The Matt Lewis Page

 

Matthew James Butler was born 3rd October 1974 in Sutton Coldfield

As the youngest of 6 Matt was always going to have to do something different to get noticed….So at the age of 4 his Mom*Pauline* noticed that he had a rare and unashamed talent….. Matthew would sing his favourite song of the time….Art Garfunkels 'BRIGHT EYES'.

Pauline was a massive fan of Chris Tarrant and the Saturday morning show TISWAS and when they announced they were to have auditions for, ahem talented children, she then took the opportunity to get Matthew on the TV.

Pauline worked hard on creating a grey rabbit suit for young Matthew and polished up his singing talents.Out of the blue an offer of an audition in Birmingham came and the chance for Matt to show a small audience his talents.

On arrival they were to be disappointed as most of the children were from local stage schools looking for there big break. Act after act went on until it was Matt's turn. At the last second Pauline drew on some whiskers with her mascara which seemed to add to the comic effect.

Matt stood on the stage in front of the one and only CT. He was like a Simon Cowell of the day and would either give it a Yes or No. Well, No one had prepared themselves for the act that was about to be unleashed. Matt's version of 'Bright eye's had CT and the rest of the viewing public rolling in the aisles.

Matt had just found his audience!!

ATV sent Matt a telegram within days asking him to come to the hallowed ATV studios and record Bright Eyes for the next weeks show.

Pauline and Matt went to Birmingham and Matt performed his song. Pauline had not been too sure about TV and could not see a microphone, so she told Matt to shout it a bit louder than usual. If you have seen the clip then you will know that this gave it the final touch!!!

It aired in January 1980 and at the end of the show TISWAS was inundated with requests to see more! Matt was rushed back to the studios that week to record a follow up track which was Pink Floyds 'Another Brick in the Wall' dressed as some kind of hippy punk. Matt belted out this classic armed with a real hammer and was loving it.

Matt was now receiving fan mail and was asked back each week just to sit behind the desk.Bright eyes was the most popular track and was repeated several times over the series.

Pauline made many props for the show which included Escapo Sack, The Black Spider, The Green Hand and rabbit suits for all the cast!! These were used on several shows including when Chas n Dave visited to do Rabbit Rabbit. During this CT bounded on the screen with Matt on his shoulders……Rabbit rabbit rabbit!!!

Matt toured with the TISWAS team and performed his classic at Coventry theatre. This brought the house down and Matt was offered to make a record by CBS records and this was intended to be part of The Four Bucketeers album, which it was!

Matt went down to London and recorded Bright Eyes, choosing to sing in his suit. The song was produced by Neil Innes and Matt soon had to go and promote it.Record signings with JR from Dallas, interviews with Michael Aspel on Capital, competitions to meet him in the Sun newspaper and even a review in the NME were all part of the fun!

But family life was not so much fun as his parents were going through rocky times which led to arguments amongst his management and parents. Matt's single, although predicted to hit top spot was poorly promoted and never punctured the top 100….A flop!! But still a great memory……

That was the height of TISWAS and after a Matthew Butler THIS IS YOUR LIFE spoof episode things began to slow down. CT left and so did Matt, the chance of drama school in London was turned down and then things just faded away. But TISWAS has left its mark on me and I will never forget the fun.

It would be a long time in the showbiz wilderness for Matt, his parents divorced and Matt and his family struggled to make ends meet. Still they always had a blissfully happy time.

It would be around 1988 when any mention of Matt would grace our screens. A weekly morning show called OPEN AIR was doing a feature on TISWAS and one person said 'What ever happened to Matthew Butler'?? The next week Matt was back on the screens! He was reunited with Bob Carolgees and Lenny Bennett was also on the show. They showed Bright Eyes. It was the first of many more TV and radio appearances.

Local radio stations would occasionally contact Matt for some banter and he appeared in local newspapers frequently.

The Frank Skinner show came next. A secret surprise for CT organised by Frank and his researchers. Matt was secretly moved into the studio and then surprised CT after they showed a clip of BRIGHT EYES. Matt and CT had many beers after the show and had a damn good time talking about the old days!!

Matt's Mom passed away in 2004 after a brave battle against cancer. She was Matt's inspiration for all things Tiswas and just loved him hopping back into the lime light. Matt's song was played at her funeral which made that song such a special song for Matt. Matt's mom always loved it and was so proud of him. Matt misses her everyday.

In early in 2007 Matt was contacted by ITV and asked if he would like to appear on Tiswas Reunited. Matt had a new rabbit suit constructed based on Sally James suit that Pauline made back in 1981. Matt jumped at the chance to appear on prime TV and the show was an absolute cracker. Matt made his reappearance in his new suit and it went down a storm. Matt was very touched at the response the song got and he managed to raise a few smiles with his new costume!!!

Matt says 'TISWAS is always in the background waiting to resurface and make me famous for a day. I have enjoyed a very odd life but one that I will always keep me smiling. One day I will write a book. My ambition would be to get the song re released and raise some money for charity'.

Maybe one day!

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