The Yorkshire Vet star Matt Jackson-Smith has shared how his now-wife Katherine almost cancelled their first date

Matt, 36, who is best known for his appearance on the hit Channel 5 show, married wife Katherine in 2022 (Image: Instagram)

Yorkshire Vet star Matt Jackson-Smith has revealed details about his first date with wife Katherine, which she nearly called off.

Matt, 36, who rose to fame on the popular Channel 5 programme, wed Katherine in 2022, with the ceremony featured on the series. In 2023, the pair welcomed their first child, a daughter named Anastasia Maria Jackson-Smith, who is now two.

Yet, the couple’s fairy-tale ending might never have happened if it weren’t for Katherine’s dog, Harry, who acted as matchmaker when ‘fate intervened’.

Matt recounted how the family dog, Harry, proved crucial in uniting him with wife Katherine, as he shared a video illustrating how dogs express affection towards their owners.

The duo, who connected on dating app Bumble, enjoyed their first date at a pub with Katherine, 37, accompanied by her Cavapoo dog Harry, now seven. Nevertheless, this meeting almost fell through…

The Yorkshire Vet star, Matt Jackson-Smith, has revealed how ‘fate intervened’ ahead of his first date with his now wife (Image: Instagram)

Matt explained: “On the day Katherine was feeling a bit under the weather and was going to cancel but fate intervened as Harry had diarrhoea and she wanted me to take a look at him.

“‘I think Harry’s bum smells funny, can you have a check please?’ It must have been one of the strangest first date ice-breakers ever muttered.

“Harry was a young lively Cavapoo and was gracious enough to let me do a quick inspection in the pub and assured Katherine he was fine, he had probably eaten something that didn’t agree with him.”

In 2023, the couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter called Anastasia Maria Jackson-Smith (Image: Instagram)

Reflecting on their initial meeting, he continued: “Who knows how different things might have been if Harry hadn’t needed to see a vet so he’s a big part of our story and now loved by both of us.”

Matt, who serves as an ambassador for Butcher’s nourishing food for dogs, is due to make a comeback on television screens imminently with the new series of The Yorkshire Vet, premiering on 24 February at 8pm.

Ahead of the show’s return, Matt highlighted the numerous ways in which dogs demonstrate their affection for us. He explained: “When your dog lean and lays on you that’s their version of a cuddle, total trust. They follow you everywhere.

“With soft eye contact you can see the love and they’re one of the only animals that can track your gaze and where you’re looking.

“Another way they show their love is by bringing owners presents, including toys and socks, it’s their way of saying, ‘I thought of you.’ If their whole body wags when you get home that’s unconditional love.”

Matt concluded: “We love them with all our hearts and Butcher’s has developed the healthy heart range to help us look after theirs.”