±«Óãtv

±«Óãtv One has confirmed that Matt Baker will be joining The One Show team to co-host the popular 7pm show with regular host Alex Jones.

Matt says: "I'm over the moon to be joining The One Show as a full-time presenter. The ±«Óãtv has made everything possible so I can also continue presenting Countryfile. It's the ideal combination for me and I can't wait to get started."

Seven and a half years on Blue Peter established Matt Baker as one of the best-loved and most versatile presenters in the show's history, winning him two BAFTA awards for Best Children's presenter and a Royal Television Society award.

Matt is more recently known as the face of the ±«Óãtv's top rating Sunday night shows Countryfile and Secret Britain and is already a regular co-host of The One Show. Matt is also the runner-up of Strictly Come Dancing 2010.

±«Óãtv One Controller, Danny Cohen, adds: "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."

Alex adds: "I'm so pleased to be welcoming Matt to The One Show as a permanent fixture. We have hosted the show together many times before, he's fantastic to work with and the perfect choice for The One Show."

Matt and Alex will host The One Show every Monday to Thursday from 14 February and Chris Evans will continue to host every Friday alongside Alex Jones on ±«Óãtv One.

The hugely successful show - which regularly attracts audiences over five million viewers is also being simulcast on ±«Óãtv One HD. It will continue to offer the regular mix of news, current affairs and entertainment alongside some new features and guest slots that will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Notes to editors

The One Show, which achieved its highest ever ratings in 2010 (7.4 million) and regularly attracts audiences over five million, has established itself as essential early evening viewing - combining celebrity guests with topical reports from every corner of the UK.

The One Show first piloted in August 2006. It has played five nights a week since 9 July 2007, transmitting 250 shows per year with big name guests including Sir Elton John, Sir Michael Caine, Bette Midler, Dame Helen Mirren, Liza Minnelli, Will Smith and Dolly Parton.

The One Show presenters are supported by a team of regular reporters including Dan Snow, Dominic Littlewood, Michael Mosley, Phil Tufnell, Angellica Bell, John Sergeant, Ellie Harrison, Anita Rani, Matt Allwright, Gyles Brandreth, Dr Sarah Jarvis, Arthur Smith, Simon Boazman, Jay Rayner and Lucy Siegle.

The One Show is also being simulcast on ±«Óãtv One HD on Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

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