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Countryfile's Matt Baker's mum breaks down over farm's future 'can't do this anymore'
Reach Daily Express | March 18, 2026 9:41 PM CST

Matt Baker's mum, Janice, broke down in tears after she suffered from an accident on the farm. In a repeat episode from the series, which aired on Monday, Janice became tearful as they discussed the future of the farm.

Matt, joined by his wife and children, sat down with Janice and his dad, Michael, to discuss potential solutions for preserving the farm. Both Janice and Michael voiced their worries about their cherished farm, which they purchased before Matt was even born.

Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales is a series that initially aired on Channel 4 in 2021. It shadowed the Countryfile host as he delved into the workings of his family's secluded, 100-acre sheep farm nestled in the Durham hills.

Since leaving The One Show in 2020, Matt has been keeping busy, moving back to assist his parents after his mum was bowled over by a flock of sheep, along with his wife, Nicola, and their children, Luke and Molly.

"I think it's fair to say that we're at a point where we need to change things up a little bit," Matt initiated. "If you want to keep farming."

Reflecting on her accident, Janice responded: "Having my accident has really been quite an eye-opener I think for everybody."

Michael interjected: "I've had a fear of this happening for years. If this happened in any respect, it could be the end of farming for us."

"I've always had a young outlook on life," Janice continued. "And pride myself on being fit and healthy, and then something like this happens, and we begin to feel 'Oh, right, I'm a bit vulnerable."

She continued: "It does make you reassess and make you think 'Okay, where are we going to go from here?'"

The Countryfile presenter suggested to his parents that one potential solution to rescue the farm might be to alter their sheep flock.

Focusing on the sheep, Matt proposed replacing the breed they have reared there for many years. He advised: "The Hampshire Downs that we have bred here for years are big sheep. They are on the large end of the scale as far as sheep are concerned.

"I think, now at the stage that you're in and what has happened, and this will be hard to hear, as you've put so much effort into the flock that we've got."

"I just don't think that they are the way forward for you now," Matt added. Janice was quick to agree with her son as she pointed out, "I agree they aren't the easiest to handle."

Matt asked: "Would you consider swapping over from Hampshires to a breed or a different breed more suited to where we are here?"

"Yes, yes, I would," Janice simply replied.

To begin the process, Matt recommended that his parents start with a smaller breed so they could determine which breed would suit the farm best. However, when faced with parting ways with the sheep and selecting her new flock, Janice became emotional as she found it difficult to accept the changes necessary to save the farm."

"It's quite a strange feeling really, sitting here doing this in the sunshine," Janice admitted.

The star was visibly moved as she went on: "It's the first time I've actually had to make a decision because of what's happened. "It's the right decision.

"I know it's the right decision and you reach a time in your life when you think 'I really can't do this anymore'. In that respect, it's sad, but in a good way, a fork in the road might mean good things will come from it in a different way."

Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales is available to watch on More4.


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