisting athletes, representing Wales at official functions, and acting as the team’s official spokesperson.

The Welsh star has recently been in Scotland with fellow chefs de mission attending workshops, presentations and seminars ahead of the major sporting event. Gethin explained that the BBC have been “incredibly supportive” of his new role, adding: “The detail is just phenomenal.

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“Everything is geared towards the athletes being in the best environment to succeed when they come here in the summer and every day, every hour there’s something to consider.”

Wales Online has now explored Jones’ career in the public eye, including a painful split and speculation surrounding his BBC colleague Helen Skelton.

Painful split

Jones revealed his separation from Katherine Jenkins left him struggling with depression. The couple ended their relationship in 2011 after five years together, which had included an engagement. Speaking to the Mirror in 2023, the BBC presenter revealed: “I was engaged and then breaking up, afterward, or even during that period, it was just awful. I remember doing BBC Radio 5Live and going into the toilet at 5.30 am going, ‘All right. Come on. Just focus for the next three hours, and then you can go back to being sad again.’”

He added: “I definitely had a bad bout of depression during that time.’ I was waiting for a friend to tell me what to do and they can’t do that.

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“It puts so much pressure on them… you need to figure it out yourself. I saw someone, I had therapy for a couple of years and I still do my homework on that.”

Birthday getaway with Sky Sports presenter

Jones marked his 48th birthday with mate and Sky Sports presenter Pien Meulensteen. The duo travelled to Morzine for a skiing holiday earlier this year, with the BBC star posting numerous photographs on social media.

The images captured the friends unwinding in a hot tub alongside some of Meulensteen’s companions. The Sky Sports presenter, who is the daughter of former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, featured in Jones’ Instagram upload as the group wore matching headwear.

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Jones expressed his delight about the getaway in his caption, writing: “A quality few days in Morzine with a top class group ‘the padel princesses’. First time I went to the mountains I raced half pipe and tried a ski jump, this was around 20 years ago!

“I’ve been skiing a few times since then but decided to get my first lesson this time, and guess what, it really helped. Waiting for the queen of socials @pienmeulensteen to send some reels. Until then, here’s my offering!”

Helen Skelton rumours

Helen Skelton addressed the speculation surrounding her ‘relationship’ with Jones in an uncommon statement back in February. After her separation from rugby player Richie Myler in 2022, rumours emerged last year suggesting a potential romance between the BBC colleagues.

The duo had allegedly spent time together at an upmarket spa and appeared affectionate at the Pride of Britain Awards, where they were photographed embracing and leaning against each other on the red carpet. Nevertheless, Skelton dismissed any notion of a romantic involvement when questioned about further dates.

She stated: “No. Well, he’s in Manchester working away, so yeah, no, all good.”

When pressed on the matter, Skelton was swift to dispel the romance speculation. She continued: “We just work together, we are not together. No, no, no. We are just work friends. They printed pictures of us at work and that we’re together because we are at work together.”

Jones shares the same view, as he emphasised their close friendship during Comic Relief in 2025. When questioned whether their 24-hour roller-skating challenge might affect their relationship, the BBC star commented: “What’s different this time is that we have each other. We’re best friends.

“We’re very honest with one another.”

Molly Lambert, 22, shared how she lives with Pure O obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a form where compulsions are mainly mental rather than physical.

As a teenager, she experienced intrusive sexual and violent thoughts that made her fear she was a danger to others.

After seeing a TikTok video about P-OCD – the paedophilic theme within OCD involving unwanted sexual thoughts or images about children – Molly was finally diagnosed in August 2025.

Molly Lambert, 22, developed intrusive sexual and violent thoughts as a teenager (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

She stresses that P-OCD is not paedophilia and chose to share her story to help others suffering in silence.

Since speaking out, she has received messages from people of all ages who have never told anyone about their intrusive thoughts. Many described years of fear, shame, and isolation, she said.

Molly, a digital PR worker and mental health advocate from Deansgate, Manchester, said: “The response has been overwhelming. People say they’ve been crying, that they’ve felt like this for years and never told anyone.

“Parents have reached out saying they have obsessions about harming their children. Some people said they ended up in psychiatric wards or tried to take their own lives.”

She believes the taboo nature of these thoughts makes them more dangerous.

She said: “People don’t talk about it, and that makes it worse. Some messages are from people in their 50s who have been silently suffering their whole lives.

“It shows how common and hidden it is.”

Molly Lambert, 22 (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

Molly explained that her OCD caused her to obsess over themes including harm, morality, sexuality, and existence.

She said: “It’s not being a paedophile – it’s that these thoughts exist and your brain latches onto them. OCD is all about uncertainty. It tells you ‘what if?’ and you can’t prove it wrong.”

She described how different themes felt like “the same lie in a different disguise.”

The thoughts themselves were distressing, but she emphasised they never reflected her intentions or desires.

Unlike some forms of OCD that involve physical rituals, Molly’s compulsions were internal.

Molly said: “I would replay thoughts, overanalyse everything, check comments, and second guess myself constantly. You feel like you can’t relax.”

She explained the cycle – resisting compulsions causes anxiety spikes, but giving in only strengthens the pattern.

Even now, stress or fatigue can make the thoughts feel stronger.

For years, she felt trapped in what she calls “dark spirals” of shame.

She said: “You think you’re a monster, that you don’t deserve to exist. The shame is in how you see yourself. Even years later, that feeling can linger.”

Molly Lambert, 22 (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

She believes OCD can be especially damaging during adolescence.

“When you’re figuring out who you are, OCD attacks everything and makes you question your identity.”

Her recovery has not been straightforward.

She first had therapy in 2023, which helped temporarily, but by 2024 her panic attacks worsened, leading her to try hypnotherapy. She was formally diagnosed in 2025.

Molly said: “The aftermath of recovery is awful, the shame is still there, just quieter. You have to deal with ongoing feelings.”

She found that speaking openly was a turning point.

“Externalising it helped the most. For years I avoided talking about it, but once I did, it felt like the air cleared,” she said.

Molly also believes stigma may be even stronger for men.

She said: “If I was a man, I’d be terrified to open up. OCD doesn’t pick gender, but men may fear being judged or accused. That’s why awareness matters – it’s not about desire or intent.”

Despite her intentions, going public has led to abuse.

She said: “I’ve been called a ‘nonce’ and told to die. I had to delete Facebook, and my mum helps manage messages.

“If people understood traditional OCD, they’d see the same patterns in other forms. Reactions can push sufferers further into themselves, and that’s why it’s dangerous.

“Intrusive thoughts can appear suddenly and feel vivid, I could be thinking about breakfast and suddenly imagine being stabbed. OCD sticks – it’s a brain pattern.”

Pure O is particularly challenging because everything happens internally.

She said: “It feels real, even when you logically know it’s not. It’s exhausting and relentless.”

Over time, Molly has learned to sit with the thoughts rather than engage with them.

She said: “I observe them and recognise the pattern. You have to label it so it loses power. People want it to stop immediately, but understanding it is the only way.

“That’s the advice I share those who reach out to me.

“It gives people permission to step back and realise it’s their brain – not them being a monster.”

Despite ongoing struggles, she remains determined to help others.

Molly said: “People have sought help, got diagnosed, or realised they’re not alone after hearing my story. That’s what matters.

“I wish I had earlier awareness, it could have saved me years of suffering. People message me saying they thought they were the only ones.

“It’s heart breaking, but it shows how vital it is to talk about it.”

Molly Lambert, when she was younger (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

Molly still experiences intrusive thoughts daily and says there is no simple fix.

She said: “They’re the same lie in a different disguise, but recognising the pattern helps me manage them.”

She emphasises that OCD can affect anyone.

Molly said: “If even one person reaches out for help because of my story, it’s worth it. The response shows how many people are silently struggling – and how important it is to break that silence.”

Councillors representing Brotton said East Cleveland Hospital was under-used with an X-ray department having also been out of action for several months, although this was related to equipment failure, not staffing.

Services at the facility are commissioned by the North East Integrated Care Board (NE ICB) and delivered by the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, part of the University Hospitals Tees group.

Councillor Graham Cutler, a Brotton ward councillor, said a minor injuries unit should be piloted at the hospital where members of the public could walk in for treatment.

He also highlighted how Redcar and Cleveland had no 24/7 urgent care provision, unlike other areas, with Redcar Primary Care Hospital – the nearest such facility – closing at midnight.

Cllr Cutler said East Cleveland residents faced “health access inequality” and establishing a minor injuries unit could reduce unnecessary 999 ambulance calls as well as ease the pressure on Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital, which has both an A&E and urgent treatment centre.

He said some “geographically isolated” residents had experienced “massive waits” at both Redcar and Middlesbrough with others choosing to travel further afield for treatment to Whitby and Scarborough.

Services at East Cleveland Hospital, which is in Brotton, include general rehabilitation, assessment of present and future care needs, diagnostics, drug administration, blood transfusions, pain control and palliative care.

Outpatient clinics are also held at the hospital for example for patients receiving physiotherapy.

University Hospital Tees said enabling works were required to be carried out in order to install a new X-ray machine, although this would not be until the autumn.

A spokeswoman did not directly address future plans for the community hospital, but said it was working in partnership with the NE ICB and the wider NHS to “optimise service provision”.

Councillor Cutler, along with fellow Brotton ward councillors Barry Hunt and Martin Fletcher, have persuaded members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s adults, wellbeing and health scrutiny committee to undertake further scrutiny sessions to look at urgent care provision in the area, as well as explore potential for the delivery of additional services at East Cleveland Hospital.

It is expected to seek information from the relevant NHS organisations and could produce a report with recommendations, which they would be required to respond to.

A recent meeting of the committee heard how  the hospital “remained a substantial and suitable building, but was currently under utilised” with potential also to deliver the likes of mental health support and drug and alcohol services.

Meanwhile, some residents were said to fear that the site could eventually close altogether and it was perceived as a “white elephant”.

Karen Hawkins, a director of delivery at the North East Integrated Care Board, covering the Tees Valley area, told the meeting upgrading East Cleveland Hospital would require significant staffing, potentially drawing resources away from other sites.

It was suggested by the committee there could be benefit in re-examining opening times and demand patterns at the Redcar Primary Care Hospital.

Clarification was also sought on whether any discussions about service closures were taking place, with reassurance given that the intention was to integrate primary and community care within existing facilities rather than build new estates.

Cllr Hunt told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that half of the Brotton facility was not being used.

He said:  “We’ve had support from the scrutiny committee and councillors across the board.

“They have an X-ray unit at Brotton and it hasn’t been working for ages.

“East Cleveland is missing out.

“Why do you have to go to Middlesbrough to sit for hours just to get a finger stitched?

“Someone has got to fight for this, it’s very important.”

The University Hospital Tees spokeswoman said: “A new x-ray machine for East Cleveland Hospital has recently been purchased and plans are in place to carry out enabling works to accommodate the new machine which will allow the machine to be installed by autumn 2026.”

She said it was continuing to explore the best possible ways in which to continue the transformation of services and optimise patient experience, and “considering a range of options to ensure services are safe, sustainable and meet future needs”. 

A spokesman for the NE ICB added: “In line with the priorities outlined in the [NHS] ten year health plan, the ICB is committed to ensuring that service delivery shifts away from acute hospital settings to local communities, with a focus on prevention.  

 “As such, we are working with system partners on how we can best utilise modern facilities closer to home for physical and mental health community-based services.”

A 10-month-old girl has died along with two other people after a tree toppled during an Easter egg hunt in northern Germany, police say.

The 100-foot tree fell on four people participating in the event on Sunday morning in woods near the town of Satrupholm.

The baby girl died in hospital, while her 21-year-old mother died at the scene as she was being treated by first responders, as did another 16-year-old girl.

An 18-year-old woman suffered serious injuries and was brought to the hospital by helicopter.

The incident took place as around 50 people from a nearby residential facility for new mothers, pregnant women and children hunted for eggs in the area, which had been under a high winds warning from the German weather service.

Grief counsellors were sent to the scene, where pictures published by the Bild news site showed several Easter eggs scattered on the ground and two of the victims covered in white sheets.

The facility that held the event is part of the state-funded child welfare system and supports pregnant women and new mothers who need help, according to its website.

The mountain got plenty of sun on Sunday and is set for ‘a lot of fine weather’ over the next few days

Pen y Fan drew a huge number of hikers on Easter Sunday. With the sun shining over south Wales’ highest peak, the car parks were so full that most visitors had to park on the grass verges of the main road.

When our photographer visited this afternoon, there were hundreds of people enjoying the Powys mountain’s magnificent views of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) national park.

Staff were kept busy in the car parks, while ice cream was available from a van. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.

Many of the hikers brought their dogs with them.

Sitting in the heart of the national park, the top of Pen y Fan is some 886m above sea level.

It is one of the most popular walks in Wales, with views that take in many miles of rolling hills.

If you’re thinking of a visit to Pen y Fan over the coming days, here’s what the Met Office has to say.

“High confidence for a lot of fine weather next few days,” the mountain forecast reads. “Some uncertainty about cloud amounts, though some very warm sunshine possible Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Moderate confidence for the timing of a rain band clearing through early on Thursday, introducing cooler more changeable conditions later in the week.”

On Monday, the Met Office estimates a “medium” chance of poor visibility and “challenging route-finding conditions” on the mountain.

“Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references,” the forecaster warns.

“Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.”

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Leicester did not help themselves at times – some of the front-line defence, particularly in the first half, was woeful – but the Tigers were fighting fires everywhere. If Bielle-Biarrey, with that iconic red scrum cap, is not cutting you to shreds, then Jalibert will, or Lucu, one of European rugby’s most underrated players, will squeeze you out of the contest with his calmness, kicking and control. The ovation Lucu, Bordeaux’s scrum-half and captain, received on 50 minutes as he departed was cacophonous; as was the roar Ben Tameifuna ignited when the wardrobe-on-wheels thundered over for a score soon after coming on. If Bordeaux cannot go round you, they will go through you, instead.

Outclassed, outfought and out-thought, the challenge for Leicester now is to ensure that there is a response in the league. For Bordeaux, it might only be Toulouse who can stand between them and an historic European and domestic double.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 3-0 Lucu pen, 8-0 Woki try, 10-0 Lucu con, 15-0 Rayasi try, 20-0 Lucu try, 22-0 Lucu con, 27-0 Bielle-Biarrey try, 29-0 Lucu con, 34-0 Lamothe try, 36-0 Lucu try, 36-5 Perese try, 36-7 Searle con, 41-7 Tameifuna try, 43-7 Lucu con, 43-12 Searle con, 43-14 Searle con, 48-14 Rayasi try, 50-14 Reus con, 55-14 Retiere try, 57-14 Reus con, 62-14 Rayasi try, 64-14 Reus con.

Bordeaux: S Rayasi; P Uberti, D Penaud, Y Moefana (Janse van Rensburg 50, Reus 51), L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, M Lucu (capt, Retiere 50); J Poirot (Perchaud 46), M Lamothe (Barlot 58), C Sadie (Tameifuna 46), B Palu, A Coleman (Bochaton 64), B Vergnes-Taillefer, C Woki, M Gazzotti (Matiu 58).

Leicester: F Steward; A Radwan, I Perese (Wand 60), J Woodward (Searle 41), O Hassell-Collins; J O’Connor, J van Poortvliet (Whiteley 54); A van der Flier (Haffar 47), J Blamire (Clare 47), W Hurd (Loman 47), H Liebenberg (c), H Wells, J Moro, J Manz (Palmer 38), O Cracknell (Henderson 54).

Referee: Andrew Brace (Wales).

Attendance: 32,930.

Luke Tweddle, 25, has spent three years living in Australia and admits it’s better overall – but he’s planning to return to the UK and says England still excels in three key areas

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A British expat living in Australia has proclaimed it a “better country” than England – yet he insists there are still three aspects of the UK that remain superior.

Luke Tweddle, 25, from Surrey, has spent the past three years living in various locations across Oz, including Adelaide and Sydney, and currently resides in Perth with his girlfriend. Despite pointing out numerous advantages to life in Australia, particularly the weather and overall lifestyle, he is due to return to England before long.

In his latest travel vlog, the content creator addressed one of the most frequently asked questions – ‘Is Life In Australia Actually Better Than The UK?’

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Speaking to his subscribers, he said: “Everyone always says that life in Australia is way better than life in the UK. But as a 25-year-old Brit that obviously grew up in the UK and then spent three years living in Australia, the answer actually isn’t that simple.

“Because depending on which part of life you are looking at, Australia wins in some ways. And believe it or not, the UK does actually win in some ways as well,” reports Surrey Live.

Nightlife

Concerning one area where the UK comfortably outshines Down Under, Luke said: “There is one side to the social life though that I do think the UK does a lot better than Australia and that is the nightlife and the whole night-time culture.”

He pointed out that Australian culture was considerably more geared towards early mornings, popping to coffee shops, strolling along beaches and outdoor exercise. Luke added that the nightlife wasn’t especially remarkable even in the major cities.

He said: “To be honest, if you are 18, 19 years old and nightlife is a priority, I actually wouldn’t recommend Australia because you’re just going to be disappointed with the nightlife.”

Luke observed that even he, having spent three years in Australia, has transformed into more of an early riser, noting that many venues don’t stay open until the small hours.

Activities

When it comes to things to do, Luke praised both countries, saying there was a similar range of activities available. However, he highlighted that in Australia, leisure pursuits were heavily reliant on good weather conditions.

He explained: “The only negative is when it does get to winter time, Australia literally hibernates because I don’t feel like there’s anywhere near as many activities, it is all so reliant on the weather.

“Obviously in the UK where we cannot rely on the weather at all, pretty much every activity is okay to do whatever the weather is, and a big part of the activities are inside.”

He added: “Obviously, in the UK, if you don’t care about the sun, and being outside, the UK has got lots to do. Sports are great in the UK, the pub culture is great, and there are a lot more indoor activities.”

Location

He explained that the biggest challenge about residing in Australia was the enormous distance from home, and being apart from friends and family. Luke characterised this element of staying in Australia long-term as the “real negative”.

He continued: “And unless you really make a close circle here in Australia I feel like no matter how long you stay here, you will never make as many connections as you have back home, especially someone like me who’s got a lot of friends and family back home and just Australia’s location in general…

“Aussies won’t be affected because they’ve grown up with that. That’s all they know and everyone they know is here. But if you’ve moved from the UK and been in Australia for a while, it is a really deciding factor when it comes to saying or leaving.”

Final thoughts

In the same video, which you can watch in full here, Luke highlighted all the benefits of Australia compared to England. He acknowledged the wages were better, the work environment was more laid-back, the scenery was more beautiful, public transport was more dependable and that it typically felt safer.

Yet in conclusion, he observed: “Now if you ask me which county do I think is better? The answer is obvious… Australia wins in nearly every way. But it’s a weird situation where that’s the case, but I also don’t want to stay, and I think a lot of Brits will relate to this.”

Explosives of “devastating power” have been found near a pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia, according to Serbia’s president.

Aleksandar Vucic said two backpacks with “large packages of explosives” had been left a few hundred metres from the Balkan Stream pipeline.

It’s an extension of the Turk Stream pipeline that carries gas from Russia under the Black Sea to Turkey.

Mr Vucic said millions could have been cut off if the explosives had detonated.

“I just had a talk with [Hungarian prime minister] Viktor Orban, and informed him that if the gas pipeline had been cut there, Hungary would not have had gas and we in northern Serbia would not have had gas,” he told reporters.

Mr Vucic warned anyone trying to destroy Serbia’s infrastructure would face a “merciless” response and “harsh and severe punishment”.

On Instagram, he said the explosives potentially had “devastating power”.

Mr Orban, who arranged an emergency defence council meeting for Sunday afternoon, said on X “the equipment needed to detonate it” had also been discovered.

The incident comes seven days before Hungarian voters decide whether to extend his 16 years in power.

His party is currently behind in the polls, although many people say they are still undecided on who to back.

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Mr Orban, who is seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in Europe, increased security around the country’s energy infrastructure in February and has framed the election as a choice between war or peace.

The Hungarian leader has often been a thorn in the side of other EU nations and last month blocked a €90bn loan to Ukraine.