Last week, Mof interviewed arch satirist and top media man Charlie Brooker. You can’t get more on the pulse than that. This week it’s ex-Blue Peter man Matt Baker, who isn’t known for his rapier satire and media commentary. I chatted to Matt a few weeks ago because he’s part of the new presenting team on Countryfile – the stalwart farming magazine programme that’s moving to a new, primetime slot this weekend. I realise this isn’t rock n’ roll or hip or trendy, andCountryfile is the anti-Wire, but it is important for many around the country. The countryside may conjure images of ruddy-faced men chewing straw, wearing too-tight woollen tank tops and drinking toxic homemade cider from demijohns, but the countryside is a marvellous place. Or at least it can be. Read the words that came out of Matt Baker’s mouth after the jump…

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TV Scoop: I really love Countryfile. What’s wrong with me? It’s not a rock n’ roll show…
Matt Baker: No, no it’s not.

TVS: There won’t be any of the daredevil stuff you did on Blue Peter. No extreme tractor driving or anything like that…
MB: Well, you say that… [laughs] You know, Britain has its roots in countryside. For those people that live in towns that watch Countryfile and who escape to the country for the hour that it’s on, it’s nice to know what’s going on in rural Britain. I think for folk who do live in the countryside, it’s good for them to be represented. It works for everyone.

TVS: Yeah, the key word there is represent. And that’s what the BBC do quite well… they represent sections of the community that don’t ordinarily get a voice. Do you think the rural community has, over the years, become ghettoised?
MB: Yeah. It says a lot that the BBC is commiting a lot to this – a half six evening slot. What also is very interesting is that ITV has also launched a countryside programme. It just goes to show the commitment to countryside programming, which is fantastic stuff. Also, over the last ten or so years there really has been a push for a certain kind of television and you can only take so much of it until you really want to get back to the roots of good programming, which is exactly what Countryfile offers. It’s a gentle programme and it’s not hard hitting and in-your-face. It’s just a really nice programme to watch/

TVS: Absolutely. I’ve enjoyed it on a Sunday morning, sometimes with a hangover admittedly, and my dad watches it too because he’s from farming stock and retains an interest in it all. But now it’s being rebranded as a primetime show, right?
MB: Well, I don’t know if rebranding is the right term for it, because, in essence, it’s going to be exactly the same programme. With the new slot the hope is that we’ll appeal to a much wider audience, and at 11am in the morning is not really family viewing time. To be honest, those people who enjoy getting out and about in the country are probably out and about at 11 in the morning. It works really well for those folk who come back at teatime with a big roast, and sit down and get to see the heart of Britain. Obviously with my background of getting stuck into things, that’s what I’m hoping to bring to the programme. I’m looking forward to being hands-on with news stories.

TVS: You’ve obviously done all sorts of stuff – some dancing in your youth – and then became Mr Action on Blue Peter (Peter Duncan for the 21st century), so you’re hoping to retain some of that approach in Countryfile?
MB: very much so. I just love having a go at stuff, at whatever level. If we can bring that to the programme it’ll have an entertainment factor on a different level for people who maybe aren’t into the usual rural issues. There’s lots of different levels it can work on, but we’ve got to appeal to people like your dad who enjoy watching it, for you and for a younger audience too. The group of presenters we’ve got work really well. To be honest with you, we’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed and hope it works. But I’m sure it will. It’s there for a reason – so many programmes you watch and you ask yourself, “why am I watching this?!” Countryfile is an absolute classic, it has been going for 20 years and the reason it has been going for 20 years is because it’s good and has good morals.

TVS: I’ve been reading up on you Matt and you grew up on a sheep farm, right?
MB: Yes, that’s right. I still go up to Durham as often as possible… for a kid it’s a great life, and I’m still passionate about that environment. I’ve got lots of friends and family. My brother has a farm too, so it’s still in the family.

TVS: So the Countryfile gig must have been a good fit for you…
MB: It’s lovely to be part of a programme where you understand it and understand where it’s coming from. When I did Blue Peter it was all about doing something new, and that was the magic of that programme. As I’m getting a bit older and settling into my broadcasting career, it’s a really nice thing to be involved in. John Craven’s done it for 20 years, so who know how long I’ll be doing it for?

TVS: Let’s talk about the Craven. I grew up with him – not literally, that would be weird – and I always felt he was a very nice man. Is he as nice as he seems?
MB: He’s a lovely guy and has been very supportive of me. In the past when you join the CBeebies world it has always been very difficult to leave it, but John with his connections with Newsround, knew what it was like. I’d always bump into him at events, and right from the very beginning he’s been great. Like you I grew up with him on Newsround, and there was this weird moment when I thought to myself: “I can’t believe I’m working with John Craven.” He’s a great broadcaster and is still very much the heart of the programme.

TVS: So Countryfile has a new slot. What are your hopes for it?
MB: It was the same when I joined Blue Peter. It’s something that’s very close to my heart and it’s something where you meet people who you realise that are very much into what they’re doing. I’d really like for folk to sit down and watch down, and we’ll get stuck into things. If everybody can see the countryside for what it is, everybody can be proud of the countryside, understand it. I think a lot of people are daunted by what goes on in the countryside. There are lots of urban folk who have a very fast-paced life don’t really understand what goes on and don’t associate themselves with it. But if we can communicate what harvest is all about or what implements are on a tractor for instance, they might want to go out there and have a look. It’s not just from the farming point of view – if folk take a step back from their very fast-paced lives and look at the wildlife around and feel proud of where we live, they might want to take an active role in it. When you think about it there are so many green spaces next to urban spaces, folk can walk out and see the bird life and feel part of it, and enjoy living for living’s sake. It’s important to take a step back sometimes. You only have to look