Matthew Wright's journey began at a Catholic school, where he struggled with sports, leading his mother to encourage him to join the Croydon Youth Theatre. This marked the start of his deep passion for the arts. His love for Hawkwind was ignited when a school friend introduced him to their 1977 compilation album "Masters of the Universe". At the tender age of 14, Wright made his acting debut in the Children's Film Foundation productions "Big Wheels" and "Sailor" (1979).
Wright's academic pursuits took him to the University of Exeter, where he studied English and Drama. As a student, he was actively involved in left-wing politics, participating in campaigns against nuclear weapons, apartheid in South Africa, and serving Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1984, Wright attended the Stonehenge Free Festival, a life-changing experience that allowed him to witness his favorite bands, Hawkwind and Here and Now.
After graduating with a drama degree, Wright's initial goal was to work in television, but he struggled to find a job and eventually transitioned to a career in journalism. Wright gained fame on the Bizarre page of The Sun, a UK tabloid, and later secured a showbusiness column in The Daily Mirror. Notably, he wrote a scathing review of a play starring David Soul, which he had not actually seen, resulting in a successful libel action against Soul.
In 2000, Wright was chosen to host a series on Channel 5, "The Wright Stuff", which featured newspaper reviews and topical discussions. The show became a long-running success for the channel, and Wright established himself as a popular yet controversial figure. However, in 2002, he faced controversy when he mistakenly named John Leslie on air as the man linked to the alleged rape of Ulrika Jonsson.
Wright's career took a hit in 2011, with "The Wright Stuff" receiving the most Ofcom complaints of the year due to a joke he made about a murdered Scottish teenager. He also sparked a Twitter storm by asking viewers if they would have sex with Amanda Knox, the American student who had been acquitted of murder. Despite these controversies, Wright remains a vocal advocate for left-leaning politics, often using his platform to criticize corporate tax avoidance and advocate for socialist redistribution of wealth through the tax system. He is also a strong supporter of political correctness on issues such as race, feminism, and gay rights.
