Countryfile and former One Show presenter Matt Baker has spoken publicly about losing his family dog, Bob, describing grief that sits alongside a lifetime built around animals.
Quick Answer
Matt Baker announced the death of his border collie, Bob, in an emotional Instagram post, writing that he had been unable to talk about the loss because it had been “so incredibly sad.” Baker connected the loss to his life on a Chiltern Hills smallholding, where he and his family, including wife Nicola Mooney, still keep other animals, and to his new podcast, Petcast, which explores the role pets play in people’s lives.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Baker shared the loss of his dog Bob in a personal Instagram post, describing him as “a brilliant dog.”
- Baker said he has had more than 20 dogs in his life, starting with a dog named Cromwell.
- He now lives on a smallholding in the Chiltern Hills with his current dogs, Ted and Ivy, plus sheep and chickens.
- The loss follows Baker’s earlier public tribute to another family dog, Isla, in 2025.
- Fellow broadcasters including Ben Fogle and Gabby Logan shared messages of support.
What Matt Baker Said
In his post, Baker shared a slideshow of photos of Bob from puppyhood onward, writing: “It’s with a very heavy heart that I’m letting you know our wonderful Bob is no longer with us. He’s been gone a while but I haven’t been able to talk about it as I’ve been finding it so incredibly sad.” He described Bob as a companion through major chapters of his life, including raising his children and changes to the family’s farm.
Baker’s wife, Nicola Mooney, added her own tribute in the comments, writing, “What a dog. We miss him so much.”
A Life Built Around Dogs
Baker has spoken often about how central dogs have been to his life. He has said he’s had more than 20 dogs since his childhood dog, Cromwell, and that moving to London at one point marked the first time in his life he’d been without a dog in the house. He now lives on a smallholding in the Chiltern Hills with his wife and their current animals, including a young border collie named Ted and a miniature dachshund named Ivy, alongside sheep and chickens.
The loss of Bob comes roughly a year after Baker publicly mourned another family dog, a cairn terrier named Isla, who died at 13. That post also drew a wave of support from fellow broadcasters and fans.
Connection to Petcast
Baker has linked his reflections on losing Bob to his newer project, Petcast, a podcast exploring the role animals play in people’s lives and homes. Baker’s public, animal-centered career, from Countryfile to Our Dream Farm, has long made pets and rural life a visible part of his public identity.
FAQ
Who is Matt Baker?
Matt Baker is a British television presenter best known for Blue Peter, The One Show, and BBC’s Countryfile, as well as shows about his life on a farm in the Chiltern Hills.
What breed was Bob?
Bob was a border collie, a breed Baker has kept throughout much of his life.
Has Matt Baker lost other pets publicly?
Yes. In 2025, Baker publicly announced the death of his cairn terrier, Isla, at age 13.
Sources
- Hello Magazine — Matt Baker announces ‘incredibly sad’ family loss
- AOL — Matt Baker ‘heartbroken’ over the death of his much-loved pet
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