Matt Allwright is a television presenter and journalist with integrity and his own distinctive style. His trademark programme, Rogue Traders, mixes journalism with humour in a way that makes you feel like you’re going along for the ride.

Matt’s been a mainstay of the TV schedules for well over a decade, thanks to solid credentials and hard work. After qualifying as a broadcast journalist, he started out as a presenter and producer in BBC newsrooms. In 1997 the call came from BBC1’s flagship consumer programmes Watchdog and Weekend Watchdog. He stayed there for 4 years, working his way up from presenting weekly outside broadcasts to anchoring Weekend Watchdog live in studio when Anne Robinson finally decided to hang up her stiletto boots.

In 2001 came the perfect match of programme to presenter – BBC1’s Rogue Traders. Matt made the format his own, injecting his own brand of humour into his scripts and displaying true grit in the confrontations which end the show.

Matt’s efforts have resulted in a number of other prime-time opportunities, making him a true face of BBC1. In 2003 Scambusters took the Rogue Traders idea overseas to turn the tables on con artists who target Brits. Brassed Off Britain campaigned for better service for British customers, culminating in a live studio debate with the captains of 10 national industries. In 2004 Fat Nation, a major BBC1 campaign, took the fight for healthier living into the front rooms and fridges of the UK, as it took over an entire street in Birmingham for 9 weeks. He also found time to become Celebrity Mastermind champion of 2004, answering questions on the films of the Coen Brothers.

2005 saw the 4th series of Rogue Traders continue to scale new heights in audience figures and critical acclaim as it was regularly the nation’s highest rated factual programme. Matt’s transformation into Roger, a 75 year old Welshman made it one of the TV moments of the year. Make-up has played a part in every series since, giving Matt the element of surprise in a number of situations. Rogue Traders has just completed its seventh series, proving once again the country’s favourite factual watch. More are anticipated. Rogue Restaurants (2008) took the Rogue brand into kitchens and dining rooms, with huge audiences and critical acclaim.

Other BBC1 projects have included the Attenborough-fronted Climate Change: Britain in Peril (2007), Britain Underwater (2008) Just the Two of Us (2007), Food Poker (2007), Homes Live (2007) and Christmas on the Frontline (2008) for which Matt travelled to meet the forces in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. He continues to report on current affairs for The One Show.

Matt is currently presenting the major re-launch of Watchdog, which reunites him with his old sparring partner Anne Robinson.  The show, which airs from September 2009, features Matt and Dan in Rogue Traders stories throughout the new-look BBC1 hour.

Matt lives with his missus and two children, who let him write crime fiction in his spare time. When his knee will let him, he runs and plays tennis and football. He also rides motorbikes, plays keyboards and guitars and sings with whichever band will have him. He supports Liverpool Football Club. Of course.

Matt Allwright is a patron of SANDS – the Stillborn and Neonatal Death charity.
www.uk-sands.org

Matt is also a supporter of the Dorset based Grace Secondary School Appeal bringing education and healthcare to the remote Nuba Mountains of the Sudan.
www.GraceSecondarySchool.com