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Matt Baker's health condition that destroyed his gymnastics career

Matt Baker has been covering the World Gymnastics Championships for the BBC, but few fans know the Countryfile presenter was once a competitive gymnast.

Matt Baker with his wife Nicola and parents (Image: CHANNEL4)

Presenter Matt Baker has opened up about how his childhood dream of becoming an Olympic gymnast was crushed following a devastating health diagnosis. The presenter and farming personality is back with his family in Our Barn in the Dales, but he has also appeared on the BBC as the principal commentator at the World Gymnastics Championships, and has established himself as a familiar voice at the Olympic Games, European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Gymnastics has remained dear to him since his childhood and he previously aspired to compete for Great Britain at the Olympics.

Sadly, his aspirations were crushed following a medical condition that compelled him to abandon his goal of becoming a competitive gymnast. Starting training at five years old, he went on to secure a North of England championship as well as a perfect 10 from the British Amateur Gymnastics Association.

BBC's Matt Baker at the Olympic gymnastics (Image: BBC)

His ambition fell apart when he was diagnosed with anaemia at the age of 13. Anaemia, which indicates insufficient levels of healthy red blood cells, produces symptoms including severe fatigue, weakness and breathlessness, reports the Mirror.

The condition meant he was no longer able to train at such intensity, leading him to make the difficult choice to withdraw from the sport. Speaking to Wiltshire Farm Foods about the decision, Baker previously said: "It meant I just couldn't train to the level that was needed, so I made the heartbreaking decision to stop."

He previously told The Telegraph the diagnosis had left him "really upset", adding: "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.

"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."

Matt Baker is pleased to still be involved in gymnastics (Image: BBC)

During the recent coverage of the Gymnastics World Championships, Matt announced that his fellow commentators, Christine Still and Craig Heap, would be departing the team, delivering a heartfelt tribute, saying: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but this could be the last time that we all sit together and enjoy the gymnastics.

"Christine, we have worked together for 20 years. You've been like a mum to me, you really have, as we've travelled all over the world together. And may I say, I've loved every single second."

Matt then addressed Craig, saying: "We've been friends for many, many years. I've loved your company, mate. Honestly, I'm so gonna miss you both, I really am." BBC audiences were left feeling emotional after watching Matt's tribute, saying the commentary would never be the same again.

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