Matt Baker announced some “heartbreaking” news just minutes into Sunday’s episode of Countryfile.
This autumn, Countryfile hosts Matt Baker, Anita Rani, Sean Fletcher, and John Craven laced up their walking boots once again to meet some inspiring young people whose lives have been positively impacted by BBC Children in Need.
Together, they met some incredible young people whose lives have been positively impacted by BBC Children in Need.
As they explored the stunning location around the border of Shropshire and Staffordshire, the young people shared their inspirational stories, while tackling their ramble challenges and being cheered on by some of their celebrity heroes.
At the beginning of the programme, Matt was joined by 10-year-old Alyssa and her dad, Phillip, for the walk, but during their introduction, the TV presenter announced that Alyssa’s mum had died the previous year after being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.
Matt began, “Just over a year ago, Alyssa lost her mum, Christine, to cancer.” Before continuing, it cut to a clip of Alyssa speaking about her mum, she said, “She was a very fun, energetic person. She was very kind, and she could always make me happy when I was upset about something.”
Matt went on, “In 2023, Christine fell ill on holiday and was taken to the hospital.
“Christine was eventually diagnosed with bile duct cancer, and despite treatment, the family was told the heartbreaking news that it was incurable.”
Sharing the devastating moment they found out, Phillip explained, “We were in a room, three of us and a doctor came in, and she said, ‘You know, can your daughter leave and go with the nurse?’ Then we thought, ‘Oh, something’s not good. ‘ And the doctor then told us, we think you got liver cancer.
“It was just total shock. Totally shocked. Christine was 48, too young to die.”
Speaking ahead of the episode and why it was so important for people to get involved, Matt said, “Everyone deserves the best possible start in life, and that’s fundamentally what BBC Children in Need strives to achieve.
“There’s a tangible sense of community around BBC Children in Need, an energy at this time of year where everyone comes together.
“Collectively, the money is raised not through individual large donations, but through many people contributing a little, which together makes a massive difference in supporting those in our community.”
Countryfile is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
