The One Show’s Matt Baker breaks down in tears as he quits hosting job after nine years

Matt Baker has quit The One Show after nine years as its host.

The long-time presenter has been working on the evening chat show for nearly a decade, but has announced that he will be moving on in spring of next year.

Speaking to the show’s viewers on last night’s episode, the dad-of-two, who said that he’s looking forward to ‘putting his kids to bed’ after usually spending weekday evenings hosting, tearfully thanked both fans of the show and his regular co-host Alex Jones, who is currently on maternity leave.

Making the emotional announcement alongside co-host Angelica Bell, who is covering for Alex, Matt said, "At this time of year, I like to take stock and reflect. The One Show has been a massive part of my life for almost a decade now and I have loved every second of being a part of it. But I am going to be leaving this green sofa in the spring.

"It's time to give someone else the opportunity to see how big hearted you, our One Show viewers, really are,” he continued.

Thanking the show’s loyal fans, Matt emotionally said, "you will never really understand how much that means to me,” adding, "and so, I'd like to thank you, and I'd like to pay a huge tribute to those who have written in over the last nine years.”

He then went on to mention those he has worked with during his time on the show, saying, "Of course, I'd like to thank Alex, who I've shared the sofa with all these years. And the teams of people who work on this show all around the UK.

"The ones you don't get to see, the researchers, the producers, the studio crew, everyone who makes this show feel like a massive, massive family.

"I'm going to miss you all and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

Although the presenter is departing from The One Show, he released a statement to assure fans that this does not mean that he’s leaving the BBC, saying that he’ll be continuing work with BBC Sport and Countryfile and is ‘excited about other opportunities that come my way’.

However, he sweetly added, ‘most of all I'm looking forward to having dinner with my family and being able to put my kids to bed.’

‘I've loved that The One Show has been a big part of my life for the last nine years,’ said Matt in his statement.

‘It's been brilliant to showcase the eclectic mix of Britain, meet incredible people along the way and witness so many lives changed with the annual Rickshaw Challenge for Children in Need.

‘I'd like to thank all those I've worked with over the years and especially you the viewer for showing me so much support during my time on the green sofa.’