TV favourite Matt Baker has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster he experiences on his Channel 4 show 'Our Dream Farm', as he bids a heartfelt goodbye to participants. The show, which has returned for its second series, is a passion project for the Countryfile presenter, who also serves as an executive producer.
The programme throws seven hopefuls – three individuals and four couples – into the challenge of competing for a 15-year tenancy on a sprawling 600-acre National Trust farm in Eryri, North Wales. With the stakes high, Matt confessed that the departure of contestants hits hard due to the strong bonds formed, describing the atmosphere as one with 'incredible camaraderie'.
In a chat with TV Times, Matt shared: "It really is tough (to lose applicants as they are whittled down). We live in cottages on the farm during filming and do become close."
The 47 year old presenter, who grew up on a farm himself, finds the process particularly poignant, saying: "We're working on the farm as we go, so we might be filming one minute and then someone will walk off to deliver a lamb! It's the magic of farming.
"I've grown up in that life and love it - as do the applicants, so it's emotional if their time is up," reports Wales Online.
'Our Dream Farm' aims to illustrate the gritty reality of farm life, capitalising on the country's burgeoning interest in agriculture.
Matt praised the diverse group of contestants vying for the coveted position, ranging from a builder to a chicken farmer to a farm-enthusiastic teenager, noting that their commitment to potentially spending the next 15 years managing the farm makes them 'real'.
Applicants are given the chance to pitch their business plans, share their vision for the farm, and get hands-on with everyday farming tasks and experiences on the estate.
Matt remarked: "This isn't a competition where you win a trophy - this is a life change. To be offering that opportunity is incredible. It's not a job, it's a lifestyle, and viewers are fascinated by the passion that applicants have to embrace it. Our Dream Farm shone a light on that and shows how unbelievably hard work farming is."
Previously in the series, Matt admitted finding it difficult to remain on the sidelines during the shoot of his new rural affair, despite usually being more involved in Countryfile.
Speaking to BBC Essex, Matt revealed the challenge he faced in stepping back: "It's hard not to get involved but it's their selection process, I'm not taking on the tenancy, so it was hard for me to step back.
"I joined in when I needed to. Sometimes I was lambing at two in the morning. It was great and I love it, I'm really proud of it."
You can catch the latest episode of Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker tonight (Saturday, April 26) at 6pm on Channel 4.
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