Matt Allwright, the familiar face of BBC's Watchdog and Rogue Traders, has a life off-screen that contrasts sharply with his on-screen persona. The presenter, who also hosts a daily show on Channel 5, has revealed details about his low-key wedding, his passion for music, and his efforts to shield his family from public attention.
Marriage at Gretna Green
In 2016, Allwright opened up about his marriage in an interview with the Sunday Post. He and his wife tied the knot at Gretna Green, a popular wedding destination in Scotland, and spent their honeymoon in Glasgow. Reflecting on the experience, he said: 'My wife and I got married in Gretna and honeymooned in Glasgow. Looking back, we could have gone to islands like Skye or Arran. But I was so pleased we did it at Gretna because the people were so lovely. The photographer and the receptionist were our witnesses.' He added: 'As for our honeymoon destination, I wouldn’t have changed Glasgow for the world. We stayed in a place near the Botanic Gardens and everything about our stay was magical. We went to some lovely restaurants and had some great nights out.'
Family Life and Protecting His Children
Allwright and his wife have two children, but he keeps them out of the public eye. He explained his approach to parenting in the same interview: 'I’ve always found that when they’re old enough to ask, they’re old enough to know. Also, that vegetable double bluff thing where you say, "Whatever you do, don’t eat those carrots!" stops working after the age of six.' He also discussed why he doesn't share photos of his children on social media, telling the Belfast Telegraph: 'I do whatever I can to protect my family. That's the most important thing. Also, I think once you put them out there, you can't ask for them back, especially now because everything's online. The kids didn't ask to be born into a family with a dad that goes and confronts people, so I'm never going to assume that they are happy to be part of that.'
Hidden Musical Talent
Beyond his television career, Allwright is a keen musician. On his website, he wrote: 'I have been making music of one sort or another since I was tiny. I’ve been recording and performing live on my pedal steel guitar since 2017. Not long, really. Pedal Steel is the world’s most difficult instrument, and I play it with Band of Hope and others. I’ll do it for you if you like.' He added: 'Davie McGirr came up with the idea of playing and touring for Alzheimer’s Research. With him and a couple of friends we formed The Walnuts. We’ve performed across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. We get about.' In addition to music, Allwright stays active by kayaking, cycling, and playing tennis. Matt Allwright is on Channel 5 daily at 12.50pm.
