Matthew Kelly has confessed he is shit with money and is forced to keep working after blowing all the profits from his TV heyday.
The iconic broadcaster and actor, 74, presented some of ITV’s biggest shows throughout the ’90s, including talent series Stars In Their Eyes between 1993 and 2004 and game shows You Bet and Game For To Laugh.
speaking in Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time Matthew admitted that he wished he had saved some money for his old age and spoken openly about his drinking.
Saying, ‘Well, you see, luckily baby Jesus made me rubbish with money, so I have to keep working, which is very good for me. I need to get out of the house!’
When presenter Kate pointed out his ‘refreshing take’ on money, Matthew replied: ‘Well, I’m not really happy about it, actually. You know, I’m shit at it, that’s all. You know, I’d love to have a little reserve.
Matthew Kelly, 74, has confessed he is shit with money and is forced to keep working after blowing all the profits from his TV heyday (pictured last month).
The broadcaster and actor presented some of ITV’s biggest shows throughout the ’90s, including talent series Stars In Their Eyes between 1993 and 2004 (pictured in 1994).
He said, ‘Well, you see, luckily baby Jesus made me rubbish with money, so I have to keep working, which is very good for me. I need to get out of the house!’
He later compared Matthew to Ant and Dec of his time and asked him what happened to his fortune or if 90s TV didn’t pay as much as people assumed.
He said, ‘Well, there was money, but it’s gone. Well, actually, you know what? I read in an article how much I was supposed to get per episode.
And I thought, “Oh, if only!” You know. And you read it. But they actually paid me very well. So it’s not like you can say, “Excuse me, I think you’ll find out that I only get paid a fraction of that!” but even the fraction you know was pretty good.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Matthew talked about his drinking past and how he was so often seen with a glass in his hand. His co-stars nicknamed him ‘Muriel Malbec’.
He also revealed that it was Loose Women’s Denise Welch who finally inspired him to quit drinking, when they starred in a production of The Gap at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theater earlier this year.
Denise, 65, has been candid about her own battles with alcohol and has been sober for 12 years.
Matthew shared: ‘I thought she (Denise) is a big inspiration, as you know. And one of the first things it tells you is how long it has been dry. And I thought, “What? This is wonderful.” I thought “this is an ideal opportunity.”
I’ve been with this woman for three months and, as you know, I like drunkenness. I thought I would use this for three months. And well, there wasn’t a night that they didn’t get me completely drunk at the bar afterwards.”
When presenter Kate pointed out his ‘refreshing take’ on money, Matthew replied: ‘Well, I’m not really happy about it, actually. You know, I’m shit at it, that’s all. You know, I would love for you to let me have some.
Elsewhere in the interview, Matthew talked about his drinking past and how he was so often seen with a glass in his hand. His co-stars nicknamed him ‘Muriel Malbec’ (pictured in 2009).
He also revealed that it was Loose Women’s Denise Welch who finally inspired him to quit drinking, when they starred in a production of The Gap at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theater earlier this year.
He continued: ‘But after that show, I thought I was sitting with a friend and I thought, you know what? I really have to stop drinking. I said, “I’m going to stop drinking.” And he said “you know what? I want to stop.” So I did it.’
‘About ten weeks later, I called him and said, “How are you doing?” He said, “Well, you know, I never really stopped being honest with you.” I said ‘”oh, that’s absolutely fine.”‘
‘So for me it’s been over six months. On the other hand, the company I was in before called me Muriel Malbec. So I thought it was time for a change!’
Last year, Denise celebrated 11 years of sobriety and took to social media to reflect on her decision to quit alcohol as she marked the milestone.
She admitted her “disastrous” relationship with drink affected her relationship with husband Lincoln Townley and the lives of her sons Louis, 23, and Matty, 35, whom she shares with ex Tim Healy.
The Coronation Street actress went on to share that while getting sober “wasn’t easy”, it changed her life and the lives of her loved ones.
Last year, Denise celebrated 11 years of sobriety and took to social media to reflect on her decision to quit alcohol as she marked the milestone.
The Coronation Street actress shared that although getting sober “wasn’t easy”, it changed her life and the lives of her loved ones.
She admitted her “disastrous” relationship with alcohol affected the lives of her sons Louis, 23, and Matty, 35, (both pictured in May 2015), whom she shares with ex Tim Healy.
In a moving text, she wrote: 11 years sober today!!! Giving up my disastrous relationship with alcohol changed my life, my husband’s life, and my children’s life. Plus the lives of everyone who loves me.
‘It wasn’t easy. Addiction is a cruel and terrifying disease. But together @lincolntownley and I realized we were destroying many lives, including our own, and we did it.
‘Now I have a wonderful marriage that is the basis of my life. Our children are happy and I hope those of you who struggle find the strength to stop.
‘If alcohol no longer makes you happy, if your drinking makes the lives of others miserable, it’s time to stop. You will find help there if you need it.’
Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.
